site.btaBulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Group Grabs World Gold in Ribbons/Balls Final

The Bulgarian group grabbed the gold in the three ribbons and two balls final at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Sofia’s Arena Armeec on Sunday.

The group including Zhenina Trashlieva, Rachel Stoyanov, Sofia Ivanova, Margarita Vassileva, Kamelia Petrova and Radina Tomova played a perfect routine and received a score of 33.300 points.

The group won the world all-around title on Friday in front of a cheering home crowd, as well as an Olympic quota for the 2024 Games in Paris. The new Bulgarian group thus made a great debut: two gold medals.

Italy was second in the ribbons/balls with 31.450 points and Azerbaijan grabbed the bronze with 30.750 points.

In the five-hoop final, Bulgaria remained eighth.

Italy's group won the world title on five hoops with 34.950 points after a flawless routine. Israel was second with 34.050 points and Spain third with 33.800 points.

The Italians were left without an Olympic quota after finishing fourth in the all-around, but they took gold and silver today. Spain's team, on the other hand, committed blunders on bars and shot put.

On Sunday, the Arena Armeec was packed to capacity to support the gymnasts. Among the official guests in the stands were FIG President Morinari Watanabe and Sports Minister Vesela Lecheva.