On June 13, Fountain Square was transformed into a vibrant celebration of gymnastics as the first day of the 4th Baku International “Challenge” under the theme “Gymnastics for All” was held with great enthusiasm and excitement.

In addition to Azerbaijan, teams from Türkiye, Georgia, and Lithuania participated in the festival. Overall, around 900 participants representing 60 teams took part in the event. Azerbaijan was represented not only by teams from Baku but also by participants from various regions of the country.

As part of the festival, teams from Sierra Leone and Uganda also showcased their performances through video presentations, which attracted significant interest from both the judges and the audience.

The program began with a series of master classes designed for different age groups. Zumba, hip-hop, and traditional dance performances proved particularly popular among participants and spectators alike.

Participants demonstrated their skills in two age categories: under 50 and over 50. Regardless of age, all performances were met with great enthusiasm. The energy and dedication displayed by both young gymnasts and participants over the age of 50 received warm applause and admiration from the audience. The beautiful capital city was truly immersed in the spirit of gymnastics.

The festival officially opened with a spectacular parade from Baku Sports Palace to the main stage at Fountain Square. Accompanied by an orchestra, the procession, together with the teams’ performances on stage, created a lively and festive atmosphere for everyone in attendance.

The programmes presented by teams from different regions once again highlighted the festival’s broad geographical reach and impressive scale.

Throughout the day, spectators had the opportunity to participate in entertaining competitions, with winners receiving valuable prizes from AGF sponsor Smarton.

In the evening, popular singer Mardan Kazimov took the stage, further enhancing the festive atmosphere. His energetic and rhythmic performance was warmly welcomed by the audience.

At the conclusion of the first festival day, teams were awarded first, second, and third places based on the results of their performances.

Tomorrow, on the final day of the festival, participants will present a gala show, followed by an awards ceremony featuring various special nominations presented by the organizers.