September 12, 2009
Discovering the Cute Angels of Rhythmic Gymnastics! (9th September, 2009)
Today, I have picked out pictures of some cute athletes among the delegations from the world.
For athletes of rhythmic gymnastics, elegance and beauty is a must in every performance. A vivid expression while dancing to the music, a natural smile during the performance, a cute moment, all these are attractive. Why not find your own cute angel!
PETRAKOVA (KAZ) PARADOWSKA (POL)
The ribbon, considered the symbol of rhythmic gymnastics, is 6 meters long and handling it correctly during a routine is very difficult. Athletes try to keep moving the ribbon mainly with rotating movements called pivots. The combined movements of the body and ribbon are fascinating.
KAPRANOVA (RUS) SILEIKYTE (LTU)
(C) LOC / EINS / Ｔ. ＹＡＭＡＤＡ
Russia’s march towards triumph continued. Although Kondakova let slip her apparatus, Kapranova contributed to her country with a passionate performance in a dark red leotard.
Beijing Olympic Queen Kanaeva entered in a gorgeous pink suit and presented a beautiful routine with new pivots (rotating technique) as well as high-level technical elements and unique handling of apparatus. Russia remains at the top of the team competition.
Runner-up Belarus was successful in keeping the 2nd position today with the unique Liubou and Melitina’s amazing skills and astonishing ending with the invisible catch of the apparatus. Ukraine follows in 3rd place.
The Japanese girls participated in ribbon. Inoue had to interrupt her routine because of a knot in her ribbon which also got tangled up at her feet. Onuki performed calmly, successfully presenting her fouette pivot. Hidaka’s dynamic performance and solid pivots, well transported by the music, got her 24.500 points and put the Japanese team in 10th position.
In today’s performance, mistakes in ribbon were prominent. There were many athletes who could not draw circles correctly, also quite a few interruptions due to knots.
Tomorrow will define the positions of each country and also the participants for the individual all-around competition. I hope that all participants will give their best in their last routine.
(by Kinuyo Takahashi)
