History made for Italian rhythmic gymnastics as Sofia Raffaeli wins gold in Palaio Faliro

The Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup series kicked off last weekend in Palaio Faliro, Greece. History was made in this city right next to Athens as young Italian gymnast Sofia Raffaeli won the very first all-around gold at a World Cup series event for her country.

With a two-point margin ahead of the rest of the field, 18-year-old Rafaelli topped the all-around rankings, with Israeli teammates Daria Atamanov and Michelle Segal winning silver and bronze respectively. After a historic gold in the all-around, Sofia Raffaeli continued to shine during the event finals, winning both the ball and the clubs finals and clinching a fourth medal from Palaio Faliro, a silver in the hoop final.

Silver medallist in the all-around, Daria Atamanov (ISR) was the other golden star of the event finals, winning hoop and ribbon. She also takes home two additional silver medals (clubs and ball).

Germany made a strong appearance in the event finals with Margarita Kolosov taking bronze in the ball final and silver in ribbon while teammate Melanie Dargel earned herself the hoop bronze.

In the group competition, France won the gold in the all-around with home crowd favourites Greece taking silver just a few tenth behind. The all-around bronze went to Poland. As in individuals, Israel stood out in the groups event finals, leaping towards gold in both 5 hoops and 3 ribbons + 2 balls. Greece and Poland performed well and earned themselves one more medal each, a silver in 3 ribbons + 2 balls for Poland and a silver in 5 hoops for Poland.

 

Results (top 3)

Individuals

All-around

1. Sofia Raffaeli (ITA) 122.650

2. Daria Atamanov (ISR) 120.650

3. Michelle Segal (ISR) 116.650

 

Hoop

1. Daria Atamanov (ISR) 32.700

2. Sofia Raffaeli (ITA) 31.700

3. Melanie Dargel (GER) 29.750

 

Ball

1. Sofia Raffaeli (ITA) 33.150

2. Daria Atamanov (ISR) 31.900

3. Margarita Kolosov (GER) 31.250

 

Clubs

1. Sofia Raffaeli (ITA) 32.450

2. Daria Atamanov (ISR) 31.200

3. Panagyota Lytra (GRE) 29.750

 

Ribbon

1. Daria Atamanov (ISR) 31.300

2. Margarita Kolosov (GER) 29.500

3. Eva Brezalieva (BUL) 29.450

 

Groups

All-around

1. France 47.800

2. Greece 47.450

3. Poland 46.700

 

5 Hoops

1. Israel 27.700

2. Poland 27.500

3. Kazakhstan 26.700

 

3 Ribbons + 2 Balls

1. Israel 26.600

2. Greece 24.250

3. Poland 22.950

 

Find the full results on the FIG website: https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/events/searchresults.php

The 2022 FIG Rhythmic World Cup series continues in Sofia (BUL) from 8 to 10 April!