Watanabe elected president of International Gymnastics Federation

Japan's Morinari Watanabe has been elected as the new President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) after he beat rival candidate Georges Guelzec of France by a huge margin in a vote at the governing body's Congress here on Wednesday.

The Japan Gymnastics Association (JGA) secretary-general won 100 of the 119 votes, with Guelzec, the head of the European Union of Gymnastics (UEG), receiving 19.

The 57-year-old becomes just the ninth President of the FIG since it was established in 1881 and will succeed Bruno Grandi, who had held the position for 20 years.

Watanabe is due to officially take charge on January 1, with the 82-year-old Italian's mandate coming to an end in December.

Three vice-presidents were elected following Watanabe's win.

Russia's Vasily Titov, the only incumbent in the race, was selected as first vice-president after securing 68 votes in the first round.

The Russian will be joined by five-time Olympic champion Nellie Kim of Belarus, who prevailed in the second round with 64 votes, and China's Luo Chaoyi, who received 50.

Germany's Wolfgang William and Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist of Sweden were both unsuccessful in round two, while George Tatai of Australia and Venezuela's Zobeira Hernandez withdrew following the first round.

The FIG's ruling Executive Committee has also undergone sweeping changes with the election of seven members.

Incumbent Ali Al-Hitmi of Egypt successfully retained his place, with outgoing FIG Athletes' Commission chair Jani Taskanen of Finland, Britain's Martin Reddin, Kim Dong-min of South Korea, Youssef Altabbaa of Syria, Ron Galimore of the United States and Jesus Carbello Martinez of Spain claiming the other six spots. Endit