Chusovitina Aims for Glory at Cottbus World Cup

The 48th Tournament of Masters in Cottbus is set to showcase remarkable talent, despite a smaller scale compared to the Olympic year when 300 athletes from over 70 nations participated. This year, 140 competitors from 30 countries are participating in the event, which runs from Thursday to Sunday at the Lausitz Arena.

Among the standout participants is Oksana Chusovitina, who is making her 23rd appearance at this prestigious tournament. The 49-year-old gymnast first competed in Cottbus in 1989 and holds the record for the most victories in the event, with 15 wins to her name. After missing the opportunity to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Chusovitina is determined to prove herself by competing in the vault and balance beam events. She expressed her desire to demonstrate her capabilities, particularly at this stage in her career, as she eyes the possibility of competing in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Chusovitina's immediate goal is to secure a medal at the World Championships scheduled for October in Indonesia. The Cottbus event, while not offering qualification points for the upcoming Olympic Games, is still significant as it has been designated a World Cup by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) until 2028, potentially attracting a larger field in the future.

The competition series, which has expanded to six locations, begins in Cottbus and will subsequently move to Baku (Azerbaijan), Doha (Qatar), Cairo (Egypt), Antalya (Turkey), and Osijek (Croatia). At this year's tournament, Tom Schultze from SC Cottbus Turnen will lead the German team for the third consecutive year, with Jens Milbradt from Berlin taking on the role of head coach for the first time.

The German team features promising talents such as Milan Hosseini, Daniel Mousichidis, Alexander Kunz, and Dario Sissakis, along with young female gymnasts Lisa Wötzel and Silja Stöhr, who are expected to make a significant impact.

As the tournament unfolds, the Cottbus event continues to solidify its status as a vital hub for international gymnastics, showcasing both seasoned athletes and emerging talent in the sport.