Three more sets of the BRICS Games medals were awarded at the Aquatics Palace on 17 June.
Athletes from Russia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Belarus participated in the women’s three-metre springboard diving competition. Elizaveta Kuzina of Russia won the gold medal (333.75 points), Kristina Ilinykh, her compatriot, took silver (330.45), and Aliaksandra Alshanik (Republic of Belarus) took bronze (250.50)
“My first jump didn’t work out at all, and I think after it I, somehow, let things loose a little bit, when I should’ve gotten them together. Everyone prepares differently; sometimes it fascinates me, watching my competitors dive in the Finals. I even clap if I feel like it. I think I got my bearings by the third-fourth dive, and on the fifth finally showed what I can do. All that support is really flattering; I feel like we’ve made some kind of mini history”, Elizaveta Kuzina shared her thoughts after winning on the three-metre springboard.
Then it was men’s turn on the ten-metre platform. Aleksandr Bondar (533.75 points) and Nikita Shleikher (518.50) of Russia won gold and silver, respectively, while Jesus Gonzalez (428.30) of Venezuela took bronze
The hosts of the Games also won the mixed platform competition. Ruslan Ternovoi and Iuliia Timoshinina brought gold medals to Russia with a score of 347.97 points.
Tuesday will be the final day of the BRICS Games diving competitions. Four sets of medals will be awarded for men and women in mixed diving: from three-metre springboard and ten-metre platform, respectively.
The semi-finalists of the phygital basketball tournament have been determined at Basket Hall, with the teams playing a sports simulation game on a console first and then meeting on a real court.
The Russian national team moved into the top four from the first place, having outplayed Belarus with a 30:28 score in the group stage final match. After losing three points following the digital stage, the tournament hosts managed to pull themselves together and win.
In the Semi-Finals, Russian basketball players will compete with Uzbekistan, while Belarus will face Brazil, the leaders of Group A. The deciding matches will be held on Tuesday.
Play-off matches have started at Kazan Tennis Academy. Semi-final games were held in the men’s team events. The Russian team defeated India with a 2:0 score, thanks to the victories of Ilia Simakin over Karan Singh (7:6, 1:6, 6:0) and Danil Panarin over Chirag Duhan (6:1, 6:2). Belarus easily beat Uzbekistan, winning with a 2:0 score as well. Now, these top teams will meet in the Finals on 19 June at Kazan Tennis Academy.
“Both sets got off to a bad start. I was able to win the first one, but lost the second. Maybe it was the heat, maybe I was tired. I came out for the third set completely different, started well and, most importantly, won. Today the weather’s better than before. It was shady, the sun came out by the third set, I liked it. The opponent from India is playing well, he is ranked 600th in the world rankings. I think he plays more on soil than on hard court, that’s why he kept shortening so much today. I think that was his plan, which worked out quite well except for a couple of times. The atmosphere is amazing, I’m grateful to everyone who has and will continue to support me and our team. Thank you all very much!” said Ilia Simakin after reaching the BRICS Games Finals.
The play-off matches in the women’s team competition started from the 1/4 Finals. The Republic of Srpska defeated Iran with a 2:1 score, while India beat Uzbekistan with a 2:0 score.
Tomorrow, 18 June, they will be joined in the Semi-Finals by the teams of Russia and Belarus, who took first place in their groups and got into the 1/2 Finals straight away.
Preliminary and semi-final bouts took place on the starting day of the men’s wrestling competitions. The finalists were:
Ramiz Gamzatov (Russia) vs Nodirbek Jumanazarov (Uzbekistan), up to 57 kg category
Bashir Magomedov (Russia) vs Sardor Ruzimov (Uzbekistan), up to 61 kg category
Abasgadzhi Magomedov (Russia) vs Murad Hagverdiyev (Azerbaijan), up to 65 kg category
Kurban Shiraev (Russia) vs Begijon Kuldashev (Uzbekistan), up to 70 kg category
Murat Dzhakupov (Kazakhstan) vs Anzor Zakuev (Russia), up to 74 kg category
Orkhan Abasov (Azerbaijan) vs Magomed Magomaev (Russia), up to 79 kg category
Bobur Islomov (Uzbekistan) vs Malik Shavaev (Russia), up to 86 kg category
Nurcali Nurcaipuly (Kazakhstan) vs Gadzhimurad Magomedsaidov (Azerbaijan), up to 97 kg category
Shamil Musaev (Russia) vs Azamat Zasseev (South Ossetia), up to 125 kg category
Shamil Zubairov (Azerbaijan), Yaraslau Iadkouski (Belarus), Alan Bagaev (Russia), and Islyambek Ilyassov (Kazakhstan) are competing in the up to 92 kg category in the round-robin tournament. They have one fight left to play, which, like the finals in other weight categories, will be held on 18 June at Ak Bars Wrestling Palace.