DOHA CHALLENGE CUP – Azi, ultima zi a finalelor

Cea de a 6-a editie a Concursului International de la Doha, inclus pentru a doua oara in FIG Challenge Cup, se incheie azi in Aspire Dome din Capitala Qatarului, in programul dupa-amiezii figurand concursul masculin la sarituri, paralele, bara si cel feminin la sol si barna, in patru finale fiind prezenti si reprezentantii nostri, plecandu-se din pozitia de favoriti, cel putin la podium, daca nu chiar la castigarea aparatelor, cu Marius Berbecar (paralele), Larisa Iordache (sol, barna), Diana Bulimar (sol) si Flavius Koczi (sarituri).
In intrecerile fetelor, Larisa Iordache si Diana Bulimar (si la editia din 2012 pe pozitia secunda, dupa Catalina Ponor) s-au aflat, in ordine, pe primele doua locuri in calificarile de la sol, pastrand sansa de a urca din nou pe aceste trepte ale podiumului, ambele fiind prezente si la barna, Larisa plecand de pe locul 2 (dupa Siqi Zheng), iar Diana de pe 8.
La randul sau, Marius Berbecar are dificila misiune, dar si capacitatea, de a-si pastra pozitia de lider al concursului la paralele, avand in gimnastii asiatici, in special, adversari deosebit de puternici, in timp ce Flavius Koczi, castigatorul solului din ziua intai a finalelor, va evolua la sarituri, aparat pe care il stapaneste bine si la care trebuie sa reaminteasca faptul ca este campion European 2012.
Nu s-au stins inca ecourile intrecerilor din ziua de deschiderre a finalelor, zi in care Flavius Koczi a terminat invingator la sol, iar Larisa Iordache a fost pe treapta a doua la sarituri, in finale fiind prezenti, de asemenea, si Andrei V. Muntean (inele) si Diana Bulimar (paralele). O scurta trecere in revista a articolelor din presa de specialitate, cele mai multe insotite de fotografiile gimnastilor nostri, aduc in prim-plan evolutiile gimnastilor romani:

…“Coached by world and Olympic champion Marius Urzica, two-time Romanian Olympian Flavius Koczi won the men’s floor title. Koczi, who also won in La-Roche-Sur-Yon, tumbled all twisting passes but no double saltos: 2 1/2 to Rudi; 1 1/2 to double-twisting front; 3 1/2 twist to punch front full; triple twist” (Amanda Turner – International Gymnast Magazine).

…“Vietnam’s Phan Thi Ha Thanh, the bronze medalist on women’s vault at the 2011 World Championships, won gold in the final with a clean double-twisting Yurchenko and a layout Rudi (short landing but stood up). Romania Olympian Larisa Iordache took second with a double-twisting Yurchenko and simple Tsukahara full… (” (Amanda Turner – International Gymnast Magazine).
…”The silver medal winner (…vault…) was Larisa Iordache – with a double twisting Yurchenko and – surprise – a brand new full twisting Tsukahara. I love that Octavian Bellu decided to let Larisa compete the Tsuk full. Sure, it is not as crisp as her double twisting Yurchenko – yet! – but it is something worth showing. Her little celebratory hops after she landed that vault were priceless too… (Amanda Turner – International Gymnast Magazine)
…“Predictably, the vault title was decided between Steingruber, Phan and Iordache. It was a very balanced final with some spectacular vaults. A big plus was that most of the gymnasts also demonstrated great technique… The Romanians Diana Bulimar and Larisa Iordache placed 5th and 6th respectively (Iordache tied with Siqi Zeng). Both had rather low difficulty, of 5.5, although Iordache lost 2 tenths in difficulty compared to her routine in qualifications. Bulimar clearly improved her execution compared to her first day and scored half a point higher. Iordache, on the other hand, had a much weaker showing and scored about eight tenths less than in the previous day… So, at this point, neither of them is exactly consistent on this apparatus… But, before jumping to drastic conclusions let’s remember that they only started to train using grips in September 2012. Diana Bulimar was reported to have an especially hard time adjusting to the new equipment. Given the circumstances, I guess it’s good that they at least are able to safely execute (more or less) all of their old skills. Given that gymnastics is a sport of repetitions, things could have been much worse in these early stages…” (The Couch Gymnast – Bea Gheorghisor)

…”Iordache is Back! … Romanian star Larisa Iordache has finally made her 2013 competition debut, competing this weekend in Quatar at the Doha World Challenge Cup. Iordache won a silver medal in the vault final with a double twisting yurchenko and a new tsukahara layout full. Iordache will compete for gold tomorrow in the balance beam and floor finals, qualifying in the top two on both events… There were no big surprises on the men’s side. 10-time European medalist Flavius Koczi of Romania edged out Arthur Nory Oyakawa Mariano of Brazil for the floor title thanks to his superior 6.50 D score…” (Gymnastike)

Si doua informatii:
– Conform celor declarate de presedintele Federatiei de Gimnastica din Qatar, a fost depusa candidatura pentru organizarea editiei 2018 a Campionatelor Mondiale de Gimnastica Artistica.
– Qatarul este prima tara care a primit noul “Antwerp Apollo Floor”, suprafata destinata concursului la sol realizata de Janssen Fritsen, cunoscuta companie producatoare de echipament pentru gimnastica. Noua suprafata este diferita de celelalte, mult mai elastica, ajutand gimnastii sa efectueze sarituri mai inalte, in deplina siguranta a sanatatii. “Este un produs perfect, care ajuta dezvoltarea gimnasticii si formarea unei noi generatii de performeri”, a declarat Thierry Deleuze, manager de productie al companiei.

Foto: www.dohagym.com