Yana Demyanchuk interview on her success at Europeans

At the recent European Championships, the Ukrainian team brought home four medals: gold, silver and two bronzes. 15 year old Yana Demyanchuk became the European Champion on balance beam.

How was it possible to win in Milan?

"I think the judges estimated both complexity and quality. Though my routine was initially more difficult. But before the final, my trainers decided to simplify a combination slightly, so that I could execute it better. And it worked, and I was glad! But to be frank, I did not believe that I had won."

Prior to the European Championships, did you have a goal to take a medal?

"I wanted to perform my routines well. If they were good enough, I would get a medal."

After your fourth place in qualifications, did you think about the possibility of medalling in the all around?

"For me the first day was the most important, because the rest of the championship depended on it. I tried to be calm, because after all, it was my first European championship! When I passed the qualification I was more confident. I lost points only in the floor exercise, and I wasn't upset with that - I had achieved the main task - to pass qualifications."

Who were your main competitors?

"Definitely Ksenia Semenova from Russia. Then the Romanians. They are very strong on beam."

You will now prepare for the World Championships in London?

"Certainly. It is certainly the highest level. There will be the Chinese women, the Americans...But I am not afraid. I believe in myself now."

And the World Cup stages?

"I will participate in them. The Moscow WC is coming up, so of course I will go. I have already started to prepare my routines."

What's your usual training regime?

"Twice a day, about six hours altogether."

What do you do apart from study and training?

"I draw, I listen to music. I like the group "Encore", and also foreign music, like Britney Spears."

Yana, you are a native of Ivano-Frankovsk. For how long have you been in Kiev?

"Yes, I was born in Ivano-Frankovsk, and I started gymnastics there when I was nine. I moved to Kiev when I was eleven. Now I study here, in a sports boarding school. When we returned from the championships, little girls met us with posters, and even composed little verses.

How did your parents react to your success?

"They congratulated me, certainly...my mother cried with happiness. I don't think anybody expected such success."

Beth wins UB! - event finals

Yay Beth won bars with her crazy new routine! - Ksenia came in second (her form seems to have gotten worse, she keeps wobbling in her handstands). She also won bronze on floor:D and Beth took the gold! Sandra didn't medal at all because the judges devalued her triple twist dismount to a 2 1/2; as she'd already performed that, she ended up with no dismount>:( & Ferrari took the silver with watered-down tumbling but actually some effort at dance!! I'm shocked.

Beam was won by Yana Demyanchuk!! with the two Romanians medalling also. I love her routine! Her knee is still wrapped up (it was at WOGA earlier this year).
And another medal for Russia: Yulia was second on vault!! Ariella Kaeslin won; I think she must have fallen in qualifications.

I'll post full results later, when I have time. Haha I have a 2000 world essay due in on Thursday which I started yesterday

European qualifications!!

Ksenia Semenova is in first place after qualifying round with 57.625!!!!!!!!!!!
Also Yulia Berger qualified first to vault final!!!!

VAULT
Yulia Berger RUS 14.287
Jana Komrskova CZE 14.225
Anna Kalashnyk UKR 14.112
Kim Bui GER 14.087
Aagje Van Walleghem BEL 14.075
Ariella Käslin SUI 14.062
Becky Downie GBR 14.025
Wyomi Masela NED 14.025

BARS
Beth Tweddle GBR 15.275
Anja Brinker GER 15.025
Ksenia Afanasyeva RUS 14.825
Youna Dufournet FRA 14.750
Anastasia Koval UKR 14.625
Valentyna Holenkova UKR 14.500
Becky Downie GBR 14.475
Ksenia Semyonova RUS 14.425 (with a fall on her pak)

BEAM
Vasiliki Millousi GRE 14.725
Anamaria Tamarjan ROM 14.525
Ksenia Semyonova RUS 14.475
Yana Demyanchuk UKR 14.450
Valeria Maksyuta ISR 14.375
Gabriela Dragoi ROM 14.350
Marine Petit FRA 14.050
Yasmin Zimmermann SUI 14.025

FLOOR
Beth Tweddle GBR 14.975
Sandra Izbasa ROM 14.475
Vanessa Ferrari ITA 14.425
Ksenia Semyonova RUS 14.400
Anamaria Tamarjan ROM 14.200
Ana Maria Izurieta ESP 14.050
Lia Parolari ITA 14.025
Valentyna Holenkova UKR 13.950


Anamaria Tamarjan was second in the all-around standings and Diana Chelaru in 15th; Yana Demyanchuk is in 4th!! good for her. The other Russian to qualify was Kristina Goryunova in 16th.
Afanasyeva had a rough day, falling on pretty much everything...in bars she only mucked her dismount so managed to qualify. Aarghhhh

& Beth's new routine is incredible!! I saw her performance from Jesolo...Iit should be a great showdown between her and Ksenia. I'm not sure which one I want to win!