23. May 2004  
Duisburg  
Rhythmic Gymnastics

Groups World Cup: Finals

2nd place with balls and hoops:
The group from Belarus

The Rusisan group won the finals on Sunday at the 'German Rhythmic Gymnastics Open' in Duisburg after having already clearly dominated yesterday’s all-around. The current World Champions won as well the final with 5 ribbons (25.750) as also the one with 2 balls/ 3 hoops (25.800) in front of Italy (ribbons: 24.100) and Belarus (ribbons: 22.850) resp. Belarus (balls/hoops: 24.900) and Italy (balls/hoops: 24.100).

Russian ballett - a little presentation for the winning ceremony

Nice idea: The Italian group greets the audience
at the winning ceremony with a litte show,
behind them the Russians

Reporting from Duisburg Sonja Schmeißer and Dirk Zimmermann (photos)





Results Finals:
5 ribbons:
1. RUS 25,750
2. ITA 24,100
3. BLR 22,850
4. ESP 22,200; 5. SUI 18,550; 6. KOR 17,250; 7. Bremen 1860 15,950

On the way to an Olympic medal
- The Italian group

2 balls and 3 hoops:
1. RUS 25,800
2. BLR 24,900
3. ITA 24,100
4. ESP 21,800
5. SUI 19,600
6. KOR 19,050
7. Bremen 1860 17,850
8. IND 7,700.
A good test for the Olympics with theatre atmosphere
It was an important test shortly before the Olympic Games as well as a rehearsal for the RG competitions of the World Games 2005 which will be held in Duisburg.
Egle Abruzzini (ITA), the head of the RG Technical Committee, was happy with the event and congratulated the organisers.
The RG events and also the aerobics competitions next year at the World Games will again take place in the theatre “Theater am Marientor”.

The Spanish group with a great presentation

From a sportive perspective it was an important event for the groups which will take part in the Olympic Games – Russia, Italy, Belarus and Spain. Russia is the top favorite for the Olymip gold medal, Italy is on their way to the top in exciting duels with Belarus. Also Spain is getting stronger and stronger again.
It will be interesting to see what kind of value the scores from Duisburg will have in Athens when also the groups from Bulgaria, China, Greece, Ukraine, Poland – and Brazil will be there. Hopefully the group from Brazil will have overcome their injury problems by then.The audience was glad that they at least presented a show in Duisburg.

A great show for the audience - the group from Brazil



An ideal combination
A World Cup tournament taking place in a theatre combined with show performances – this has been a good idea by the organisers and worked well also during today’s finals.
Even the winning ceremony was combined with a little show. The audience and also the RG- experts liked this combination of sports and show.

A nice show by the group from Switzerland





Those kind of events are good for RG and hopefully this event for the groups will again take place next year during the World Games.

Asian flair by the group from Corea



Even if there will be a couple of more kinds of sport 2005 during the World Games, RG will certainly be one of the highlights

New on the international stage - the group from India



For the group form India the participation in Duisburg has been their World Cup premiere.