Sovetsky Sport. April 12, 1975. One of the largest gymnastic tournaments, Riga-75, has ended here. On the last day of the competition, winners in the individual events were determined.
Women. Vault. 1. N. Dronova and E. Kolesnikova (both URS) - 18.8; 3. A. Carr (USA) - 18.7. Gymnasts performed two vaults in the final. Many have mastered the Tsukahara well. Lena Kolesnikova performed this vault better than the others.
Uneven bars. 1. Dronova (URS) - 18.9; 2. E. Primak (URS) - 18.75; 3. A. Szommer (HUN) and A. Carr (USA) - 18.7. The world champion performed a new mount - a forward somersalt on the lower pole, and her routine was immediately 'tuned up' (9.5). The most dynamic and difficult routine was performed by Lena Primak. True, she had blots, but I believe that with such an interesting composition the Chelyabinsk schoolgirl can compete with the best gymnasts in the world.
Balance beam. 1. Kolesnikova - 19.0; 2. Dronova - 18.85; 3. Cho Hun Hi (PRK) - 18.5. Kolesnikova performed the Korbut somersault - she did it brilliantly, didn't even move, and there was no applause. That's how quickly viewers get used to once-unique tricks. On the other hand, Lena's entire routine looked exceptionally solid and harmonious (9.5). In general, the foreign journalists who were present at the competition consider Kolesnikova a very promising gymnast.
Floor exercise. 1. A. Zelenko (URS) - 19.2; 2. Dronova - 19.05; 3. G. Gabor (ROM) - 18.6. Again, Alla Zelenko from Minsk performed her routine to new music, and again she got the highest score (9.6). So, the creative search by Alexander Makarov and coach Viktor Khomutov was a success.
Results. The excellence of the Soviet women gymnasts in this tournament was overwhelming. Even the world championship participants Heike Gerisch (GDR) and the American Ann Carr could not win a single event.
Men. Floor exercise. 1. S. Kasamatsu (JPN) - 19.1; 2. D. Fitzjarrell (USA) - 18.95; 3. T. Kume (JPN) - 18.85. The Japanese surprised with their ease on floor. Kasamatsu doesn't have any special tricks, everything is normal. Only one thing is unusual - the highest class is visible in this apparent simplicity. Perfect movement is the main trump card of the all-around world champion. Here he does a very simple jump element, which has the ridiculous name 'dog.' The impression is that Shigeru is flying toward the ceiling, arms outstretched. Oh! The judges are people too - 9.6.
Pommel horse. 1. Kasamatsu and V. Tikhonov (URS) - 18.75; 3. R. Richards (CUB) - 18.65. Kasamatsu performed his pommel horse exercise the cleanest of all for 9.4. But Tikhonov caught up with him, having the best preliminary score. Paata Shamugiya started very well but he broke down 'at speed.' So...
Rings. 1. V. Safronov (URS) - 18.75; 2. Kim Son Din (PRK) - 18.7; 3. Son Sun Bon (PRK) - 18.5.
Vault. 1. P. Shamugiya (URS) - 18.875; 2. Safronov and Kasamatsu - 18.825. Yes. Shamugiya, after his failure on the pommel horse, excelled on vault. Moreover, the Tbilisi student contrasted the Tsukahara with a pirouette, which Kasamatsu and Safronov did, piking the Tsukahara. It looked very cool.
Parallel bars. 1. Kasamatsu - 19.1; 2. Shiraishi (JPN) - 18.7; 3. W. Thune (GDR) - 18.5.
High bar. 1. Kasamatsu - 19.25; 2. Shiraishi - 19.1; 3. Thune - 18.9. As you can see, the medalists on these two events are the same. Kasamatsu - he was generally on a roll and left no chance of victory to his opponents. Twenty-two-year-old Shindo Shiraishi has finally shown that he is a representative of the Japanese school. Like a cat, he flew softly over the poles, and it was a real pleasure. What to say, then, about Kasamatsu?
Safronov and Tikhonov fought desperately, but could not do anything about 'the superior forces of the enemy.' Consistence is what is required of our gymnasts.
Results. Shigeru Kasamatsu, the all-around world champion, spoke highly of the skill of the Soviet athletes. And it was not a tribute, it was an objective assessment. In his opinion, Andrianov, Tikhonov, and Dityatin can win the all-around at the Montreal Olympics, although of course he would like to see one of his compatriots as the champion (he singled out Eizo Kenmotsu).
Merited Master of Sports Yuri Titov: "The Moscow News and Riga tournaments gave a ticket to the big platform for Olga Korbut, Nikolai Andrianov, and other gymnasts. Now these popular competitions have opened up new names for us. Let these names become world famous!"