29th FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships
Mie (JPN), September 7 – 13, 2009

Review Group Competition II – All-around

MIE (JPN), FIG Office, September 12, 2009: The 24 Rhythmic Groups participating in the 29th World Championships in Mie (JPN) brought a whole different kind of energy to the sold out Sun Arena today. Some 3,000 spectators followed the competition that started this morning with the All-around Final on 5 Hoops and 3 Ribbons/2 Ropes, and were thrilled by breathtaking exercises and phenomenal floor work!

Here’s what they saw:

Italy’s hope for a medal in Groups has come true, and this time it’s the Gold! With considerable fan support the Group achieved a final score of 54.400, which placed them ahead of Belarus (54.200) and in the lead after the first heat. No other Group clinched the deal in heat 2, which kept the Silver medal winning Group from Beijing in first place till the end. With Silver in 2005 and 2007, this marks the third consecutive World medal for the country in the Group All-around competition and their first Gold. With a strong history in this event the Italian Group is also a medal aspirant for tomorrow’s Apparatus Finals.

After Bronze in both Baku (2005) and Patras (2007) the Group from Belarus stepped up to Mie’s podium tonight to claim a Silver. In a neck and neck battle with Italy, Belarus, edged out by 0.2, got the short end of the stick; the country adds today’s Bronze to a number of World and Olympic medals however, the most recent being an All-around Bronze from Baku 2005 and Patras 2007, as well as Bronze in Beijing. 10 years ago in Osaka the Japanese public looked on as a Belarusian Group again took its place in third.

Although Russia presented interesting and appealing routines, they stumbled behind their Italian and Byelorussian nemesis. A younger, post-2008 Olympic Games Group, they made a number of mistakes, including one hoop landing behind the advertising boards. Not to be deterred, they were swift to get back in the saddle for 51.350 points and third place on the podium.

Ranks four to six were contended by an impressive chasing pack when a mere 0.05 of a point tipped the scales! With 50.500 points Azerbaijan ultimately made the race, barely nosing ahead of Israel (50.475) and Spain (50.450).

Back after two years of absence, this Bulgarian Group (read more) finished seventh in tonight’s All-around competition and spectators can look forward to seeing them again in both Apparatus Finals.

The Japanese Group created a wholly unique atmosphere in the arena as fans roared out their enthusiasm, some actually moved to tears! Their exciting routines yielded a total 50.100 point score and placed them in a provisional 2nd. Action was delivered in spades as other Groups gained ground, pushing Japan down to 8th and one rank lower than in Patras and one rank lower than 2 years ago in Patras. Ranked 4th on 3 Ribbons/2 Ropes, the host country qualified for the Apparatus Final.

Ukraine, eighth in Patras as well as in Beijing, crossed the All-around finish line in 10th, just behind France, and qualified for the Final on Hoops.

Gold: Italy – Total: 54.400
Silver: Belarus – Total: 54.200
Bronze: Russia – Total: 51.350

4. Azerbaijan – Total: 50.500
5. Israel – Total: 50.475
6. Spain – Total: 50.450
7. Bulgaria – Total: 50.150
8. Japan – Total: 50.100
Detailed results

The eight best Groups from each apparatus combination of today’s competition qualified for tomorrow’s Apparatus Finals, which will ultimately conclude these 29th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships.