Zanetti qualifies with ease for final at World Challenge Cup

Qatar’s Ahmed al-Dayani performs in the Pommel Horse during the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup at the Aspire Zone in Doha yesterday.

By Sports Reporter/DohaThe eighth edition of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup began at the Aspire Zone yesterday with qualifications held on the first day of the championship. Around 123 gymnasts from 33 countries got down to business giving a glimpse of what to expect in the finals, to be held today and tomorrow.Among the star-studded line-up, all eyes were on Brazilian star Arthur Zanetti, the 2012 Olympic and 2013 World champion on Still Rings. Zanetti hit the right notes straightaway, with a staggering performance to finish with 15.750 points and qualify in the first place. However, he will face tough challenge for the gold medal, with Armenian’s Davtyan Vahagn displaying ominous form yesterday.  Vahagn finished just 0.30 points shy of his Zanetti to set-up a mouth-watering clash. Andrei Muntean of Romania qualified third and is also strong prospect for the final. The 2005 and 2007 World champion in Floor Exercise, Diego Hypolito of Brazil also put in a good show tallying 15.400 points, with some tight and clean landings. American Jacob Dalton showed commendable precision (15.350) as did Croatia’s Tomislav Markovic.In the Pommel Horse, it did not take long for Armenian Harutyum Merdinyan to put his talent on display with an eye-catching performance as he finished first in qualifying with 14.800 points. Azerbaijan Oleg Stepko was second with 14.750 points. In the Vault, Armenia’s Artur Davtyan was impressed with a 14.950 point finish and looks a good bet for gold medal. He was followed by Shotaro Shirai of Japan, Andrei Muntean of Romania, and Ferhat Arican of Turkey, who both tallied 14.525 points. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s Oleg Stepko edged out Colombian Jossimar Calvo by 0.05 difference for a top finish in the qualifying. Stepko difficult exercise routine fetched him 15.650 points. Romanian Marius Berbecar was third (15.350).In the Horizontal Bar, Danell Leyva of USA will be hard to beat in the final after he put in an excellent display yesterday. Leyva’s exercise was spot on as he ended with 15.250 points. Croatian Moznik Marijo, a bronze medallist in World Championship in Nanning, China last year came second. Meanwhile in the women’s, two-time European champion in Vault Giulia Steingruber dominated the qualification with 14.150 points. The Swiss will face tough challenge from Vietnam’s Thi Ha Thanh Phan, who came second, followed by Slovenian Teja Belak (13.850).Steingruber also impressed in Floor Exercise, tallying 14.300 points for a top spot. She was followed by Romanian Laura Jurca (13.800) and Portuguese Ana Filipa Martins. In the Uneven Bars, Martins was the first to start, but mucked up her landing with one-step and a touch of the hands. She still managed top spot with 12.400 points finish. Jurca also showed good execution (13.150). She was followed by Lucie Perdreau (13.050). In the Beam, Thi Ha Thanh PHAN was in class of her own as she topped the charts with 14.050 points. She was well ahead of second-placed Daniele Hypolito of Brazil.  Meanwhile, the Qatar Gymnastic Federation came in for high praise by the dignitaries attending the event. The visitors were impressed with facilities and hospitality of the championship, adding that the level of the competition is very high and extended their appreciation to Ali al-Hitmi, President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation and Chairman of the Organising Committee.