the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Ise, Mie prefecture, central Japan September 13, 2009.

Team Italy's (L-R) Romina Laurito, Daniela Masseroni, Elisa Blanchi, Anzhelika Savrayuk, Giulia Galtarossa and Elisa Santoni wave during the award ceremony after winning the group all-around competition final at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Ise, Mie prefecture, central Japan September 12, 2009.




Team of Brazil perform with the hoop during the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships Group All-Around Final in Ise, central Japan, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009.



Russia performs in the hoops portion during the group apparatus final at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Ise, Mie prefecture, central Japan September 13, 2009.



French rhythmic gymnasts, Florine Dally, Cecilia Ferrier, Melanie Haag, Jeanne Isenmann, Ketty Martel, and Priscillia Thomas, perform with hoops during the group all-around final at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Ise, in Japan's Mie prefecture on September 12, 2009. France finished in 9th place with a total of 48.550 points with Italy winning with 54.400 points.



Italy performs in the hoops portion during the group apparatus final at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Ise, Mie prefecture, central Japan September 13, 2009



Ukraine performs in the hoops portion during the group apparatus final at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Ise, Mie prefecture, central Japan September 13, 2009.


Team Japan performs during an exhibition at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships coolfwdmail sport



Gymnastics: Italy wins gold at rhythmic worlds

Associated Press

MIE, Japan — Italy beat Belarus and Russia on Saturday to win the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships.

Italy finished first in the ribbon and rope discipline and second in the hoop for a total of 54.400 points. Belarus was second with 54.200 points while Russia finished third with 51.350.

Russia was penalized when one its five-member team lost control of the hoop and had it roll off the mat.

It was Italy's first gold medal of the Sept. 7-13 meet and the first not won by Russia, which has already won five gold medals at the championships.


source : www.honoluluadvertiser.com
credit photo : Reuters pictures