Italian festa as Agiurgiuculese and Baldassarri claim first World Cup victories

At the last World Challenge Cup of the year, in the Portuguese city of Portimao, a nice variety of gymnasts and countries managed to climb onto the medal podium. In the individual all-around, Russian fan favourite Aleksandra Soldatova claimed the crown ahead of Italy’s Milena Baldassarri and Belarussian Alina Harnasko. In apparatus finals however. Soldatova fell ill and withdrew after two finals. That day belonged to the magnificent Italian duo of Alexandra Agiurgiuculese and Milena Baldassarri as they teamed up to sweep the gold medals. First, Agiurgiuculese became the first ever Italian to win a World Cup gold as she clinched gold with hoop, followed just a little bit later by Baldassarri’s victory with ball. Agiurgiuculese claimed the clubs title as well, while Baldassarri was victorious with ribbon. The other medals went to Harnasko and her teammate Anastasia Salos, Soldatova, Ukraine’s Yeva Meleshchuk and the USA’s Camilla Feeley.

The group competition joined the Italian festa as the Farfalle claimed the all-around and the 5 balls title, leaving only the 3 + 2 gold to Belarus, adding to the two bronze medals already won. Japan picked up two silver and one bronze medal.

 

Results (top 3)

Individuals

All-around

1.       Aleksandra Soldatova (RUS) 85.150

2.       Milena Baldassarri (ITA) 84.250

3.       Alina Harnasko (BLR) 81.150

 

Hoop

1.       Alexandra Agiurgiuculese (ITA) 22.650

2.       Anastasia Salos (BLR) 21.500

3.       Alina Harnasko (BLR) 21.400

 

Ball

1.       Milena Baldassarri (ITA) 22.300

2.       Alexandra Agiurgiuculese (ITA) 22.000

3.       Aleksandra Soldatova (RUS) 21.900

 

Clubs

1.       Alexandra Agiurgiuculese (ITA) 22.500

2.       Milena Baldassarri (ITA) 22.400

3.       Anastasia Salos (BLR) 21.850

 

Ribbon

1.       Milena Baldassarri (ITA) 20.250

2.       Yeva Meleshchuk (UKR) 18.850

3.       Camilla Feeley (USA) 18.300

 

Groups

All-around

1.       Italy 58.050

2.       Japan 56.150

3.       Belarus 55.100

 

5 balls

1.       Italy 29.500

2.       Japan 28.950

3.       Belarus 28.900

 

3 + 2

1.       Belarus 28.950

2.       Italy 28.550

3.       Japan 28.400

 

For full results, please consult the FIG website: https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/events/searchresults.php

This concludes the World Challenge Cup series for this year. Next stop … the World Championships in Baku (AZE) from 16 to 22 September 2019!