Belgium and Russia to battle for gold in Acrobatic Gymnastics

The competition includes mixed pairs and women’s group.

Belgium's Ineke van Schoor, Julie van Gelder and Kaat Dumarey are favourites in the women’s group event.

The team won bronze at the 2014 world championship in Levallois, and recently took gold at a World Cup competition in Varna.

"Winning in Varna led to an incredibly happy feeling," Van Schoor said.

"Now we would really love to take three medals home from these European Games, preferably gold."

Yulia Nikitina, Zhanna Parkhometc and Valeriia Belkina of Russia are Belgium’s main rivals. They were second in Varna.

Russian coach Teimuraz Gurgenidze sees it differently, however, saying: "We are our only rivals."

"We came here to compete for the victory. There is no other choice."

In mixed pairs, the Russian 2014 world champion Marina Chernova will compete alongside her new partner Georgy Pataraya.

They will most likely battle for the medals with Belgium's Solano Cassamajor and Yana Vastavel, who finished fourth at the 2014 world championships.

Ryan Bartlett and Hannah Baughn of Great Britain should also challenge for medals, as they finished third at the World Cup in Varna.

Gymnasts compete two routines in qualifications: a balance and a dynamic routine.

From qualifications, the top six mixed pairs and groups advance to the balance, dynamic and all-around finals.

Six gold medals will be awarded in the Acrobatic Gymnastics competition: three for mixed pairs and three for women’s groups.

 

(baku2015.com)