Gymnastics
Three gymnasts from Team Belgym will participate in the finals of the World Cup in Cottbus this weekend.
In the qualifications on Friday, Nina Derwael and Erika Pinxten placed among the best eight on beam (final on Sunday at 2 p.m.).
Derwael received 13,700 in Cottbus (5.4 starting value), slightly more than last week at the World Cup in Cairo. Only now the competition was stronger. China’s Zhou Yaqin (14.533) and Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour (14.133) scored better, but they have already qualified for the Paris Olympics and will not lose any points anyway.
Derwael: “The score was better than in Cairo, but my practice was not. I was off to a good start, but I missed a connection. After that I had a bad start for my pirouettes and that’s why I decided to only do two instead of three. That’s why my starting value went from 5.6 to 5.4.”
Derwael is confident about qualifying for the Games: “Cairo has especially given me confidence and I felt that difference during training this week, I am now more confident. It is reassuring that I am on my way to that Olympic qualification. I’m not there yet, but we’re off to a good start and I still have my joker up my sleeve (only three of the four WB results count, ed.). I hope to be rid of it in three World Cups. Then I can prepare better for the European Championship.”
Erika Pinxten scored 13.333 on beam, exactly the same as Sweden’s Jennifer Williams. They were equal fifth and will return on Sunday.
Maellyse Brassart has also qualified, she will compete on bars again on Saturday. (mc)
