Japan athlete shows new gymnastics element at FIG World Challenge Cup in Baku

Japanese gymnast Kenzo Shirai performed a new gymnastics element during a floor exercise event at the FIG World Challenge Cup in Artistic Gymnastics in Baku Feb. 19.

During the qualification event, he performed a double somersault with three spins, recently approved by the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) and named Shirai III, after the gymnast himself.

It is the first time that this gymnastics element is demonstrated at international level.

After the first rotation in floor exercises, Shirai ranks first with a score of 14,850.

The FIG World Challenge Cup in Artistic Gymnastics started in Baku on Feb. 19 and is to end Feb. 21. As many as 45 male and 22 female gymnasts will compete for medals in Apparatus Finals of the World Challenge Cup. In general, athletes from 19 countries will participate at the event.

Qualifications among men and women on the first two days of the competitions will be followed by Apparatus Finals on the last day.

/By Trend/