Silver medal for rhythmic gymnast Aliya Garayeva
3.4.2012

Azerbaijani gymnast Aliya Garayeva has won silver for her performance with the ribbon in the Grand Prix tournament in the French town of Thiais.

Garayeva, who leads the Azerbaijani national team, was the only non-Russian to appear in the top three for the ribbon exercise.

Azerbaijan was less successful in the team event: they came only 11th in the qualifiers and did not make it through to the finals in Thiais.

Team coach Mariana Vasileva said the girls were not upset and were hoping for a more successful performance in the World Cup in Pesaro (Italy) on 13-15 April.

Azerbaijan's junior rhythmic gymnasts enjoyed success in the Alina international festival in Nizhnekamsk, Russia. They put on a display entitled "The Dolls" which was a hit with the audience and judges alike.

Jala Piriyeva, 12, topped her age group, while Gulsum Shafizade, born in 1998, came second in her group, and Mansura Bagiyeva, 15, came third in her age category.

News.Az