Highlights of the 2020 Rhythmic Europeans!

After an extremely uncertain year, we finally managed to hold our first Europeans of the year, at the end of November. 111 rhythmic gymnasts from 23 countries travelled to Kyiv (UKR) to battle for continental glory in the junior individual, senior group and senior individual competition.

From the first non-Russian senior all-around Champion since 1997 over historic performances by gymnasts from Ukraine, Israel, Estonia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and many more, to getting used to the new covid-19 standard of organising events, here are our highlights … in no particular order!

 

All-around glory for Linoy Ashram

Linoy has been writing history for Israel for many years now. In Kyiv, she had a big opportunity to clinch the gold after she came close at last year’s European Games. As she stepped onto the competition floor full of energy, showing off her high leaps and dramatic spins, she did certainly lived up to the expectations. She needed a fantastic hoop routine to surpass Alina Harnasko’s total score and Ashram delivered big time. First ever European all-around Champion from outside of the former ‘Eastern bloc’!

So close for Alina Harnasko

What an absolutely brilliant competition by the Belarussian youngster. She stepped out on the carpet and performed flawlessly, putting the pressure on Ashram’s shoulders. Both gymnasts scored a massive 100.900 but the tie was broken according to the rules based on technical deductions. Silver for Harnasko and bronze for her compatriot Anastasia Salos.

Turkish delight

The Turkish group delivered an excellent 3 hoops / 2 pairs of clubs routine in the apparatus final. Their score immediately put them in the lead with the guarantee of a medal. None of the other groups could overtake them though, so their first ever European medal … is gold!

Estonia grabs bronze

The ladies of the Estonian group delighted the audience with their 5 balls routine that earned them the bronze medal, their first ever medal at a European Championships!

Tears of joy for Hungary

Evelin Viktoria Kocsis brought tears to the eyes of the Hungarian delegation as she became their first ever European medallist. Competing in three finals, her clubs routine earned her the historic bronze medal.

Host nation crowned most successful gymnasts

The Ukrainian group earned the title of most successful gymnasts of the event as they earned 2 European titles (team & 5 balls), placed second with 3 hoops and 2 pairs of clubs and clinched the bronze medal in the all-around.

The future is golden

In the junior apparatus finals, several gymnasts announced their talent to the world. Israel’s Daria Atamanov , training with Linoy Ashram and coach Ayelet Zussman, won gold with clubs, silver with the team and with rope and finished her competition with bronze for her ribbon. Ukraine’s Polina Karika added the ball title to her team victory while Dina Agisheva (BLR) was victorious with rope. Bulgaria’s Stliana Nikolova placed first with ribbon and second with ball, stepping into the footsteps of her mother, Paulina Nikolova, who was part of the Bulgarian group that won the World Championships in 1983 and 1985.

 

Back-to-basic leotards rule in Azerbaijan

A refreshing change from all the glitter that has dominated rhythmic fashion for many years now, the group from Azerbaijan made quite a statement when they wore simple black leotards for their 5 balls qualification. The contrast with their red balls was remarkable and shifted the focus back to their composition and choreography. The senior individuals followed suit with Arzu Jalilova dressed in white velvet and Zohra Aghamirova performing in a simple dark blue v-neck and a silver ball.

 

8 countries returned home with medals!

 

Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
Israel	3	3	1	7
Ukraine	3	2	1	6
Belarus	1	2	2	5
Bulgaria	1	1	1	3
Turkey	1	-	-	1
Azerbaijan	-	1	2	3
Estonia	-	-	1	1
Hungary	-	-	1	1

 

 

Last but certainly not least, we say THANK YOU to the Ukrainian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and the Local Organising Committee of Kyiv 2020 for all the hard work, for making sure the athletes and their entourage were safe and for offering a glimpse of hope in these troubling times. And thank you of course to all the gymnasts too … You make this world glow!