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Szewczenko out of worlds

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Posted: Wednesday February 17, 1999 12:22 PM

Tanja Szewczenko feels she is not ready to compete yet. Bob Martin/Allsport

MUNICH, Germany (AP) -- Germany's top figure skater, Tanja Szewczenko on Wednesday unexpectedly announced she was dropping out of the upcoming world championships.

Szewczenko, bronze medalist at last year's European Championships, has decided to concentrate on training and fitness after a year plagued by personal problems and disappointing performances.

The 21-year-old reconciled with her coach Peter Jonas Tuesday and said then she hoped to be ready for the world championships held in Helsinki, March 21-28.

But Szewczenko's fitness has been questioned. She is expected to pass two performance tests in front of the German skating Federation, with the first scheduled for March 15

 

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