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Young Talent Emerges - 2011 Spartakiada

A photo report on the recent Spartakiada (held in Penza, 27 June-4 July) can be found on the Russian Federation's site.  This is an opportunity for young gymnasts to make a name for themselves and test their skills ahead of the important international competitions in particular, a competition between Russia and China which is due to take place between 4th and 8th July.

Full results of the competition can be found here.  Muscovite Evgeniya Shegulnova emerged as the strongest at this competition, winning both the all around qualifications and finals as well as the finals in vault, floor and balance beam, a speciality of hers (15.075).  Shegulnov was born on the 8th August 1997 and trains in Moscow with coaches Marinova and Tikhonova.

In the boy's competition, Andrei Logutov came first all around.

Competitions took place in two age categories, with the younger girls' competition being won by
Maria Bondareva (strongest on beam, 14.5) and the boys by Ivan Tikhonov.

Great to see a whole new generation of youngsters making their way up the Russian gymnastics tree.  Hopefully, this bodes well for the future, both girls and boys.

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