Trampolin

18. September 2008

Togliatti, Russia

Trampoline

Last TRAMPOLINE WORLD CUP FINAL in Togliatti

Trampolin WORLD CUP
in Togliatti, Russia

* fig --: An air of revenge hangs over the upcoming 9^th and ultimate final on the Trampoline World Cup circuit to be held in Russia.

Chinese Olympic Champions Lu Chunlong and He Wenna are expected by the discipline's elite, who are planning their revenge.
On the start list, 14 nations and 61 gymnasts!

* About the very last World Cup Final ever, please read the
>> F.I.G. Press Release, Lausanne, 2008, Sep 17

Individual ...:
Obviously Irina Karavaeva (RUS) comes to mind; the gymnast will long remember her last Olympic rebound, the one that came at such a high price. She lost her Olympic medal and watched her coach Vitaly Dubko leave the competition area on the spot. Angry!
Then there's Henrik Stehlik (GER), whose misadventure crushed his Olympic dream. But he'll be back.

In Men's Synchro, it's hard to say with such an open line-up. The victory could easily go to the favourites. Germany, Japan, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and France are neck and neck, and this is just one more final for the circuit's doyen German Knytchev (RUS) at the ripe old age of 35!

And though the Canadians and Russians take the cake for popularity in the Women's competitions, the Ukrainians look exceptionally promising and the Belarusians wield unbeatable experience. Here again, anything can happen.

Togliatti will not be without its tumblers. Krylov (RUS), Wadecki (POL) and Artemenko (BLR) will have to keep an eye on the great Pan Huanian (CHN), who will be looking to follow in the footsteps of his Olympic champion compatriots and take a Gold. In Women's, all eyes are on Anna Korobeynikova (RUS), Emily Smith (CAN) and Olena Chabanenko (UKR), whose extensive experience could make all the difference.

A show is in the making on the banks of the Volga, a final stage on the busy 2008 calendar, and much deserved rest for many an athlete. As decided by the FIG, the Togliatti Final is the last of its kind. After this, Trampoline will crown an annual world champion, with the exception of Olympic years.
* Source: fig press releease, Sep 12