Reigning Individual All-Around world silver medallist, Sofia Raffaeli and Israel’s rising star, Daria Atamanov – third in the All-Around competition at the 2023 World Championships in Valencia – were among the four gymnasts qualified to both Apparatus finals during the opening day of the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup held in Palaio Faliro.
Besides Raffaeli and Atamanov, the world’s Hoop bronze medallist Fanni Pigniczki from Hungary and Bulgaria’s Group world champion Eva Brezalieva also advanced to Sunday’s Hoop and Ball finals of the first leg of the World Cup series taking place in the Faliro Olympic Indoor Hall.
Nevertheless, it was Bulgaria’s Elvira Krasnobaeva with Hoop and Israel’s Daniela Munits with Ball the ones who received the highest score in qualifying with 35.300 and 34.050 points respectively earning the crowd’s warmest applause along with Greek champion and Olympic hopeful Panagiota Lytra who booked a ticket to the Hoop final with a score of 31.950 points.
Friday was not the best day for Olympic Bronze medallist Alina Harnasko who didn’t make to either finals and lies 17th following the completion of the qualification round in the Hoop and the Ball.
Brezalieva holds the highest score halfway through the Individual All-Around race for the gold with a total of 66.900 points. Atamanov currently stands in second place with 66.450 and Krasnobaeva in third with 65.550, a mere 0.250 ahead of fourth-placed Raffaeli.
The full list of the Hoop and Ball qualifiers:
Hoop
1. KRASNOBAEVA Elvira BUL 35.300
2. BREZALIEVA Eva BUL 34.000
3. LEWINSKA Liliana POL 33.200
4. PIGNICZKI Fanni HUN 32.950
5. ATAMANOV Daria ISR 32.600
6. BEREZINA Polina ESP 32.600
7. RAFFAELI Sofia ITA 32.250
8. LYTRA Panagiota GRE 31.950
Ball
1. MUNITS Daniela ISR 34.050
2. ATAMANOV Daria ISR 33.850
3. RAFFAELI Sofia ITA 33.050
4. BREZALIEVA Eva BUL 32.900
5. ALEXANDRE Maria Eduarda BRA 32.300
6. PIGNICZKI Fanni HUN 32.000
7. KEYS Rin USA 31.700
8. KARBANOV Helene FRA 31.650
European Champions, Israel’s five-hoop Group, was a class of their own in qualifying with a scintillating performance which was awarded with 35.550 by the judges. The Israelis, already qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games, not only advanced to Sunday’s final with the highest score amongst all contestants, but took also the upper hand for the Group’s All-Around contest which will be decided on Saturday with the 3 Ribbons and 2 Balls competition.
World champions China’s Group ranked second with 5 Hoops and Italy were third. Hosts Greece, boosted by the fantastic atmosphere created in the Fairo Olympic Indoor Hall by the local fans dramatically advanced to the Apparatus final from seventh place along with Spain who grabbed the eighth spot.
The full list of the Group’s 5 Hoops qualifiers
1. Israel 35.550
2. China 34.900
3. Italy 34.300
4. Germany 34.000
5. Mexico 33.750
6. Ukraine 33.350
7. Greece 33.000
8. Spain 33.000
The Opening Ceremony
The World Cup was officially declared open by the FIG President Morinari Watanabe. The Opening Ceremony honoured with their presence very important personalities from the Greek and international sports world including the President Watanabe, the Greek Minister of Sports, Giannis Vroutsis, the President of the European Olympic Committees, Spyros Capralos, the Mayor of Palaio Faliro, Giannis Fostiropoulos, the President of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation Athanasios Stathopoulos, and the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Eleni Michopoulou.
In his short welcome speech Mayor Giannis Fostiropoulos, stated: “It is an honour and give us great joy to welcome the FIG World Cup to our municipality. This excellent event not only highlights the talent and dedication of the athletes, but also turns the spotlight to our city and helps Paleo Faliro become a sports hub.
“Regardless of nationality, or any other element, the gymnasts are all bond together thanks to their great passion for the sport. Over the next couple of days, I am sure that we will experience great moments and watch high-level routines, while our city will hopefully meet our guests’ expectations and offer them the warmest hospitality.”
The President of the Organising Committee of the World Cup, Eleni Michopoulou said: “On behalf of the Organising Committee and the Greek rhythmic gymnastics, I welcome all delegations to the city of Palaio Faliro.
“We are grateful to have the opportunity to welcome here great gymnasts from 38 countries, who will present unique routines and highlight the beauty of rhythmic gymnastics. The Hellenic Gymnastic Federation has made tremendous efforts to offer the best conditions to our guests and we hope to live up to everyone’s expectations.”
The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and President of the European Olympic Committees, Spyros Capralos, addressing the foreign delegations, said: “Welcome to Palaio Faliro for the third successive World Cup held in Greece and the first for the 2024 series.
“This is an Olympic year hence the Athens World Cup gives to those who have already qualified the opportunity to test their strength, but also for those seeking qualification the chance to check where they currently stand ahead of the crucial European Championships.
“We are glad that the FIG President Morinari Watanabe and the Greek Minister of Sports Giannis Vroutsis are among us.”
The Deputy Sports Minister of Greece Ioannis Vroutsis said: “It’s a great day for Greek sports as this event organised by the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation has brought together athletes from 38 countries and it’s really something special to see the flags waving side by side.
“I want to welcome President Morinari Watanabe, to congratulate the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation who has done everything for the success of the event but also the Hellenic Olympic Committee which contributes to the development of our sport, in a country that gave birth to the Olympic Games.
“I am optimistic that this great World Cup will succeed so that in the end we can say that another event that took place in Athens, in Palaio Faliro in Greece, was a huge success».
The President of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation, Athanasios Stathopoulos, said: “I welcome you to the World Cup held at the Indoor Olympic Hall of Palaio Faliro.
“I would like to thank Mayor Giannis Fostiropoulos for supporting the organisation for three successive years, Minister Yiannis Vroutsis for his continuous support, the Governor of the Attica Region Nikos Hardalias and the Deputy Regional Governor Vassiliki Millousi who are always on our side. Also Mr. Capralos, who has always supported the Federation.
“Finally, a big ‘thank you’ goes to the World Gymnastics Federation President Morinari Watanabe.”
The FIG President Morinari Watanabe declared the Opening of the World Cup: “I am very happy to be here in Palaio Faliro in Greece, the country where the Olympic Games were born.
“It is an honour to be at the World Cup in Athens, because I know that gymnastics has a special place in the hearts of Greeks and I look forward to watching all the routines of the great athletes who will compete in an atmosphere of friendship and competitiveness.
“I want to thank the HOC President Spyros Capralos, the President of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation Athanasios Stathopoulos, the Mayor of Palaio Faliro Giannis Fostiropoulos, and all the members of the Organising Committee as well as the volunteers. I hope you will enjoy the competition.”
