Ivan Kolev

During next weekend 9 – 10 May, the attention of the Greek sports society will be focused towards Thessaloniki, where in Mikra hall will be held the national gymnastics championship for men, women and youth. The championship in Thessaloniki will determine the competitors in the Mediterranean gymnastics championship for men and women, which will be held in Pescara, Italy.

Three of the great names of the Greek gymnastics - Vasilis Maras, Lefteris Kosmidis and Vasilis Cholakidis, who had a triumph on the European championship in Milano a month ago, will not take part in the championship this year. The participation in fewer contests will give them a chance to focus on the changes in their new routines, and this will guarantee them more success on the bigger championships. The gymnasts are already practicing for the upcoming world championship which will be held in London in October.

“We are in the beginning of a four year cycle of preparation,” said Dimitris Raftis, coach of the European champion Vasilis Maras and the national team of Greece. “We want Vlasis to desire the victory and to have enough physical strength, when the national team will need him”.

The European championship bronze medalist in floor exercise, Lefteris Kosmidis will not take part in the contest due to pain in the back and furthermore he will be part of the team for the Mediterranean championship in Pescara. Due to a bruise in the shoulder Vasilis Cholakidis has not been practicing for over a month.