Tatiana Nabieva will compete on vault and bars |
Russian teams for the Universiade (gymnastics competitions take place 7th to 10th July) have been announced. Team format is 5-4-3 :
MAG : David Belyavski, Nikolai Kuksenkov, Denis Ablyazin, Emin Garibov, Mattei Petrov. Substitute - Nikita Ignatiev.
Women: Aliya Mustafina, Ksenia Afanasyeva, Tatiana Nabieva, Anna Dementieva, Maria Paseka
Kuksenkov has only just gained eligibility to compete for Russia and this will be his first international appearance for his new team.
Mustafina and Afanasyeva will compete all around. Nabieva has recovered from her injury and regained form and will be able to contribute on bars and vault, although she does not at present have a second vault. If they want to win a medal on vault, they will have to take Maria Paseka.
There is an interview with Valentina Rodionenko about the selection here. It is clear that there is still some final decision making left to do before the teams travel to Kazan.
With thanks to Lifje for providing the information and link.