Azerbaijan Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship winners named

The winners of the 20th Azerbaijan Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship which was held in Ismayill were named on November 19, Azernews reported.The gymnasts competed for medals in individual and in all-around performances.Some 16 gymnasts, both adults and children ages 12-15 took part in the competition.Among the children, the first place went to Jala Piriyeva, while Zuleykha Ismayilova took the second place, and Beyza Demir took the third place.Among the adults, the first place went to Marina Durunda, the second place went to Lala Yusifova and Ayshan Bayramova took the third place.Marina Durunda, the holder of the first place among adults expressed her satisfaction at Ismayilli`s warm greeting and thanked the city for the cheerful reception of their performance. "Now our main goal is to be number one not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the international arena. This is exactly what our efforts will be directed at," she said."I think I still need to work on myself and reach my full potential. As you know, it is the end of the season. We will work on new ideas, new exercises. I believe the next step will be the European Championship which we'll be held in Baku," winner of the second place Lala Yusifova said.Along with the gymnasts of the Republican comprehensive sports school and Baku Flames club, the representatives of Baku Gymnastics School and Neftchi, Spartak, and Sarhadchi clubs also took part at the event.Rhythmic gymnastics was particularly boosted after Azerbaijani First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva became the president of Azerbaijan's Gymnastics Federation in 2002 and involved herself in developing and popularizing gymnastics sports disciplines in Azerbaijan.Three World Cup events (2003, 2004 and 2005), the World Championships (2005), two European Championships (2007, 2009) and several International competitions in rhythmic gymnastics were organized in Baku. Azerbaijani gymnasts became European Champions, won medals at the World Championships, and participated in Olympic Games.One of the objectives of the Federation is the development of gymnastics not only in Baku but also in different Azerbaijani regions. By opening several gymnastic centers outside the capital in the last few years, the gymnasts have produced great results as part of this program for Azerbaijan.Along with local organizations, AGF is also an affiliated member of International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and European Union of Gymnastics (UEG).Azerbaijan has produced many famous talented gymnasts including Valery Belenky, Aliya Garayeva, Anna Gurbanova, Dinara Gimatova, etc.ANN.Az