TAMBLING

JUMPS ON THE ACROBATIC TRACK IN AZERBAIJAN

Jumping on the trampoline or acrobatic track was previously within the structure of acrobatic gymnastics. But all the three disciplines became separate sports disciplines in 2000.

Today, tumbling already has its own traditions and is gaining popularity along with other gymnastics disciplines in Azerbaijan. Trainings on this sports discipline are mainly conducted at Baku Gymnastics School where modern acrobatic track, meeting international standards, is installed. At the same time, a work on development of tumbling in other sports centers in Baku as well as in Shabran is being carried out.

Azerbaijani sportsmen are steady participants of all last European and World Championships, as well as Age Group Competitions.

At present, a junior Mikhail Malkin, who participated at the World Age Group Competitions in St. Petersburg in 2009, has achieved the best result. A 13-year-old representative of Baku Gymnastics School, who made his debut on the world forum, managed to reach the final where took the highest 6th place. He, like his older team-mates Said Salimov and Hafiz Rzayev, became the prize-winners of different international events.

According to Arif Gafarov, the head coach of the Azerbaijani national team in tumbling, the proficiency level of sportsmen is improving from year to year and a number of people engaged in this sports discipline will be increased in future.