Common Goal in Delhi

Gymnast Misha Koudinov, 19, hopes he can help New Zealand take its first ever men’s team medal at the 19th Commonwealth Games in Delhi. “My goal is to make all of my routines as tidy as I can make them,” Russian-born Koudinov said. “In terms of placings, it was realistic for me to aim for a podium finish all-around, and especially floor. The team definitely has a shot at third place — we’ll need to have a good day and hit tidy sets from everyone.” Koudinov will compete in Delhi along with teammates Brandon Field, Mark Holyoake, Matthew Palmer and Patrick Peng. Holyoake, 27, is the team veteran, competing in his third Games. The same squad will travel to Rotterdam immediately after the Games for the upcoming world championships. Koudinov is coached by his father at North Harbour Gymnastics in Auckland, but plans a move to the US next autumn to compete for Ohio State University.