Rhythmic Gymnastics Finals
LONDON (GBR), FIG Office, January 18, 2012: The ten best Rhythmic Gymnastics Individuals and all Groups in the qualifying rounds at the Visa International Gymnastics held over the past two days at London’s North Greenwich Arena advanced to the Finals on Wednesday.
With Olympic qualification completed after the preliminary rounds, gymnasts competed for medal honours today, bathing in a supportive atmosphere provided by a cheering crowd at Greenwich.
Individual All-around Final
Individuals performed on all apparatus in this Final, following the Olympic order with competitors working on Hoop in the first rotation, before turning to their routines on Ball, Clubs and Ribbon.
Top qualifier Daria Kondakova of Russia boasted the highest score of the day with a total of 28.600 points on Hoop. She impressed with an overall superb performance that won her the Gold (110.450). On her chances of adding an Olympic Gold medal to the Silver she won at the 2011 World Championships in Montpellier, Kondakova said: "Every sportsperson tries to do their best and I am going to work very hard for the next half year and hope to achieve it." On how she enjoyed the competition this week despite the problems she had in some of her routines, she commented: "I always get satisfaction from performing and I came here to perform well and test the arena. I know I have a lot of work to do before the Olympic competition."
Ukraine’s Ganna Rizatdinova upped her qualifying score to a total of 108.750, winning the Silver medal today. She was the high scorer on Clubs (27.350) with a spectacular routine and performing all elements with maximum amplitude. She said after her performance: "I feel better than yesterday. There were some changes to the routine but I wasn't worried as I was performing for the audience. I was performing on more of a spiritual level today – for my emotions and for the people, rather than worrying about technical matters." On qualifying for the London 2012 Olympic Games, she said: "I wasn't expecting to qualify so I'm super happy. I went through all the emotions on the podium, and when I stepped onto it I felt I was stepping towards my future."
Last performer of this competition, Anna Alyabayeva (KAZ), who was sitting in fourth position after three apparatus, made the difference with her amazing Ribbon routine. Her precise body movements earned her the highest execution score on this apparatus (9.100) and with a total of 27.300 and a decisive move upward through the ranks, Anna carried the Bronze. On competing in her first Olympic Games this year, Alyabyeva expressed how she feels: "I am very excited but I am also worried because all my programmes have to change and I have only six months to get it together." On how she has enjoyed the competition this week, she stated: "I have had a lot of emotion and stress. I was nervous because it is my first competition before the Olympic Games but I am very happy today."
Individual All-around results
Gold KONDAKOVA Daria RUS 110.450
Silver RIZATDINOVA Ganna UKR 108.750
Bronze ALYABYEVA Anna KAZ 108.075
4 RODRIGUEZ Carolina ESP 107.400
5 TRIKOMITI Chrystalleni CYP 106.550
6 PISCUPESCU Alexandra ROU 105.400
7 BEREZKO-MARGGRANDER Jana GER 105.150
8 FEBBO Federica ITA 101.650
9 RAKHMATOVA Djamila UZB 101.600
10 VASS Dora HUN 100.850
Group All-around
Spectators at the North Greenwich Arena witnessed spectacular performances by the Rhythmic Groups, who presented both their routines today.
On top of their game, the first qualifiers from Spain confirmed their position today, finishing almost three points ahead of their contenders to clinch the Gold with a 53.250 total. The Group wowed the crowd with high throws, very difficult exchanges and fantastic collaboration work.
Ukraine’s Group, who qualified in second place, faced difficulties today. They made a few mistakes in both routines and a ball that went out of bounds cost them precious points. They dropped down to sixth place.
Even though their overall score stayed below yesterday’s performance, Israel ran off with Silver today. Their routines were well coordinated and clean, displaying a variety of ways to pass the apparatus.
France bettered their qualifying score to tie with Greece and join them in Bronze medal winning third place with a total of 50.400.
Pleasing the excited home crowd, Great Britain’s Group looked very confident today and performed two sound routines that were awarded a 47.200 total.
Group All-around results
Gold ESP - Spain 53.250
Silver ISR - Israel 50.525
Bronze FRA - France 50.400
Bronze GRE - Greece 50.400
5 SUI - Switzerland 50.100
6 UKR - Ukraine 49.650
7 AZE - Azerbaijan 47.250
8 GBR - Great Britain 47.200
The Rhythmic Gymnastics Finals concluded the Visa International Gymnastics, which as part of the London Prepares series functioned as Test Event for the 2012 London Olympic Games as well as the final Olympic qualifier. The event was hosted from January 10 – 18 at the North Greenwich Arena, including competitions in all three Olympic Gymnastics disciplines.
The venue will stage this year’s Olympic Artistic Gymnastics events from July 27 to August 2 and August 5 - 7 with the Trampoline competitions taking place on August 3 – 4. The Rhythmic Gymnastics event will be held at Wembley Arena on August 9 - 12 at Games time.
