Denis Ablyazin in flight, during his vault at yesterday's qualifying. Picture by Elena Mikhailova, courtesy of the RGF The Russian team sits in second place in team qualifying behind the British team after a hot and cold performance on the first day of senior competition at the European Championships in Montpelier. Five gymnasts selected for their event finals potential provided fans with highlights and lowlights, the highlights including Denis Ablyazin’s highly acrobatic floor routine and dynamic vaulting which currently lead the scoring on these two events. Also qualified in first place on high bar is Emin Garibov, with Alexander Balandin sitting in second place on rings. Gympower has caught a video of Ablyazin's floor, and of course I am sceptical. The tumbling is impressive - such a lot of it, and well performed as far as can be seen. But is this really gymnastics? What do you think? Is this th...
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.