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27. September 2003
Baku / Budapest
Rhythmic Gymnastics
26. RG-WCh: Alina Kabaeva is World Champion
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The medallists - 1st Kabaeva, |
The individual all-around final of the 26th RG World Champs in Budapest is over.
It has been a very exciting final and in the end Alina Kabeva (RUS/ 106.475) has been the winner in front of Anna Bessonova (UKR/ 106.150) and Irina Tchachina (RUS/ 105.775). Bessonova dropped the ball once at the end of her first routine but apart from that presented an extraordinary competition and was celebrated loudly by the crowd. Kabaeva, who had already been all-around World Champion in 1999, now is the most successful participant of these Championships, she had already won the apparatus titles with ball and ribbon before.
Title holder Tamara Yerofeeva only reached the 14th place.
The „Prix d’Elegance“ which is being awarded by the company Longines at each World Championship has been received by Almudena Cid from Spain.
It has been a very exciting final and in the end Alina Kabeva (RUS/ 106.475) has been the winner in front of Anna Bessonova (UKR/ 106.150) and Irina Tchachina (RUS/ 105.775). Bessonova dropped the ball once at the end of her first routine but apart from that presented an extraordinary competition and was celebrated loudly by the crowd. Kabaeva, who had already been all-around World Champion in 1999, now is the most successful participant of these Championships, she had already won the apparatus titles with ball and ribbon before.
Title holder Tamara Yerofeeva only reached the 14th place.
The „Prix d’Elegance“ which is being awarded by the company Longines at each World Championship has been received by Almudena Cid from Spain.
Tonight's big star - Anna Bessonova
This final result is not undisputable – at least for the audience Anna Bessonova has been the true World Champion. The only reason for putting her on the second place could have been the one small drop of the apparatus she had in her ball routine. However, Alina Kabaeva also made mistakes. It has been a classy duel between Kabaeva and Bessonova and this says a lot about the strong nerves of these two gymnasts and their professionalism.
The permanent “Bessonova” chants of the audience may remind a bit of the European Championships in Saragossa where the audience had seen Elena Vitrichenko as being disadvantaged by the judges.
Since then a lot had been done to get more objective scores. This might have worked out in many respects but nonetheless RG is at a point where it is not explainable anymore. And this is not very beneficial for the sport, this has been shown tonight and in general during these whole Championships.
The permanent “Bessonova” chants of the audience may remind a bit of the European Championships in Saragossa where the audience had seen Elena Vitrichenko as being disadvantaged by the judges.
Since then a lot had been done to get more objective scores. This might have worked out in many respects but nonetheless RG is at a point where it is not explainable anymore. And this is not very beneficial for the sport, this has been shown tonight and in general during these whole Championships.
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Alina Kabaeva (RUS) |
The duel for gold – pure tension
The finish of this all-around could not have started more excitingly. Top-favourite Anna Bessonova as last gymnast in group A celebrates a very beautiful ball routine, she plays with the ball, presents pirouettes for which every dancer would be envious, every little detail seems to be perfect – and then the ball rolls away in her final pose… For one moment the 4.000 spectators in the audience have been totally quiet. At least the ball remains on the carpet and so she receives the score of 26.025 and manages to stay close to Kabaeva.
2nd rotation: Anna Bessonova with her new clubs routine, full of power, speed and risk – this young woman is incredible: she presents this routine absolutely perfectly, sovereign from the beginning to the end and technically she definitely is ahead of all other competitors, but the judges don’t let her in front of Kabaeva: 26.600.
The finish of this all-around could not have started more excitingly. Top-favourite Anna Bessonova as last gymnast in group A celebrates a very beautiful ball routine, she plays with the ball, presents pirouettes for which every dancer would be envious, every little detail seems to be perfect – and then the ball rolls away in her final pose… For one moment the 4.000 spectators in the audience have been totally quiet. At least the ball remains on the carpet and so she receives the score of 26.025 and manages to stay close to Kabaeva.
2nd rotation: Anna Bessonova with her new clubs routine, full of power, speed and risk – this young woman is incredible: she presents this routine absolutely perfectly, sovereign from the beginning to the end and technically she definitely is ahead of all other competitors, but the judges don’t let her in front of Kabaeva: 26.600.
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Irina Tchachina - today's bronze medallist |
It is a really exciting final: The answer on Kabaeva’s clubs routine is a sparkling ribbon fireworks by Anna Bessonova, again without mistakes – but the judges still see her behind Kabaeva…
Alina Kabaeva had to start with the hoop, not really her favourite apparatus. She fights well through the routine to “Carmen” but makes small mistakes and sometimes not totally clean elements. – Nonetheless, her contact to the audience is unmatched! With the ball she then has problems with several pirouettes which she can’t finish completely and she has to undertake a few “rescue operations” to catch the ball; this hasn’t been a perfect presentation. Nonetheless, it is a very difficult routine. Kabaeva has a lot of experience: She doesn’t show any nerves and presents a very good clubs routine with several “Kabaeva- elements”, without any mistakes or wobbles! - And she finishes the competition with the ribbon even better, presents a really sovereign routine - this shows why she has already won the title with this apparatus two days ago!
Finally the last routine of this all-around final, Anna Bessonova with her 'Swan Lake' interpretation in her hoop routine: She presents it perfectly, accompanied by the audience, which celebrates her minutes-long after the routine...
Alina Kabaeva had to start with the hoop, not really her favourite apparatus. She fights well through the routine to “Carmen” but makes small mistakes and sometimes not totally clean elements. – Nonetheless, her contact to the audience is unmatched! With the ball she then has problems with several pirouettes which she can’t finish completely and she has to undertake a few “rescue operations” to catch the ball; this hasn’t been a perfect presentation. Nonetheless, it is a very difficult routine. Kabaeva has a lot of experience: She doesn’t show any nerves and presents a very good clubs routine with several “Kabaeva- elements”, without any mistakes or wobbles! - And she finishes the competition with the ribbon even better, presents a really sovereign routine - this shows why she has already won the title with this apparatus two days ago!
