The Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championship of the Volga Federal District kicked off the previous day at one of the facilities of the Volga University of Sports and Tourism - the Gymnastics Centre. More than 70 athletes from ten regions competed for six sets of medals (team placing, individual all-round events and individual events). Reigning champion of Russia Yulia Nikolayeva, a student of a sports university, and Anastasia Artamonova, a representative of Samara Region, were among the competitors.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Aidar Kadyrov, head of the Sector for Preparation of the Athletic Reserve of the Ministry of Sport of the Republic of Tatarstan, wished each athlete to achieve a personal best on their way to new achievements in sport.
In turn, Marat Bariev, President of the Gymnastics Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan and head of the Olympic Council of the Republic, said that the start of this year's Gymnastics competition will be a big one. "Exactly in a month the Gymnastics Centre will be hosting the Russian Championship, that's why today's competition will be a dress rehearsal for you. I would like to thank our participant from Donetsk Republic who is taking part in our competitions for the first time. It's an honour and a big responsibility for us. Good luck to everyone and no injuries!" said Marat Bariev.
At the end of the solemn part the guests of honour presented a certificate and a badge of honour Master of Sport of Russia to the student of Povolzhsky University Yulia Nikolaeva.
As the result of the first competition day the national team of the Republic of Tatarstan won silver medals in the team championship and qualified for the Russian championship. Yulia Nikolayeva and Yulia Khorosh took the podium as part of the republican team. In addition, Ksenia Kuzmicheva and Anastasia Pizina won bronze medals in the Republic of Mordovia.
The competition will continue until February 10.
