Russia celebrate after their group triumph at the World Championships ©FIG

Russia continued their golden form at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart by dominating the group all-around competition to make amends for a disappointing defeat last year.

An error-strewn performance left the Russians in just fourth place at last year's Championships in Izmir behind winners Bulgaria.

The sport's dominant country were back to their best this time around, however, as a new-look team of Diana Borisova, Daria Kleshcheva, Anastasiia Maksimova, Sofya Skomorokh, Anastasiia Tartareva and Maria Tolkacheva posted the highest scores for both of its routines, combining for a total of 36.266.

This put them more than half-a-point above Bulgaria, who finished second with 35.583, while Spain were rewarded for two consistent routines for bronze. 

"We made of a lot of effort to win today, and since last year we changed half of our Group,” said Maksimova, also the Russian team captain.

“We've had a lot of training to become a real team and improve.

"We are better than last year and we are happy with our medal.”

Russia performing their gold medal winning routine ©FIG
Russia performing their gold medal winning routine ©FIG

Italy, silver medallists from 2013 and 2014, had a chance to challenge for a medal, but a dropped ribbon late in their second routine cost them as they slipped to fourth ahead of Japan and Israel.

Defending bronze medallists Belarus finished down in seventh ahead of China, United States and Ukraine, with all 10 securing a spot at next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Seven other countries - Uzbekistan, Germany, Azerbaijan, Greece, Finland, Brazil and France - will battle for the final qualification spots at the Olympic Test Event, scheduled for Rio from April 22 to 24.

Group event finals are due to take place tomorrow, with Russia still on course to secure a clean-sweep of every gold medal. 



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