The third Rhythmic World Challenge Cup is in Kazan (RUS) this week, and with the time getting short before the 2018 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Sofia (BUL) from 10-16 September, what is normally a second-level competition is suddenly an all-star warm-up, including:
∙ Arina Averina (RUS) ~ 2017 World Champion in Ball and Ribbon
∙ Dina Averina (RUS) ~ 2017 World Champion in All-Around, Hoops and Clubs
∙ Linoy Ashram (ISR) ~ 2017 World Championships bronzes in All-Around and Ribbon
∙ Katsiaryna Halkina (BLR) ~ 2017 World Championships silver in Clubs
∙ Kaho Minagawa (JPN) ~ 2017 World Championships bronze in Hoop
This group of five gymnasts won 14 of the 15 individual medals at last year’s World Championships, with the Averina twins winning all five golds and four of the five silvers (plus one bronze) between them. Thus, this weekend’s events are very much a preview of what is to come in Sofia in less than a month.
The U.S. has Laura Zeng and Evita Griskenis competing; Zeng is the six-time defending U.S. All-Around Champion and was sixth in the Worlds All-Around last year. Griskenis has been second to Zeng the last two years and won the U.S. title in Ball this year.
Look for results here.
