Qatari teenager Raslen Saoud in action in yesterday’s qualifying round of the pommel horse during the opening day of the FIG ART Individual Apparatus World Cup at Aspire Dome in Doha. PICTURES: WASFY
Reigning world champion Nina Derwael and rising star Carlos Yulo displayed dominating performance in the qualifying rounds of FIG ART Individual Apparatus World Cup which started in Doha, yesterday.
The opening day of four-day competition saw gymnasts in action in qualifying rounds of five events at the Aspire Dome.
Belgium’s Derwael, who is also the reigning European champion, continued her dominance in uneven bars as she topped the qualification after what seemed to be an effortless display that lent her 15.033 points. China’s Fan Yilin was second with 14.900 points while Russia’s Iliankova Anastasiia was third with 14.633 points.
Yulo continued his love-affair with Doha by finishing on top in men’s floor qualification round after a spectacular display.
The 19-year-old from the Philippines, who won a bronze medal in Doha in last year’s World Championships, accumulated 14.600 to finish ahead of Chinese star Xiao Ruoteng (14.533 points). Belgium’s Vrolix Jonathan was third with 14.500 points.
Turkish star Ahmet Onder also qualified for the floor final with a score of 14.233 points. Qatar’s Ahmed Mosa, who also featured in the event, claimed a respectable tally of 11.133.
Impressive debut for Qatar’s Raslen
Qatari youngster Raslen Saoud, 17, made an impressive World Cup debut after earning 11.666 points in pommel horse, finishing ahead of his senior teammate Ahmed Al Dayani, who secured 11.600 points. The duo failed to qualify for the final but both were satisfied with their performances.
“I have gained a lot of valuable experience and I am happy with my performance,” Raslen said after the qualification round yesterday.
“This event will give me a great deal of confidence in the future as I am looking forward to continue per-
forming for Qatar,” he added.
Al Dayani said he was content as he showed improvement in his performance in this year’s edition.
“My score is better than the previous World Cup. I am happy that I have showed improvement,” said Al Dayani.
“My next task is this year’s World Championships in Stuttgart and I will start preparing for that event after the World Cup,” he added.
Taepei’s Lee Chih Kai (15.166) won the qualification for pommel horse followed by Armenia’s Merdinyan Harutyun (14.966) and Japan’s Kameyama Kohei (14.916).
Paseka tops women’s vault qualification
Meanwhile, Russia’s Maria Paseka looked set for a women’s vault gold after she top the points table in qualification yesterday, earning 14.850 points after a flawless show. She was followed by America’s Jade Carey (14.833) and French-woman Coline Devillard (14.633).
World’s oldest Olympian Oksana Chusovitina, 43, who is targeting her record eighth appearance at the Olympic Games, also qualified for the final after scoring 14.183 points.
In men’s rings, China’s Lan Xingyu topped qualification with 15.166 followed by Armenian duo of Davtyan Vahagn (14.908) and Tovmasyan Artur (14.866).
The qualification rounds will continue today with men vying for finals of vault, parallel bars and horizontal bars. The female gymnasts will compete in qualification of balance beam and floor finals.
A total of 128 male and 60 female gymnasts from 57 countries are taking part in the annual contest, which will play a crucial role in qualification for next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
