Friday August 9th:
Rhythmic Group All-Around Qualifications
Highlights
Bulgaria topped the Group All-Around Qualifications with a total score of 70.400. Italy, despite leading after the first rotation with 38.200, finished in second place, trailing Bulgaria by just 1.050 points with a score of 69.350. Ukraine secured third with 68.950, leading the second rotation with an impressive 33.500, outscoring Bulgaria by 0.800 points.
Bulgaria competes in Rhythmic Gymnastics Qualifications | Source: VCG / Getty Images
France earned fourth place with a score of 68.800, bolstered by the third-highest score in the first rotation at 36.600.
The People's Republic of China made a strong comeback in the second rotation with 32.400, finishing with a total of 67.900.
Israel followed closely behind with 67.150, while Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan completed the top eight, scoring 64.000 and 62.000 respectively.
Australia finished 11th, just three spots behind the qualification cut-off, with a score of 58.450, marking their best-ever result in this event at the Olympics.
Team Australia place 11th for the Rhythmic Gymnastics Qualifications | Source: Olympics
Team Australia | Recap:
Team Australia, consisting of two-time Olympian Lidiia Iakovleva and debutantes Phoebe Learmont, Saskia Broedelet, Emmanouela Frroku, and Jessica Weintraub, delivered an outstanding performance. Their first routine, set to a remix of 'Heads Will Roll,' was met with enthusiastic applause as the team demonstrated impressive synchronicity and challenging combinations, earning a score of 31.400.
Their second routine, a dramatic mix of Ribbons and Balls, showcased a different pace and style, earning 27.050 and bringing their final score to 58.450. Although they didn't advance to the finals, Australia's 11th-place finish represents the nation's best result in the Rhythmic Gymnastics Group All-Around at an Olympic Games.
Team Australia for the Rhythmic Gymnastics Qualifications | Source: Olympics
Saturday August 10th:
Group All-Around Finals
Highlights:
China claimed the gold medal with a total score of 69.800, leading the first rotation with 36.950 and scoring 32.850 in the 3 Ribbons + 2 Balls routine. This historic victory marks the first time a non-European country has won gold in the Women's Rhythmic Gymnastics Group All-Around at the Olympics.
China clinches the Gold medal! | Source: Olympics
Israel earned the silver medal with a score of 68.850, the country's first-ever podium finish in the team event since it was introduced to the Olympics in 1996.
Israel's reaction to silver | Source:AP Photo/Dar Yasin
Italy, who qualified in second place, secured the bronze with a final score of 68.100. Despite an inquiry on their first routine, their scores remained unchanged.
A medal wasn't the only souvenir Italy's Alessia Maurelli was taking home, but an engagement ring too!
SHE SAID YES! | Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Recap:
Bulgaria, despite qualifying in first place, finished just off the podium in fourth with a total score of 67.800 (34.100 + 33.700). They struggled in the first rotation after a dropped hoop, but made a strong recovery, ending only 0.300 points behind Italy.
Azerbaijan followed in fifth place with 66.450 (34.850 + 31.600), while France took sixth with 66.000 (35.750 + 30.250). Ukraine placed seventh with a total of 65.700 (36.550 + 29.150), and Uzbekistan rounded out the top eight with a score of 64.500 (34.050 + 30.540).
Source: MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS
