Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Team Wins World Bronze

Bulgarian team performs with ribbons in the groups' general competition of the 31st Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championship in Montpellier. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's women's rhythmic gymnastics team won the 2011 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championship bronze medal in the groups competition Saturday evening in Montpellier, France.

Reneta Kamberova, Mihaela Maevska, Tsvetelina Naydenova, Elena Todorova, Hristina Todrova, and Catherin Velkova, brought to Bulgaria the first medal from a world championship since 2003, when the then team won the silver. In addition to the third place, the Bulgarian gymnasts won Saturday a quota for the Olympics in London in 2012.

The team performed two combinations with 5 balls, 2 hoops and 3 ribbons and received a total of 54.125 points, which secured the bronze medal. This is the third medal and the second quota for the Bulgarian competitors, after Silviya Miteva's bronze medals in the individual combinations with ribbon and clubs and her 7th place in the overall individual competition.

Italy won the 2011 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championship in Montpellier. This became the third consecutive world title for the Italian women's team after those in Mie' (2009), and Moscow (2010). The gymnasts of the Italian Air Force, Elisa Santoni, Elisa Blanchi, Angelika Savrayuk and Romina Laurito, and their team mates Andrea Stefanescu and Marta Pagnini, won the gold medal with a final score of 55.150 (5 balls 27.350 - 3 ribbons and 2 hoops 27.800). Olympic champion Russia (54.850) ranked second, ahead of Bulgaria (54.125).

Belarus, (52.850 т.), Japan (52.725) and Germany (52.675) are the other teams among the top six.

Bulgaria is currently fourth by the number of medals won, with its three bronzes. Russia is first with 12 medals – 6 gold and 6 silver, while Italy is third with 1 gold, followed by Belarus with 1 silver and 1 bronze.

The Championship is concluding Sunday with the finals in single apparatus ensemble competitions. The Bulgarian team has qualified for several of them.

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