Bulgaria clinches historic junior team title on opening day of #Varna2026

Day 1 of the 2026 European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics and it’s already history written for the host nation Bulgaria. Today the junior individual gymnasts competed in their qualification rounds for a place in tomorrow's apparatus finals and for the team medals.

Competing under the loud support of the Bulgarian audience, Aleksandra Petrova, Dea Emilova and Siyana Alekova showed exactly what was expected from them, and even more! With stellar performances, the talented trio took the top spot and never let go. Gold for Bulgaria, for the first time ever in the junior team competition!

An emotional moment also for Ukraine as they fought hard to show their worth. Courtesy of Varvara Chubarova, Sofiia Krainska and Sofiia Kulikova, their total score amounted to 100.550 and was more than enough for the silver medal.

The battle for bronze was a tight affair between Israel and Georgia, ending with just 0.050 difference: Mariia Mlachina, Rebekka Miller and Alice Rozenberg totalled 97.950 for Israel while the magnificent Nita Jamagidze lead Georgia to a total score of 97.900.

 

Congratulations to the medallists!

GOLD Bulgaria 102.250

SILVER Ukraine 100.550

BRONZE Israel 97.950

Find the full results on the event website: 2026 European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics - Varna (BUL) | European Gymnastics.

These European Championships continue tomorrow with the senior individual qualifications (hoop and ball) and the junior apparatus finals.