FIG World Challenge Cup 2019 in Minsk
About 200 athletes from 32 countries are competing for medals at the 2019 FIG World Challenge Cup in Minsk. The competitions are being held at the Rhythmic Gymnastics Palace on 16-18 August.
The Belarusian national team comprises Katsiaryna Halkina and Anastasia Salos, and also the group of Anastasiya Rybakova, Karyna Yarmolenka, Arina Tsitsilina, Hanna Shvaiba, Hanna Haidukevich and Aryna Sushchynskaya.
The competitions in Minsk feature many well-known gymnasts, including many-time world champions Dina Averina and Arina Averina, two-time champion of the 2nd European Games, medalist of world championships Linoy Ashram of Israel, medalists of world championships Neviana Vladinova and Boryana Kaleyn of Bulgaria, Italy’s Milena Baldassarri and Alexandra Agiurgiuculese, Kaho Minagawa of Japan, and Ukraine’s Vlada Nikolchenko.
At a press conference head coach of the Belarusian national team Irina Leparskaya praised full readiness of the Rhythmic Gymnastics Palace for the tournament. “Very soon we will be able to see that this center can host highly prestigious competitions. Coming here, every athlete understands that her supreme goal is the Olympic Games. The competitions in Minsk will help Katsiaryna Halkina and Anastasia Salos (Alina Harnasko and Yulia Yevchik will be in reserve) test their strength, see what they are capable of, then go to the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Baku and earn the 2020 Tokyo berths,” she said.
Last year, Belarus won one gold, one silver and five bronze medals.
On picture: Katsiaryna Halkina (Belarus)
