60th All Japan Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships 2007

Ai Yokochi -winning the title,
but tears over her retirement

From November 22nd to 25th, the 60th All Japan Championships 2007 of Rhythmic Gymnastics were held in Tokyo.

Ai YOKOCHI was happy but at the same time sorrowful: She won the first big national title at last, just in time with her retirement.
With a score of 59.900 she beat Mai HIDAKA (59.700) and so she blocked the 7th title in sequence of the 'Grand Dame" of Japanese Rhythmic gymnastics, Yukari MURATA, who came at third place at the all-round competition (53.350).

Mai HIDAKA won the titles with rope and hoop and
Yukari MURATA the clubs and ribbon decisions at he end of these national championships.

* Reporting for GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL:
Japanese correspondent Takako KOBAYASHI, text & photos

Ai YOKOCHI: first all-around title at the end of her top sports career

* Japanese Championships 2007
- Tokyo, November 23 - 25 -
This competition was important for sixfold national champion Yukari Murata, because she was willing to win the seventh all-around title in series... she held the top position in the Japanese rhythmic gymnastics scene for a long time.
But Ai Yokochi and Mai Hidaka beat Yukari Murata.
Yokochi was contented herself with being on the 2nd position.
At the end of the second rotation, 'newcomer' Mai Hidaka was leading and Yokochi started on 3rd position, but she made a perfect performance with no mistake at her last aparatus, the clubs..!
After the competition, during the press conference the new Japanese champion commented: " I can't believe it myself ! But for me and my club team, victory has been a big dream at these 'All Japanese Champinships'. I have had difficult times for so long . But I take pleasure with my coach and teammates."

Silver medallist Mai Hidaka

Mai Hidaka - one of the group members at the last Worlds 2007 Baku - will be the new leading gymnast now in Japan, becaurse Ai Yokochi and Yukari Murata decided to retire after this competition. So Ai Yokochi sized her last chance during these All Japan Championships.

* Reportd by Takako Kobayashi from Tokyo

* RESULTS, All Around
1. Ai Yokochi           59.900
2. Mai Hidaka        59.700
3. Yukari Murata   59.350

4. Yuria Ohnuki :     57.600
5. Mimi Inoue :        57.050
6. Masami Kozai : 56.800
7. Yuka Endo :        56.175
8. Yui Kawahara : 56.050
9. Nanase Shoji :    55.725
10. Riko Anakubo : 54.700

Yukari MURATA at third place
and winning two titles:
- decided also her retirement!

* Rope
1. Mai Hidaka : 15.475
2. Yukari Murata : 15.100
3. Yuria Ohnuki : 14.775

* Hoop
1. Mai Hidaka : 15.550
2. Yukari Murata : 15.450
3. Yuria Ohnuki : 15.375

Clubs
1. Yukari Murata : 15.800
2. Mai Hidaka : 15.375
3. Yuria Ohnuki : 15.125

* Ribbon
1. Yukari Murata : 15.550
2. Ai Yokochi : 15.500
3. Yuria Ohnuki : 15.150

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