Sovetsky Sport. August 28, 1974. Vilnius (our special correspondents). The USSR Cup in gymnastics and the national championship in individual events began here. For the first time in the history of the Cup, not only the individual championship will be contested, but also in the team competition. We will see all our strongest athletes on the platform - all those who are in the ranks. Such representativeness is also explained by the fact that the competitions serve as the last stage of selecting the national team for the world championships in Varna.
In this regard, during the execution of the compulsory program for men, already in the early, weakest groups, it was those who aimed at the top ten, if not immediately at the top six, that attracted attention. For example, the Georgian gymnast Paata Shamugiya. Separated from his main rivals, his average on the apparatus was 9.25. He was collected and didn't have any failures.
Then all the strongest came to the platform. Of course, the main and fundamental dispute should have been led by the two all-around champions of the country this year - Nikolai Andrianov (RSFSR) and Viktor Klimenko (Moscow). But if the Muscovite immediately showed that he was determined (he was as collected as only he can be), then the Vladimir gymnast after two events shared fifth place was was 0.25 behind his opponent. However, Andrianov's coach N. Tolkachev remained absolutely calm - he didn't say a word to his student. Calmness is explained, obviously, by the fact that, by all indications, Andrianov, if he has not approached his best form then he's on the way, so to speak.
Andrianov's third event was the rings, and he received 9.5 for a routine executed easily and elegantly. Klimenko scored 0.1 less on the parallel bars. It is noteworthy that the all-around champion of Europe, without losing his biting manner, has begun to perform stricter and cleaner.
After three events, the distance between them was 0.15. After four, it was 0.1. In the fifth rotation, Andrianov took the lead, having received 9.5 on the parallel bars. Klimenko made several minor mistakes on floor exercise and earned only 9.2.
Olympian E. Mikaelyan performed successfully. At the national championship, competing for the first time after an injury, he failed. Now his former cat-like softness, characteristic of this Armenian athlete, has returned to him, and he is among the leaders. A. Maleev (Belorussia) looks convincing, and V. Marchenko (RSFSR) is growing before our eyes.
We can say that the schedule of Andrianov's performance on the first day was ascending, while Klimenko's was declining. 9.6 was Nikolai's score for a brilliantly executed routine on the high bar. Viktor received 9.2 on the pommel horse, where he awkwardly placed his hand and almost fell.
After the compulsory program, Andrianov had 56.65 points. Klimenko lost to him by 0.6 points, but the fight is not over.
In a word, right now it's a bit crowded on the way to the top six.
V. GOLUBEV and S. TOKAREV