(MENAFN- Gulf Times) This week's FIG Artistic Individual World Cup in Doha will act as a dress rehearsal for the World Championships, which Qatar will host this October.
'This World Cup is very special for us as it will also serve as the test event for World Championships this year, Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) president and chairman of the organising committee Ali al-Hitmi said yesterday.
The Artistic Gymnastics World Cup will be held at the Aspire Dome from this Wednesday, March 21 to 24, with gymnasts from 39 countries competing for the honours. The QGF is confident of organising the best-ever championship, with an eye on the marquee event to be held later this year from October 25 to November 3
'All the preparations for the event have been completed and we are looking forward to a very successful edition this year, al-Hitmi said.
'We will leave no stone unturned to make it a blockbuster as it will give us huge confidence ahead of World Championships, the QGF president said.
Like every year, top gymnasts including World and Olympic champions will be in action over four days. The qualification rounds will be held on first two days of the championship, with eight best gymnasts making it to the finals and will strive for medals on the last two days of the competition.
The mouth-watering contest is expected between world champion Xiao Ruoteng of China and Japanese legend Kohei Uchimura, famously known as ‘King Kohei'.
Uchimura has won six world all-around titles and the last two Olympic all-around titles, the longest streak of dominance in gymnastics history. With both the top gymnasts eyeing wins heading into important year of World Championships, the battle between the two will be treat to watch for fans.
In addition, the oldest Olympic Gymnast, the 43-year-old Oksana Chusovitina from Uzbekistan will also be coming to Doha to defend her vault title she won last year. Besides, several other gymnasts have confirmed their participation for the contest.
As for Qatar, young gymansts Jana Kiki and Ahmed Nabil will represent the host country. Al-Hitmi said expressed hope that they will achieve good results, which will reflect the extent of the development of gymnastics in Qatar.
'Nabil is one of the exciting talents supported by the QGF and has won eight gold and two silver medals over the past three years in the various regional events. Kiki is also a promising gymnast who won two bronze medals during the Arab Youth Championships in Morocco in 2015, al-Hitmi said.
The al-Hitmi thanked the FIG for reposing its faith in Doha and lauded the great support provided by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, the president of the Qatar Olympic Committee.
'It's a great a moment to organise the 11th edition of the Gymnastics World Cup in Qatar. This one particular event had helped us win the bid for this year's FIG World Championships. I like to thank QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani for his support to host the competitions, said al-Hitmi.
Last updated: March 17 2018 11:58 PM
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