The Italian team of Martina Centofanti, Agnese Duranti, Alessia Maurelli, Daniela Mogurean and Martina Santandrea claimed gold in the three hoops and two pairs of clubs event with a score of 42.275.

The RGF were forced to settle for silver after their routine was given 40.950 points.

Japan ended narrowly adrift of the RGF in third having scored 40.900.

Victory for Italy banished the disappointment of losing out to the RGF in the five balls final earlier on the final day of the Championships in the Japanese city.

It is their first world title since they won the same event back in 2019.

"We love hoops and clubs, and this victory is compensation for all the sacrifices and efforts we have all made in the last two years," said Maurelli. 

"We train with a big heart, and today we put it all on the field of play. 

"We wanted something more; we wanted to listen to our national anthem. 

"We have really enjoyed this competition."

The RGF produced a typically-superb performance in the five balls event to clinch a seventh gold medal out of a possible nine at the event.

Anastasiia Bliznyuk, Polina Orlova, Angelina Shkatova, Maria Tolkacheva, and Alisa Tishchenko's routine was rewarded with 46.000, including a difficulty score that was half a point higher than the rest of the competition.

Italy earned silver on 45.600, while the bronze medals went to Japan.

"We had a nice competition," said Bliznyuk.

"We are satisfied with this result, and our coaches are happy with us."