Daria Skrypnik became the standout individual gymnast today at the European Youth Olympics, taking a medal in every event - gold in team, all around and bars, bronze on beam and silver on vault and floor. In fact the Russian girls did very well, with every single gymnast earning a medal besides her team gold - Eremina a bronze on vault, and Ilyankova bronze in the all around and bars. An emerging team in this competition were Belgium and in particular rising star Axelle Klinckaert, who won both golds on this final day, on beam and floor, as well as the silver in the all around (very close - tie break with Skrypnik). In the men's event, I think it is fair to say that Britain had the upper hand, taking the team gold. Their leader was Joe Fraser who won the AA and parallel bars gold. Hamish Carter took silver on floor behind team mate Gianni Regini-Moran. It was quite a surprise, given his team's record on the piece, when Russia's elegant Alexander Sychugov wo...
Reporting and analysing Russian gymnastics since 2010. Includes original and exclusive interviews with leading coaches and gymnasts, and historical issues dating back to the Soviet Union. The first blog to report extensively on the sport using Russian language sources. I read, I argue, and I have opinions. Be warned.