UAE gymnasts high on morale and medals

India's Anushka Chitnis performs the Appartus Routine at Al Habtoor Tennis Academy on Saturday.

The UAE gymnasts ticked all the right boxes on the second day of the First International Emirates Cup of Rhythmic Gymnastics in Al Habtoor City.
At the end of the second day's proceedings, which extended late into the night, UAE won 10 medals out of 27 on offer in various categories.
Apart from 6-year-old Lamia Tariq Malallah's gold-winning feat (free hand, born between 2011-13), Albina Ibragimova (gold in ball performance, born between 2005-06 category), Abigail Scanlon (gold in ribbon, bronze in ball performance, born between 2002-04), Lasmin Al Baiari (gold in clubs performance, born between 2007-08), Angela Schudella (silver in all around, born after 2011 category) were the notable performers for the UAE.
Organised by Brands & Trends and the Dubai Youth Olympic School Ryhthmic Gym, the five-day event is being held under the aegis of the General Authority and Youth and Sports Welfare and Dubai Sports Council. It has seen Level 3 gymnasts slugging it out for the glory in five age groups. Besides powerhouse Russia, the competition has attracted 370 entries from 24 countries including hosts, the UAE. The hosts have been represented by Dubai Youth Olympic School of Rhythmic Gymnastics, Aspire Gymnastics Dubai, Little Stars Gymnastics Club in Abu Dhabi and DNA.
Lamia's coach Ksenia Dzhalaganiya, also the founder and head coach of the Dubai Youth Olympic School of Rythmic Gymnastics, was delighted with UAE's performance.
"This is a remarkable performance considering that upcoming gymnasts from all around the world are taking part in the event. Ten medals for the UAE, we couldn't have asked for more. This showing will further increase the awareness of this girls-only discipline in the UAE and also help the country to host future events thereby cementing its place in the world of sports," Dzhalaganiya told Khaleej Times.
The third day saw 22 medals to be won, but with no UAE gymnast taking part, the proceedings were reduced to academic interest. Russia had practically swept all the medals in the three categories on Saturday night.
ramdas@khaleejtimes.com
The next two days will feature a Master Class from Rio Olympics gold medalist Margarita Mamum with her coach Irina Zaripova guiding her.