Gymnastics WC ends in Cairo with medalists eyeing Paris 2024

The 2024 Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus World Cup in Cairo concluded on Sunday evening with medalists taking a big step toward individual qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics, reported Xinhua.

Belgium made a 1-2 finish in the women's balance beam final, with Nina Derwael taking the gold with 13.633 points and Erika Pinxten sealing the silver with 13.166. Japan's Mana Okamura finished third with 13.133.

"I am very happy to get the first place now and take a good step in the direction of Paris," 23-year-old Derwael told Xinhua, adding praise for Pinxten who turns 17 on Wednesday.

"I am so proud of how she did and how she handled the stress in the beam final. She's such a great young inspiring gymnast and I see great things for her in the future," Derwael added.

It was a big day for 18-year-old Okamura, who also snatched the gold in floor exercise with 13.066 points.

Emma Malabuyo, representing the Philippines, took the floor exercise silver medal with 12.666 points, followed by Spain's Laura Casabuena with 12.633 points.

"I am honestly so happy and overwhelmed, and I am so grateful to be representing the Philippines and honored to bag this medal," said Malabuyo.

"My eye is on Paris, but the main goal is to enjoy this entire process, and just do my best and work really hard," the 21-year-old athlete told Xinhua.

As for the men's vault final, Armenia's 2022 World Champion Artur Davtyan, also the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, dominated his favorite event with a total score of 14.933.

Davtyan, 31, who had already qualified for Paris 2024, said participating in the Cairo event was still important to him "to stay in shape and keep fit."

"After every competition you gain a new experience, learn new things, and analyse your mistakes and work on them to improve your performance," Davtyan told Xinhua.

"I wish for gold in Paris, but it's sports anyway and it's unpredictable. I will still work hard to reach my goal," he added.

Nazar Chepurnyi of Ukraine came in second in the men's vault final and Shek Wai-hung of Hong Kong, China was third.

Ukraine enjoyed a 1-2 finish on parallel bars, with Illia Kovtun winning the gold and Oleg Verniaiev securing the silver. Colombia's Jossimar Calvo Moreno got the bronze.

Tang Chia-hung from Chinese Taipei won the men's high bar, followed by Britain's Joe Fraser and Colombia's Angel Barajas.

Organized by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), the Cairo event is one of the four 2024 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series, with the next three to be held in the German city of Cottbus, Azerbaijan's capital Baku, and Qatar's capital Doha.

The event was held at Cairo International Stadium from February 15 to 18, gathering some 293 gymnasts from about 70 countries and regions.