PUZZLE

The massive selection process and training program initiated by Bellu and Bitang two years ago had its first big test - the OMV Petrom Cup, a competition opened only to young girls beginners or advanced , sponsored through the Petrom program “Tara, Tara vrem campioane”.

Our first look is set on the beginners: 2008-2009  and 2006-2007 born girls.

Beginnres I

This was the age group of 7 and 8 year olds, a group that we usually don’t see in national events. Good opportunity for us to see how things are progressing towards the first competition level that we are used to.

Absolute winner was Timisoara’s 8 year old, Erica Gogoase, an already refined little athlete:

A group of four  CSS Barlad gymnasts followed her in the hierarchy, Lorena Popa, Ilinca Balan, Ioana Balan, Bianca Balan (no family relation between the  3 Balan). based on these individual results, it’s most likely that CSS Barlad would have won the team competition had it not been for the slight injury and forfeit of the fifth team member.

The title went  to CSS 1 Constanta 1 whose star athlete was Alexandra Florea, a6th in the all around ranking. The other members were Adelina Nour (9th all-around), Teodora Stoian (10th all-around), Bianca Voicu (beam champion) and Alexandra Marin.

Not far behind was CSS Dinamo Bucuresti team with  Adelina Ionescu (beam champion) and Ana Violeta Vataselu in the individual top 10 and  Cristina Mamele (bars champion), Ana Chisar and Alexia Dinu in top 20.

Bronze went to CSS 1 Timisoara for which competed champion Erica Gogoase and teammates  Julia Avram, Patricia Botizan, Iulia Crainic and Rebeca Cerbe.

Beginners II

This section was opened to 9 and 10 year olds.

especially beautiful and highly acclaimed was Timisoara’s  Amalia Ghigoarta, a very elegant 9 year old. She certainly is one to watch for the future.
Here she is on floor, delighting the audience and even Mariana Bitang:

And equally gorgeous on beam:

Team and podium mate, vice-champion, Ana Maria Polhac was also very entertaining on floor:

Third was  Deva’s Abigail Condrei and forth  Constanta’s Ionela Vasile.

Top 10 was completed by Roberta Furcoi (CSS Barlad), Stefania Calitu (Dinamo Bucuresti), Rebeca Danci (Dinamo Bucharest), Denisa Cioc (CSS 1 Constanta), Bianca Atanasoaie (Dinamo Bucharest) and Madalina Mistode (CSA Steaua Bucharest)

In the team competition the  gold medal went to CSS 1 Timisoara (Amalia Ghigoarta, Ana Maria Polhac, Fernanda Andrei, Denisa Mindrut, Larisa Dumitriu), second was Dinamo Bucharest (Stefania Calitu, Rebeca Danci, Bianca Atanasoaie, Bianca Pata, Anelis Barbu) and third CSS 1 Constanta  (Ionela Vasile, Denisa Cioc, Ana Lala, Alexandra Panait, Catalina Popescu)

So, a lot of new names for the future! Now, let’s take care of them!

Buzau was once again the host for our little gymnasts at their national competition.

Here are a few of the event highlights

Level 1

The preceding competitions announced a tight battle between the stars of the two Dinamo clubs and the little Barlad native Amalia Puflea. It was CS Dinamo’s Ella Oprea turn to shine and she did shine bright. She also won all the gold medals in the event finals. The most impressive she was on bars:

Amalia Puflea, Barald’s hopeful – a “mini Andreea Raducan” – was second all around and also added three event final medals.
Here she is below in a recording from “Cupa Andreea Raducan” where she was the “golden one”:

Other two Dinamo girls, this time from the school club (CSS Dinamo) were remarkable in the all around – Eva Mircioaga third, a little artist – here on floor at “Cupa Nadia Comaneci” and Roberta Radu forth – a complete gymnast, winning three other individual medals in Buzau (one of them gold) – here on bars
But one can’t overlook Sabrina Maneca, one of the most talented gymnasts in the age group, hampered here, results-wise, by the level 1 skill restrictions – she is capable of a lot more. Here she settled for bronze on floor.
Among event medalists: Alecsia Savu (CSS Buzau)– silver on beam and Erika Traicu (CS Farul)– bronze on vault/a> and amoung individual top rankers: Ana Marioara – CS Dinamo, Mara Matei – CS Petrolul, Amalia Iovanut – Palatul Copiilor Timisoara, Andreea Toma – CSS 1 Constanta.

Level 2

In this age group the title was decided between last year’s champion – Miruna Cazan and Focsani native, Ana Maria Barbosu. It was a close battle with Miruna as winner. The two of them also took home the apparatus gold medals – two for each.
Miruna was imperial on beam

While Ana was unbeatable on bars

Erika Leonida of CSA Steaua was third all-around, also scoring high on bars.
CSSG Focsani team depth was proven by great results from another two hopefuls Rut Damian and Iulia Trestianu, top AA scorers and multiple medalists on the event finals.
Arad was again on top with silver for the team and individual medals for Iasmina Neacsu (bars and beam) and Daria Goina (beam).
Remarkable efforts came from other athletes as well Alexandra Duzi – CS Farul (here on floor), Evelina Oprea and Amalia Petre – CSS1 Constanta, Monica Ilie – CSS Dinamo, Teofana Gafita – CS Dinamo, Gabriela Furak – Palatul Copiilor Timisoara