China pens history with their first Olympic gold in group rhythmic gymnastics
China clinched gold in rhythmic gymnastics registering their first ever ace in the event, coached by former Russian Olympic winner.
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The Chinese team in group rhythmic gymnastics, (Image courtesy: X)
In a historic first, Oriental dominion took centerstage in the Olympic rhythmic gymnastics group all-around final as China bagged their first gold medal in the history of the sport. Denying the European dominance that has seen countries like Russia, Belarus and Ukraine call the shots, the Chinese women carved history in Paris.
As China made it to the podium, it wasn’t just their girls who were lauded but their coach, Anastasia Bliznyuk, former Russian Olympic champion, was also the nexus of quite a few discussions. After Russia got banned, Bliznyuk took over the reins of the Chinese team in 2022 and two years later, she propelled the young girls to a remarkable podium finish.
People’s Republic of China finished with a score of 69.800, while Azerbaijan came second with a score of 66.450. France continued their impressive run in the event, clinching the bronze with 66.000. This was also the first time since the Los Angeles games in 1984 that the Soviet nations weren’t a part of this prestigious event.
As Port de La Chapelle Arena looked on in sheer admiration, this latest addition to China’s tally of gold medals saw them level the ace with USA. Both the nations have landed 40 gold medals each, while USA sits at the top with a tally of 126 medals overall, that features 44 silver and 42 bronze apart from their ace finishes. China is next in line with 91 medals in their tally that has seen them rack up 27 silver and 24 bronze medals, apart from the golden shards of glory.
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A glance at how China clinched gold in the group rhythmic gymnastics
China secured an early lead with a 36.950 hoop score as their athletes donning black and hold leotards and tiaras moved in perfect harmony, clinically executing those fancy leaps and tumbles. In what continued to be a humdinger show of agility and balance, the Chinese team soon started their ribbon and ball routine which saw them holding three ribbons tightly while plucking them, balancing on a guqin.
The Chinese contingent finished on a high as they caused the air to be filled with gasps of adulation, performing two-and-a-half minutes of turns, acrobatics and pirouettes. Apart from China’s historic feat, this was also Azerbaijan’s first Olympic medal in the event, making this an evening to remember for the athletes.
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Rohit Ganguly
(509 Articles Published)