Ashram, Kaleyn and the Bulgarian group shine in Sofia

To the delight of rhythmic fans worldwide, the World Cup series kicked off in the Bulgarian capital Sofia last weekend. The attendance figures were phenomenal, only the Russian national team didn’t travel.

2020 European Champion Linoy Ashram (ISR) tied with Bulgarian star Boryana Kaleyn at the halfway stage of the all-around competition. On day 2, Ashram made the difference with clubs, clinching yet another all-around crown.  

Kaleyn got her revenge in apparatus finals, winning her first ever World Cup gold in the first final with hoop, and ending the weekend with three gold medals. Ashram won the ball final. Belarussians Alina Harnasko and Anastasia Salos won two medals each, bronze in the all-around and silver with ball for Harnasko while Salos grabbed the silver with hoop and ribbon. Sofia Raffaeli claimed her first World Cup medals: silver with clubs and bronze with ribbon. Italy’s future seems assured.

The Bulgarian group scored a massive 44.150 for their 5 balls routine, securing their all-around title with an excellent 3 + 2 routine on day 2. Finishing 13 points behind were Azerbaijan for the silver while Japan clinched the bronze.

In the apparatus finals, Bulgaria added both titles to their collection, with Japan twice in second place. The group from St Petersburg won the bronze medal for their 5 balls routine while Azerbaijan clinched the bronze in the 3 + 2 final.

 

Medallists

Individuals

All-around

1. Linoy Ashram (ISR) 98.450
2. Boryana Kaleyn (BUL) 98.250
3. Alina Harnasko (BLR) 96.150

 

Hoop

1. Boryana Kaleyn (BUL) 26.150
2. Anastasia Salos (BLR) 26.100
3. Linoy Ashram (ISR) 26.100

 

Ball

1. Linoy Ashram (ISR) 26.500
2. Alina Harnasko (BLR) 25.850
3. Boryana Kaleyn (BUL) 25.500

 

Clubs

1. Boryana Kaleyn (BUL) 26.100
2. Sofia Raffaeli (ITA) 24.950
3. Katrin Taseva (BUL) 24.500

 

Ribbon

1. Boryana Kaleyn (BUL) 22.150
2. Anastasia Salos (BLR) 21.600
3. Sofia Raffaeli (ITA) 21.350

 

Groups

All-around

1. Bulgaria 84.350
2. Azerbaijan 70.950
3. Japan 70.650

 

5 balls

1. Bulgaria 39.800
2. Japan 39.700
3. Russia 33.550

 

3 + 2

1. Bulgaria 39.750
2. Japan 35.800
3. Azerbaijan 33.450

 

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

The World Cup series continues in Tashkent (UZB) from 16 to 18 April!