Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Denis Ablyazin with coach Valeri Starkin at Lake Krugloye this week.  Courtesy RIA Novosti More information on the Russian men's programme has been released after this week's press day at the national training centre, and much of it centres on opinions of the amazing Japanese floor specialist Kenzo Shirai . European Champion David Belyavski and Universiade Champion Nikolai Kuksenkov have now both commented favourably on the Japan athlete's prowess on floor, and his astounding difficulty.   'Shirai can perform on the floor mat, what others cannot even do on a trampoline', says Kuksenkov .  In competition so far this has included a quadruple twisting somersault and a mountain of other superior twisting skills in combination, although we must be careful to note the absence - to date - of any double somersaults in his work. Kuksenkov was quick to point out the relative ease with which a specialist on one piece can rise to the top of the sport, emphasising his ad...

Nikolai Kuksenkov, in training this week for Worlds at Lake Krugloye, has his painful hand treated.  RGF Lupita translates an interview with the Russian head coach, Valeri Alfosov: Nikolai Kuksenkov, the winner at the Universiade, has a finger injury [dislocated finger]; he might not compete on all events. 'When will the decision be taken?', asked Sovietski Sport ' In Antwerp, in the final training sessions', replied Alfosov. Kuksenkov thinks that this was a silly injury. He was training bars, and thinks it will be fine by the time that the World championships start. 'We are doing everything' he says. 'Have you seen the new 19 year old gymnast from Japan?' Alfosov replied, ' Kenzo Shirai? I saw his floor clip on the internet. He performs incredible elements in his routine: no double backs, only twists: four twists at the end, triple twisting front.'   David Belyavski has an ankle injury but will try to compete in Antwer...

Kenzo Shirai at one of many medal ceremonies yesterday Young Kenzo Shirai of Japan, winner of Friday's all around competition, confirmed his individual superiority at yesterday's Olympic Hopes competition by taking a further three gold medals in event finals : high bar (13.05; shared with Serbia's Ilic Gavrilo), floor (15.1) and vault (15.55).  He also took a silver medal on parallel bars (13.15), behind Russia's Kirill Potapov (14.1).  Elsewhere, Uzbekistan's Abdylla Azimov won pommel horse (14.1) and Russia's Igor Lemeshenko took Russia's second gold of the day on rings (13.6). Russia's Artur Dalaloyan enjoys his medals All four members of the Russian A team managed to medal, with Potapov performing most strongly (silver all around, gold on parallel bars and bronze on vault).  16 year old Artur Dalaloyan from Moscow gained a bronze on high bar and silver on floor, while Victor Britan achieved silver on vault and pommel horse in addi...