Qatar to face South Korea in AFC U-19 semis today PAGE 18 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2018 FIFA boss Infantino says 48 teams could WORLD GYMNASTICS PAGE 18 happen for 2022 World Cup ASPIRE DOME Russia’s Dalaloyan redeems himself with All-Around gold China’s Ruoteng rues tie-break finish; count-back result hands him silver VINAY NAYUDU DOHA “I need to do my best and fight to the end,” is what men’s de- fending All-Around champion Xiao Ruoteng of China had said prior to the final of the 48th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018. On Wednesday at the Aspire Dome, he exactly did both – produced his very best and fought till the very end. Russian gold and bronze winners Artur Dalaloyan (right) and Nikita Nagornyy celebrate soon after the Yet, as luck may have it, he men’s All-Around event final at the Aspire Dome on Wednesday. ended on a rare tie-break with Russia’s Artur Dalaloyan only to miss out on a world gold medal following a count-back. Picture this: The Chinese needed a target score of 14.233 on the final rotation of the men’s All-Around final on the high bar. And he was the last to go in following Dalaloyan’s routine. Ruoteng came up with top show and smooth dismount and soon the scores flashed – 14.233! Russia’s Artur Dalaloyan competes on the rings in the men’s All-Around final of the 2018 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018 at the Aspire Dome on Wednesday. (AFP) China’s Xiao Ruoteng with Russia’s Artur Dalaloyan and Nikita Nagornyy at the medals ceremony. It resulted in a tie with the graciously accepted the silver. points, ahead of China’s Sun and realise that yes, I won this still happy with the result,” he tried to do my best in my rou- RESULTS two gymnasts now having a Dalaloyan was left in tears Wei (85.898). USA’s Samuel championship,” he said. said. tine.” total of 87.598 points each. To earlier in the week after fall- Mikulak was fifth with 85.273. On the scoreboard flashing On being the last gymnast There was, however, great MEN’S ALL-AROUND FINAL (TOP TEN) break the deadlock, the rules ing off the parallel bars in the The Russian gold medal- his name as being on top, he in the last rotation (on hori- camaraderie between the 1. Artur Dalaloyan (RUS) 87.598PTS 2. Xiao Ruoteng (CHN) 87.598 were applied and on a count- team competition. ist was all smiles as he spoke said, “When I saw the results I zontal bar) and how did that gymnasts as they moved from 3. Nikita Nagornyy (RUS) 86.331 back of each competitor’s top The world All-Around gold through an interpreter. “I had immediately saw that #2 came put pressure on him, Ruoteng one rotation to the other and 4. Sun Wei (CHN) 85.898 five scores out of the six ap- for Russia came after almost only one goal, and that was to next to (Xiao’s) name and, of said, “There was a little pres- kept hugging their competi- 5. Samuel Mikulak (USA) 85.273 paratus. Dalaloyan’s lowest two decades, the last being perform my job from begin- course, felt happy and amaz- sure, but not so much, because tiors and shaking hands. 6. Kazuma Kaya (JPN) 84.765 7. Kenzo Shirai (JPN) 84.531 score which was on the pom- won by Nikolai Kryukov in ning to end without mistakes. ing.” I know how to adjust myself Nagornyy, who was in a 8. James Hall (GBR) 84.298 mel horse (13.400) was thus 1999. Later, Alexei Neimov “I was surprised and can’t Ruoteng was a picture of and give my best. I am satis- similar situation of the last 9. Artur Davtyan (ARM) 83.140 removed and he won the gold! captured gold for Russia at the say anything more. I’m just mixed emotions as he tried to fied with my performance.” routine during the men’s team 10. Marios Georgiou (CYP) 82.032 It capped a great comeback 2000 Olympics. so happy. I feel good, excel- hide the disbelief. The target score too wasn’t finals, said he was delighted for the 22-year-old Dalaloyan On this day though, Russia lent. I simply tried my best to “I feel pity about that, but of any help as Ruoteng said he with Dalaloyan and he finish- the gold.” from Moscow, but seemed to had double joy with Nikita Na- show my best. I can’t believe I respect the judges and my didn’t even check it. “I didn’t ing on the podium. On Thursday, the women have left Ruoteng in the lurch. gornyy collecting the bronze it yet. I need to probably go to rival. I basically want to be pay much attention to that. “It feels great and I’m very will be in action in the All- Though the Chinese, also 22, having finished on 86.331 my