Russia's golden haul continues in Kazan - updated with links to full results

Russia's strategy of sending its best MAG team to the Universiade in Kazan today paid off. All rounders Nikita Ignatyev, David Belyavski and Nikolai Kuksenkov put in a solid showing, supported by specialists Denis Ablyazin (floor, vault, rings) and Emin Garibov (pommels, parallel bars and high bar). Their performance must be one of the most consistent and solid by a Russia MAG team in a long time and shows the benefits of competing at home. Ukraine finished in second place, edging Japan by slightly more than two tenths.   Ukraine's Oleg Verniaiev finished all around qualification in first place, followed by Japan's Ryohei Kato and Ukrainian Oleg Stepko.  David Belyavski finished in fourth place with Nikolai Kuksenkov following closely behind.  Less than 1 point separates the top five qualifiers in the all around.

While the strength in depth of the MAG competition is reflected in a wider diversity of gymnasts qualifying in first place for finals (see below) than in the Russia-dominated WAG competition, the gymnasts undoubtedly flourished under the relaxed atmosphere at this competition.  It was a rather scanty video coverage offered by the FISU this afternoon; the cameras seemed more interested in the audience than in the gymnastics.  Ablyazin completed his 7.1 D value floor routine with only one error, a large step to the side after his double Arabian piked, and did his vaults (Tsukahara double and handspring layout front with double twist) without error.  The gymnasts seemed to perform very evenly both within the team and across the apparatus.  Every team member has qualified to apparatus finals, and there are two Russians appearing in every final except vault and high bar. 

Ablyazin and Belyavski have qualified to floor final in first and second place.  Verniaiev and Stepko lead pommels, where Kuksenkov has qualified in third place and Garibov in fifth; Brazil's Zanetti leads rings, with Ablyazin and Ignatyev in 2nd and fourth place respectively; Korea's Yang leads vault, with Ablyazin in second place; Verniaiev and Stepko again lead parallel bars, with Belyavski and Garibov in 4th and 6th place; and finally, Hambuechen leads high bar, with Garibov in second place. 

I enjoy the performances of the fiery Ukrainian duo of Stepko and Verniaiev, who look likely to win multiple medals across the apparatus, and their exciting compatriot Igor Radivilov has also qualified to vault and rings.  These gymnasts remind me so much of the old school Soviet gymnasts - arrogant and competitive in a good way, with a fearless attitude to risk.  Verniaiev's vault in the all around at the Europeans in Moscow was a real highlight, it exploded off the top of the horse.  All of their gymnastics is performed with such conviction and self belief, I cannot believe that one day these gymnasts will not achieve some very high honours.  Alongside the developing elan of the Russian team and of course the strength of the other established and developing powerhouses in men's gymnastics, including Great Britian, this promises much for the depth of the men's competition in Antwerp, which I am looking forward to almost more than the women's.

Team results

All Around results

Floor results
 
Pommel horse results 

Vault results

Vaults 1 and 2 results

Parallel bars results

High bar results