The Belgian delegation has seized the opportunity presented by the absence of the Russian squad after they were banned by the International Gymnastics Federation following the invasion of Ukraine.

On only four occasions since this event began in 1974 - then known as the World Sports Acrobatic Championships - has the medal table not been topped by either the Soviet Union or Russia.

Belgium proved the dominant nation in Russia’s absence at the National Gymnastics Arena in Azerbaijan, finishing the World Championships with seven gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

Kim Bergmans, Lise de Meyst, Bo Hollebosch were among the winners on the final day, the trio winning gold in the women’s group dynamic event.

The Belgian team triumphed with a score of 29.130 points to win their second gold of the World Championships, following combined success two days ago.

Portugal’s Beatriz Carneiro, Barbara da Silva Sequeira, Francisca Maia were silver medallists on 28.210, followed by Israel’s Meshi Hurvitz, Yarin Ovadia, Inbal Zeitounei on 28.140.

Helena Heijens and Bram Roettger claimed Belgium’s final gold medal, securing the mixed pair balance title with a score of 29.360 points.

Britain’s Natasha Hutchinson and Dylan Howells were the runners-up 28.940, as Germany’s Pia Schuetze and Daniel Blintsov won bronze on the same points total due to their lower execution score.

Rita Ferreira and Rita Teixeira helped Portugal finish second on the medals table with three gold and four silvers.

The pairing completed a hat-trick of triumphs by winning the women’s pair dynamic event, adding to their combined and balance success.

Ferreira and Teixeira scored 28.000 points to win the event, ending clear of Alexandra Rudakova and Damira Talgat of Kazakhstan on 27.430.

Dorina Bernath and Noemi Stattner of Hungary won the bronze medal with 26.800 points.

Britain and Kazakhstan also ended the World Championships on a high, earning one gold medal apiece on the final day.

Britain’s Bradley Gold, Archie Goonesekera, Finlay Gray, Andrew Morris-Hunt won the men’s group dynamic event, after the trio were awarded a score of 28.690.

Israel’s Hen Banuz, Lior Borodin, Amir Daus, Tomer Offir were second on 27.900, just 0.010 points clear of third placed Simon de Wever, Wannes Vlaeminck and Jonas Raus, Viktor Vermeire of Belgium.

Kazakhstan were crowned winners in the men’s pair balance competition, as Daniyel Dil and Vadim Shulyar achieved a winning score of 28.530 points.

Portugal’s Fabio Beco and Bruno Ramalho were the silver medallists on 28.020 points.

United States’ Angel Felix and Braiden McDougall were unable win their third gold of the World Championships, having already earned combined and dynamic titles.

The duo settled for bronze in the balance event on a total of 27.900 points to leave the US third on a medals table that had a distinctly unfamiliar look about it.