Gymn Forum: 1976 Belarussian Cup

One More Trophy for Olga Korbut

Sovetskii Sport

Vitebsk, April 29, 1976 The strongest Belarussian gymnasts competed at the Cup of the Republic, which was held in the Maladosts sports hall. Absent was USSR champion on parallel bars, N. Nedbalski, because of illness.

The performances showed that the leaders looked prepared for what lies ahead -- the USSR Cup -- but if they want to become candidates for the Olympic team, they need to improve their form.

As expected in the women's competition, there was a fascinating battle between Olga Korbut and Lidia Gorbik. In the compulsory program, the Olympic champion began with a score of 9.75 for her bars routine, but her odd haste in the beam exercise gave the lead to her young rival. However, Olga demonstrated her own adroit character in floor exercises, and she amassed 38.6 points. Gorbik also had a nice sum - 38.45.

These gymnasts fought a worthy fight again on the second day. Both displayed stability and confidence in their optional programs. Korbut's total was 77.75 and Gorbik's was 76.95. In third place was Svetlana Kudinova from Vitebsk, who lagged behind the victor by nearly 3 points.

In the men's competition A. Maleev, V. Shchukin and N. Fedorenko took part. And in this same order they occupied the places on the pedestal.

Korbut did not compete in event finals. Gorbik won 3 times, with an excellent "Tsukahara" on vault and Korbut salto on beam. Only on bars did she yield to the Vitebsk sportswoman S. Zelenkova, who demonstrated a unique dismount w/ a 720-degree twist. For the men, Shchukin won 3 events, but on floor the excellent youth gymnast V. Mashov showed difficult connections, one of which was a double salto.

Belarussian Cup in gymnastics. Women. All-Around. 1. O. Korbut (Grodno) - 77.75; 2. L. Gorbik (Brestskaya obl.) - 76.95; 3. S. Kudinova (Vitebsk) - 74.70. Vault 1. L. Gorbik - 19.325; 2. N. Zelenkova (Vitebsk) - 18.75; 3. S. Kudinova - 18.65. Bars 1. N. Zelenkova - 19.025; 2. S. Mozer (Mogilev) - 18.75; 3. O. Zenchenko (Brestskaya obl.) - 18.4. Beam 1. L. Gorbik - 19.25; 2. S. Kudinova - 18.825; 3. S. Khodorchenko (Vitebsk) - 18.2. Floor 1. L. Gorbik - 19.35; 2. A. Zelenko (Brestskaya obl.) - 18.975; 3. V. Zhidunova (Mogilev) - 18.75.
Men. All-Around. 1. A. Maleev - 109.05; 2. V. Shchukin - 108.55; 3. N. Fedorenko (all Minsk) - 107.7. Floor 1. V. Mashov (Minsk) - 17.85; 2. O. Mashov (Minsk) - 17.475. Pommel Horse 1. S. Dyrda (Minsk) - 18.725; 2. A. Maleev - 17.875; 3. V. Chubis (Grodno) - 17.775. Rings 1. V. Shchukin - 18.45; 2. N. Fedorenko - 18.05; 3. S. Dyrda - 18.05. Vault 1. A. Maleev - 18.0; 2. V. Shchukin - 17.75; 3. O. Popelnitsky - 17.55. Parallel bars 1. V. Shchukin - 18.275; 2. N. Fedorenko - 18.225; 3. A. Maleev - 17.825. High Bar 1. V. Shchukin - 18.925; 2. A. Maleev - 18.55; 3. N. Fedorenko - 18.3.