AGU Media Doha (QAT): The qualification rounds of the 15th Junior Rhythmic Asian Championships were held on Friday, with Adilya Tlekenova stealing the show at the Daulet National Tennis Center in her hometown Astana, Kazakhstan.

In the ball category (individual), she managed 16,000 to top the pool while China’s Zilu Wang (15,050) and Japan’s Aino Yamada (14,900) came second and third respectively.

The 15-year-old repeated his performance in the hoop where he accumulated 16,450. He was followed by compatriot Dayana Abdirbekova (16,350) and Uzbekistan’s Takhmina Ikromova (15,650).

The Kazakh eventually topped the all-around with 32,450 followed by Ikromova (30,550) and Yamada (30,450).

Japan, seeded third, made it to the team finals in the ropes category with 14,200 points followed by China (12,900), South Korea (12,150), Kazakhstan (11,500) and Uzbekistan (11,300).

Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore and Kyrgyzstan are the other participating teams in the junior edition. 

The event is held under the auspices of Asian Gymnastics Union (AGU).

Astana had hosted the event twice in 2009 and 2010 while Changsha, China, had the honour to organise the inaugural edition in 1996.

Yangzhou, China, hosted in 2004 while the competition was twice held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), with Surat (India) and Jecheon (South Korea) were the other venues.

As many as 150 gymnasts from 15 countries are taking part in the event jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Gymnastic Federation of Kazakhstan and Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics of Astana.