Rhythmic Gymnastics: Russia continues rhythmic dominance

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-24 09:47

Evgeniya Kanaeva of Russia performs with the rope.

Russia's Evgeniya Kanaeva reigned supreme in the women's individual all-around rhythmic gymnastics yesterday.

Kanaeva's gold yesterday at the BJUT Gymnasium is the third Olympic individual title for rhythmic powerhouse Russia.

The retirement of Athens all-around gold and silver medalists Alina Kavaeva and Irina Tchachina opened the way for their compatriots Kanaeva and Olga Kapranova, and for 2004 bronze medallist Anna Bessonova of Ukraine.

Yesterday's rhythmic individual all-around final highlighted the rivalry among the three and a newcomer, Inna Zhukova from Belarus.

Kanaeva, the 2008 European all-around champion who ranked first in qualifications, defended the title for Russia with the highest score in all her four routines and a combination of 75.500 points.

The 18-year-old sailed to her first Olympic title by mesmerizing fans with dazzling swings, circles, tosses, catches and spirals.

She posted the high score in all four rotations of the event.

Kanaeva got identical scores of 18.850 on her rope and hoop routines before wowing the judges with a club routine that earned her a finals-high 18.950.

She finished the competition with a ribbon routine that gave her a total of 75.500 and the convincing win.

Zhukova, fourth in qualifications, performed consistently on the four routines of rope, hoop, clubs and ribbon, and finished second with 71.925.

Bessonova, the 2007 world all-around champion, trailed in third place in 71.875.

The top 10 gymnasts out of a total of 24 in the qualifications competed in the final.

(Left): Inna Zhukova of Belarus performs with the ribbon. (Right): Anna Bessonova of Ukraine performs with the ribbon. Reuters

(China Daily 08/24/2008 page13)