hotel, take a deep breath number one but anyway I am I just tried to be myself and happy for Dalaloyan as he won Around final from 4pm. FIG president holds roundtable with federations at Aspire FIG-GYMNASTICS.COM months,” said Watanabe, who Gymnastics family.” created with the involvement DOHA was elected at the 81st Con- of the Athletes’ Commission. gress in Tokyo (JPN) in Oc- Safety and ethics “[Cases of abuse made public] INTERNATIONAL GYMNAS- tober 2016. “Our mission is to Watanabe stated that the most are just the tip of the iceberg,” TICS FEDERATION (FIG) propose the 2021-2024 cycle. important place for the FIG is Watanabe said. President Morinari Watanabe The first half of the year will be not its headquarters in Laus- “It started with women's met with representatives of the period we solve the prob- anne (SUI) but every place Gymnastics in the USA, but it national gymnastics federa- lems from the previous cycle. in the world where gymnasts spread to other countries and tions on Tuesday morning to In the latter half of the year, train each day, and that the is also seen in other sports. discuss major issues in the we analyse the past problems. safety of children is of the ut- From now on, sports commit- sport at the Aspire Dome, At the 2019 Council, we will most importance. He reiter- tees must review their struc- where the World Artistic Gym- formally propose the outline ated the ongoing efforts of the tures fundamentally to safe- nastics Championships Doha of the new cycle.” FIG to combat physical, men- guard the athletes.” 2018 are underway. Watanabe encouraged the tal and sexual abuse and har- Watanabe, who took office heads of the federations to assment in the sport, as seen Junior World C’ships in January 2017, represented discuss the major issues from in a three-pillar approach. A first junior world champi- the FIG family along with FIG top to bottom of their organi- The first of the three pillars is onships for Artistic Gymnas- Secretary-General André Gue- sations, in order to accurately the new FIG Ethics Founda- tics will be held in 2019 in isbuhler and Vice Presidents represent their respective The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) meeting at the Aspire Auditorium on Tuesday. tion, which is an independent Gyor (HUN). The champion- Vasily Titov and Nellie Kim. viewpoints at the Council. organisation that will inves- ships will be evaluated and if THE following subjects were due to huge expenses.” “A world championships qual- ships qualifiers to major events tigate misconduct allegations deemed successful, the junior dealt with: World C’ships’ format The growth of the sport in Af- ifier would increase the level of (such as the world champion- and if necessary, report their world championships will be “Changes to the world cham- rica and Oceania will mean competition,” he said. ships and Olympic Games), it findings to the FIG for suspen- added to the FIG calendar, to Looking ahead to 2024 pionships format are needed even more nations in attend- “It’s conceivable that gym- would increase the marketing sion or expulsion. take place every other year. The 82nd FIG Congress will to reduce the size and length ing the world champion- nasts who start Gymnastics value as a sports event. The second pillar is expanded The FIG President also re- be held 2-3 December 2018 in of the competition, which is ships in future years, and the today can participate in the “I understand there may be safeguarding through educa- ceived feedback from the fed- Baku (AZE), where heads of taking place over 10 days in Competition Commission in world championships tomor- objections from the develop- tion courses directly for gym- erations about discussion to the 146 FIG affiliated federa- Doha,” Watanabe said. consultation with the Techni- row,” he said. “I cannot find ing countries, but we must nasts and coaches, which the lower the age limit by one year, tions will gather to outline the “It is a heavy burden on gym- cal Committees is exploring any other sport where begin- go the right way,” he said. FIG began in 2017 through the Olympic allotment, marketing quadrennium that follows the nasts physically and mentally, the idea of using continental ners compete against the best “The world championships FIG Academy. and promotion of the world 2020 Olympic Games in To- and in some cases it leads to championships as a qualifier of the world.” must be the competition for The third pillar is the establish- championships, and restoring kyo (JPN).