Within two days, the capital’s Olympic Sports Complex was placed at the disposal of gymnasts, who were competing in the 16th Baku Championship. But not only sportswomen of Baku demonstrated their skills, 8 gymnasts from Ganja also took part in the tournament in out-of-competition program.

It was also noticed by Ragif Abbasov, the head of the central administrative board of youth and sports of Baku who stated that gymnastics was increasingly developing in our country. “And Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, the president of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, has a great service in this progress,” he stated. “The rivalry for joining the national team’s main composition is growing, even among junior age groups presented in the tournament.”

The most interesting contest developed among sportswomen born in 1995-97. Receiving identical points and making identical mistakes, the leaders had been performing equally till the last performance with a ball. But tenacity and endurance was demonstrated only by one of them. In the end, Aysha Mustafayeva from “Trade Unions” became the winner, having received 60.975 points in the all-around. Yekaterina Prokopenko (Republican Complex Sports School) lost only 0.2 points to her, the third place – her club-mate Mansura Baghiyeva (58.585).

Nilufar Niftaliyeva from Baku Gymnastics School won the first place in the 1998-99 age group. She received 39.775 points from the judges. The second place was taken by Jannat Mammadova (“Trade Unions”) – 38.55 points, the third place – Mehbara Mansurova (“Trade Unions”) – 37.2 points.

Finally, Jala Piriyeva representing the Republican Complex Sports School won the first place in the youngest 2000-2001 age group. She received 34.25 points. The second place was taken by Laman Mammadova (“Trade Unions”) – 32.9 points, the third place – Nuray Sardarli (Baku Gymnastics School) - 30.95 points.

Next international tournament will be held in Estonia on February 19-22, where an Azerbaijani junior group team preparing for the European Championships (Baku, May) will perform. By the way, no one remained indifferent to the gymnasts’ composition with 5 ribbons accompanied by the Gypsy music. It should be noted that the group appeared before the audience for the first time within the framework of Baku championship.

And Gala performances of gymnasts from Bulgaria, who are taking part in the training camps in Baku, also added a special beauty and solemnity to Baku tournament.