Markovic upstages Kosmidis to claim floor exercise gold
Croatia’s Tomislav Markovic created an upset when he upstaged defending champion Greece’s Eleftherios Kosmidis to bag gold medal of the floor exercise event at the second Artistic Gymnastics World Cup event at the Aspire Academy on Tuesday. Beijing Olympic silver medallist France’s Thomas Bouhail bagged the bronze medal.
It was a tight contest as Markovic (15.275 points) edged Kosmidis (15.125 points) by a wafer-thin margin of .150 points. Bouhail secured bronze with 15.100 points.
Markovic looked delighted with his medal-winning performance on Tuesday. Speaking to journalists after the event, Markovic said: “I am happy that I could win a gold medal during my second appearance in Doha. I knew it would be a tough competition when you are competing against the likes of Kosmidis and Bouhail.
“This is a world-class event and you don’t get a second chance if you make a mistake. I am happy with my overall effort today.”
Meanwhile, France captured two gold medals when Cyril Tommasone (15.775 points) and Danny Pinheiro-Rodrigues (16.125 points) won in the pommel horse and rings events respectively.
Russia’s Andrey Perevoznikov (15.075 points) bagged silver whereas Slovenia’s Saso Bertoncelj (15.050 points) clinched bronze medals in pommel horse respectively.
In rings, Italy’s Matteo Angioletti (15.525 points) claimed silver whereas Greece’s Eleftherios Petrounias (15.375) won bronze.
In the women’s events, Sweden’s Ida Jonsson (13.712 points) won the vault gold, while Slovakia’s Tjasa Kysselef (13.525 points) and Croatia’s Tijana Tkalcec (13.475 points) took silver and bronze, respectively.
Speaking to journalists, Ida said: “I was bit nervous before the final. I was not expecting to win a medal as I was sick before arriving in Doha. But, now I am excited and happy to win. This has come as a big boost to my career and I am now looking forward to win more medals in future.”
Bronze medallist Tijana of Croatia said, “I am very happy as I have won my first World Cup medal. I was not pleased with my first jump, but overall I am happy to win here. This is my first appearance here and I am impressed with facilities offered at the Aspire and looking forward to be here again.”
On the uneven bars, Germany’s Anja Brinker (14.625 points) edged France’s Pauline Morel (14.125 points) to claim gold. Germany’s Marie-Sophie Hindermann (13.975 points) finished third.
The competition concludes on Wednesday.
Results
Final
MEN
Floor:
1. Tomislav Markovic (Cro) 15.275;
2. Eleftherios Kosmidis (Gre) 15.125;
3. Thomas Bouhail (Fra) 15.100.
Pommel Horse:
1. Cyril Tommasone (Fra) 15.775;
2. Andrey Perevoznikov (Rus) 15.075;
3. Saso Bertoncelj (Slo) 15.050
Rings:
1. Danny Pinheoro-Rodrigues (Fra) 16.125;
2. Matteo Angioletti (Ita) 15.525;
3. Eleftherios Petrounias (Gre) 15.375.
WOMEN
Vault:
1. Ida Jonsson (Swe) 13.712;
2. Tjasa Kysselef (Slo) 13.525;
3. Tijana Tkalcec (Cro) 13.475.
Uneven Bars:
1. Anja Brinker (Ger) 14.625;
2. Pauline Morel (France) 14.125;
3. Marie-Sophie Hindermann (Ger) 13.975.
