Keeping Balls in the Air, and Maybe a Ribbon and Rope Too
DELHI, India (October 11) - Rhythmic gymnastics coach Svetlana Joukova (Richmond Hill, ON), is very clear.
“You always want to fight for the gold,” she says quickly after the question was posed. “Standing on the podium is the ultimate goal.”
Rhythmic team practices on the podium on Monday
Martincek, Mantcheva, and Chamilova the rhythmic gymnastics team for Delhi
With the rhythmic gymnastics competition starting Tuesday, Canada is poised to be top three in the team competition, with results from Tuesday’s start then determining the all-around finalists, as well as the individual apparatus final entries. Athletes Mariam Chamilova (Maple, ON), Demetra Mantcheva (Richmond, BC) and Alexandra Martincek (Toronto, ON), say they are ready to give it their all.
Main competitors include Australia and England for the team competition and individual gymnasts from different countries for the all-around and apparatus finals depending on the top eight ranked on their scores. All routines are performed to music, using one of four hand apparatus which include rope, hoop, ball or ribbon. Gymnasts perform routines in front of a panel of judges, who evaluate the performance based on artistic value, technical value and execution. All of Canada’s three gymnasts will perform and all scores will count for the team final.
“Clubs are my favourite,” says Mantcheva. “But they aren’t an apparatus at the Games, so I also like the rope.”
The team originally included Nerissa Mo (Vancouver, BC), but she had to pull out due to an injury. Alexandra Martincek stepped in through a whirlwind process, and is here to give her all.
“I feel a little overwhelmed,” says Martincek. “I was suddenly on a plane.”
Coach Joukova feels good about the team here in Delhi.
“They are a very responsible and experienced team,” says Joukova. “This will make a difference in our chances. They are also very supportive of each other.”
All three echoed teammate Mariam Chamilova’s comments about competing at their first Commonwealth Games.
“With rhythmic Gymnastics, I get to travel around the world, meet different people and experience different cultures,” said Chamilova.
As of tomorrow, a whole new crop of worldwide fans will meet them as well.
