Arina Averina and Russian group win European all-around titles at #EChVarna2021

With 2 Olympic tickets at stake, 1 for individuals and 1 for groups, the all-around finals at the 37th European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics provided tons of excitement.

Russian superstars Dina and Arina Averina were the usual suspects to beat. Dina qualified in first place to the final but in a repeat of 2018, it was Arina who had the better day. She posted a total score of 109.100, against 107.325 for her sister. As the twins have hinted at retiring after the Olympics, Dina’s fabulous medal collection could miss the European all-around gold. In a last-minute plot twist Dina was overtaken for the silver medal by crowd favourite Boryana Kaleyn. As the very last performer, the 20-year-old Bulgarian showed the clubs routine of her life, scoring 27.950, passing by the triple World Champion with 3 tenths. Varna’s Palace of Culture and Sports erupted with joy. This is the first all-around medal at a European Championships for Bulgaria since Maria Petrova’s victory in 1994!

Having qualified in second place, defending Champion Linoy Ashram (ISR) drew the shortest straw. Competing first in set A, Ashram suffered from a low score with ribbon which eventually bumped her off the podium.

In the group all-around final, Russia presented the most difficult routines to take the European crown with almost 3 points ahead of Italy’s Farfalle who edged Israel by a tiny margin.

The Russian anthem was heard a third time today as winners of the team competition. This time they held off Belarus and Israel.

Pending confirmation from FIG, Fanni Pigniczki (HUN) clinched the individual Olympic spot while Ukraine will perform in the group competition.

 

Congratulations to all medallists!

All-Around

Individuals

GOLD Arina Averina (RUS) 109.100

SILVER Boryana Kaleyn (BUL) 107.625

BRONZE Dina Averina (RUS) 107.325

 

Groups

GOLD Russia 90.250

SILVER Italy 87.450

BRONZE Israel 87.400

 

Team

GOLD Russia 305.675

SILVER Belarus 290.575

BRONZE Israel 286.650

 

Find the full results on https://www.europeangymnastics.com/event/2021-european-championships-rhythmic-gymnastics/results

These Europeans concludes tomorrow with the apparatus finals!