Incredible performances in first European Cup
Very supportive of each other on social media, they embraced after their scores were announced.
In a perfect preparation for the Oceania Championships, Jewish Melburnian Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva achieved PB scores and an outstanding top 10 placing, in the inaugural Rhythmic Gymnastics European Cup, in her training base of Baku, Azerbaijan, last weekend.
Israel also shone, winning five medals in this innovative new event, which after a qualifying round in all four apparatuses, shifted into one-on-one ‘cross battles’ between athletes making the top 16, top, 8, top 4 and top 2.
Israel won golds in the group all-around and group ‘5 hoops’ competitions, while individual bronze medals were earned by Israel’s Daniella Monitz in ball and Daria Atamanov in ribbon.
Atamanov also came fourth in clubs and made the top 8 in hoop, after facing Kiroi-Bogatyreva in a memorable top 16 cross battle.
Very supportive of each other on social media, they embraced after their scores were announced, with Atamanov prevailing by 36.850 to 32.550.
Kiroi-Bogatyreva, 22, finished her flawless routine with precision, catching a falling hoop only with her right foot, while in a sitting position.
Her final all-around position was an excellent 10th out of 56 athletes, from 37 nations.
Bulgarian Stiliana Nikolova was the tournament champion, Italian Sofia Raffaeli came second and Atamanov third.
Commenting on social media, Kiroi-Bogatyreva, said, “This competition was nothing short of revolutionary, with its unique cross final format,” adding she was proud of her results, as the only non-European representative.
“I also set new PB records,” she added, thanking her coaches and everyone who has offered support.
Selected to represent Australia at the Oceania championships from May 22-26 – oddly to be held in Hungary – she will need to miss the Australian Championships for the first time in 15 years, due to the latter being held this year from May 10-22 in the Gold Coast.
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