This weekend, September 3 and 4, many of the world's top gymnasts will compete at the Challenger Cup in Ghent in what will be one of the last international competitions before the 2011 World Championships in Tokyo. 

As many as 39 countries confirmed their participation in this World Cup, including twelve world and Olympic champions. Among them are top countries Russia and China. Many gymnasts see this as a final preparation for the World Championships which place a few weeks later in Tokyo, where the first tickets for the Olympic Games will be distributed. There are about 130 men and 80 women expected.

From China we'll see Jiang Yuyuan, Wang Guanyin, Zhang Hongtao, Zou Kai, and Huang Qiushuang (expected to compete vault and floor only as she's recovering from a broken hand). Other top names are: First-year senior Viktoria Komova of Russia (bars and beam only), Fabian Hambüchen of Germany, reigning World floor Champion Eleftherios Kosmidis of Greece and teammate Vlasios Maras. Daiane dos Santos and Diego Hypolito of Brazil, reigning World pommel horse champion Krisztian Berki of Hungary, Maria Livchikova, Yana Demyanchuk, and Nikolai Kuksenkov of the Ukraine. Yuri van Gelder, Jeffrey Wammes, and Epke Zonderland will represent the Netherlands.

Competition begins Saturday with the qualification. We'll keep you updated and feature competition videos as they become available. 

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