Special birthday for Kapranova at rhythmic gymnastics Olympic trial

By Sportswriter Zhang Rongfeng

BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Thursday is a special day for Russia's rhythmic gymnast Olga Kapranova, the 2005 world all-around champion. It's Kapranova's birthday, on which Kapranova reached the finals of rhythmic gymnastics Olympic trial as the top qualifier.

Kapranova led the qualifying round of individual all-around in great style as she produced highest scores in each of the four apparatus on Thursday.

The Russian scored a total of 73.225 points to take the top place of qualification in a convincing way, a special way to celebrate her birthday the day.

When asked how to celebrate her birthday in the mixed zone, Kapranova told nothing prepared for that.

"It's not the right time to celebrate my birthday," said Kapranova. "I am busy preparing the finals."

Kapranova arrived at the Huadu Hotel at about half past eight after the preliminaries. Then a surprise waited her there. The receptionist led her directly to the cafeteria, where she saw a cake and flowers prepared for her there.

Kapranova was so surprised and excited that she jumped out of her seat. "I am really surprised, thanks to everyone here, it is really a special birthday for me," she said.

The reception service team and Huadu hotel had prepared her a two-pound chocolate cake with a bunch of flowers and two greeting cards in English and Russian message prior to her arrival.

All the waiters present started to sing "happy birthday" for her altogether. Kapranova was so happy after receiving this and invited two athletes from other countries to be with her.

She suggested to carve up the cave into ten pieces and shared them with her teammates. When her teammates all back to the Hotel, they enjoyed their shares and enjoyed being part of the special birthday.