Finally the last routine of this all-around final, Anna Bessonova with her 'Swan Lake' interpretation in her hoop routine: She presents it perfectly, accompanied by the audience, which celebrates her minutes-long after the routine...
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5th ranked Elisabeth Paisieva (BUL) |
Almost a bit overshadowed by this duel were the other gymnasts in this group: Irina Tchachina who presented a very good competition and managed to secure herself the bronze medal. For her clubs routine she received the second 27-score of the day (the other one was for Bessonova’s hoop routine)
Inna Shukova, once again on the ungrateful 4th place with a steady competition. Probably the most beautiful of her routines is the one with the ball, with which she had already won a bronze medal in the apparatus final three days ago. But today she drops the ball once, only a small mistake but unusual for her with this apparatus.
Elisabeth Paisieva unfortunately with major problems during her usually so beautiful ribbon routine which is always well-liked by the audience. One very interesting combination during her hoop routine will be remembered, after two front- walkovers she catches the previously thrown ribbon with the body while lying on the floor.
Inna Shukova, once again on the ungrateful 4th place with a steady competition. Probably the most beautiful of her routines is the one with the ball, with which she had already won a bronze medal in the apparatus final three days ago. But today she drops the ball once, only a small mistake but unusual for her with this apparatus.
Elisabeth Paisieva unfortunately with major problems during her usually so beautiful ribbon routine which is always well-liked by the audience. One very interesting combination during her hoop routine will be remembered, after two front- walkovers she catches the previously thrown ribbon with the body while lying on the floor.
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Tamara Yerofeeva (UKR) |
10 nations had two participants in today’s all-around final: POL, ITA, ISR,CHN, ESP, UKR, GRE, BUL, RUS, BLR.
Group B ususally shouldn’t be the correct start for Tamara Yerofeeva, the title holder. She made mistakes in the qualification but, compared to other gymnasts, was punished too hard for them by the judges.
She started restrained today with the ribbon, obviously thinking about bringing the routine safely to the end. For her hoop routine at this WCh’s she has “reactivated” her former music from the “Terminator” soundtrack with which she had thrilled many fans around the World. She presented it perfectly today – and only received the score of 22.400. In order to receive really high scores she would need more difficulties in her routine but if you need theoretical explanations why you shouldn’t like this routine, there obviously is something wrong with the judging regulations…
A great final for her WCh’s presentation then was her clubs routine for which she was celebrated loudly by the audience. She received the score of 21.525 for this routine…
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Almudena Cid has been awarded as being the most elegant gymnast |
A lot of cheers from the audience also for Almudena Cid with the clubs. Also after her ball routine she was celebrated by the audience- she really is a gymnast with a lot of expression. As with the scores for Yerofeeva, the audience also was quite angry about Almudena’s low score (21.350).
The other Spanish gymnast, whirlwind Jennifer Colino, presented her routines today full of speed and spirit. Her best performances were clubs and hoop. After she finished the competition a lot of stuffed animals were thrown onto the carpet – she will have difficulties to carry them all home…
A surprise also the rocky ball routine of China’s Ling Zhong – a routine like that has not been expected by a Chinese gymnast and not with the apparatus ball at all… Well presented and the audience liked it.
The other Spanish gymnast, whirlwind Jennifer Colino, presented her routines today full of speed and spirit. Her best performances were clubs and hoop. After she finished the competition a lot of stuffed animals were thrown onto the carpet – she will have difficulties to carry them all home…
A surprise also the rocky ball routine of China’s Ling Zhong – a routine like that has not been expected by a Chinese gymnast and not with the apparatus ball at all… Well presented and the audience liked it.
Good debut for Lisa!
Lisa Ingildeeva has presented herself very well in her WCh’s debut. Despite of a few smaller mistakes the only 14-year old gymnast from Germany has managed to finish her routines courageously and with a lot of expression. After the second group has finished its' competition it is certain that she will be among the top 12 in this all-around final. 'Except for a few small things I am very happy with myself today”, said Lisa. ”I have been very excited today, my leges were quite shaky before the start of the competition”. And indeed she can be happy with herself – a really good WCh’s debut!
Lisa Ingildeeva has presented herself very well in her WCh’s debut. Despite of a few smaller mistakes the only 14-year old gymnast from Germany has managed to finish her routines courageously and with a lot of expression. After the second group has finished its' competition it is certain that she will be among the top 12 in this all-around final. 'Except for a few small things I am very happy with myself today”, said Lisa. ”I have been very excited today, my leges were quite shaky before the start of the competition”. And indeed she can be happy with herself – a really good WCh’s debut!
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Great debut for Lisa Ingildeeva (GER) |
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Also spotted in the audience: former artistic gymnastics World Champion Jurij Chechi (ITA) |
Short notes from the WCh's
Many famous faces can be spotted at this event - and not only RG gymnasts but also artistic gymnasts like Igor Korobchinski, now head of the Ukrainian federation, or Jurij Chechi who has travelled to Budapest with the Italian federation. In addition to them the longtime head of the men's TC, Karl-Heinz Zschoke (GER), is on site.
Famous RG gymnasts in the Sports Arena are among others Maria Gigova (BUL), Larissa Lukianenko (BLR), Irina Deriugina (UKR), Birgit Schielin (AUT).
>> I M P R E S S I O N S (1) , Galery of GYMmedia Photographer Dirk Zimmermann
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