With events organized across several spots in Europe and Asia, this year’s Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup competitions take place from March 26–28 in Sofia, Bulgaria, from April 16 to April 18 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from May 7–9 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and May 28–30 in Pesaro, Italy. The events had initially been meant to take place in 2020. Unfortunately, they had to be postponed to the year 2021 due to the worldwide health crisis.
On the sidelines of the coronavirus epidemic, the first part of the World Cup took place in Bulgaria. It’s one of RG’s spiritual homes. In strict compliance with the regional health inspection instructions, with no public gathering and antivirus protection walls between the competition, judges, and gymnasts were not allowed to stay long on the same carpet.
This year’s series of events of RG World Cup competitions also represent qualification for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics for the top three ranked participants (maximum 1 per National Olympic Committee).
2021 RG World Cup Overview
Here is the recap and results from the just-finished World Cup in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast top-notch performer Boryana Kaleyn won her first medals of the year in the RG World Cup by reaping three golds on the final day, March 28, at the World Cup in Sofia. The 20-year-old Boryana had won 12 World Cup medals so far. Beginning with the hoop final, Kaleyn had a challenging task to out-perform the European all-around champion from Israel, Linoy Ashram. And she did it admirably, outscoring her Israeli peer.
Ashram has won many medals in recent years. Therefore, she represents one of the country’s leading hopes at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Last November, Linoy Ashram became a rhythmic gym champion by winning the gold medal in Kyiv, which hosted the 36th European Championship competition.
Anastasia Salos from Belarus, with the same score as Linoy Ashram (26.100), took silver in hoops. She also won bronze in the ribbon final.
In the ball final, Ashram won with her strongest routine the second gold of the day, scoring 26.500 points. Silver went to Alina Harnasko, who scored 25.850. Boryana Kaleyn took the bronze medal in the final ball event.
Kaleyn also ensured excellent performance with two more medals in the clubs and the ribbons event final. Her teammate from Bulgaria, Katrin Taseva, also took the clubs award by winning the bronze medal. Italian gymnasts, 16 years old senior international debut, Sofia Refaeli won silver in clubs and bronze in the ribbon.
Group finals
In the group finals, the host won in both events. The Bulgarian team scored a tenth ahead of Japan with 39.800 points. Russian team placed third with 33.550 points. In the event 3 hoops 2 pairs of clubs Bulgarian team led Japan on the top two podium steps with (39.750) against 35.800 points.
The World Cup Rhythmic Gymnastics circuit 2021 represents a series of competitions promoted and officially organized by the International Gymnastics Federation. This competition represents one of the four rhythmic gym cup events before the 2021 Olympic Games and promises gymnasts’ qualification for games.
