VALENCIA, Spain (August 23, 2023) – Day 1 of individual competition featured Americans competing in hoop and ball at the 2023 Rhythmic World Championships in Valencia, Spain.

In hoop competition, Lili Mizuno (Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics) was 25th in qualifying with a 30.150 while Evita Griskenas (Orland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center) was 29th with a 29.900. Sofia Raffaeli of Italy claimed the first qualifying spot to the hoop final with a 35.850.

Griskenas scored a 30.600 in ball qualifications to land 26th and Mizuno was 32nd with a 29.950. Bulgaria’s Stiliana Nikolova was top qualifier with a 35.150. Raffaeli currently leads the all-around field with a 70.100 while Griskenas and Mizuno sit 26th and 29th all-around with scores of 60.500 and 60.100, respectively.

The World Championships continue tomorrow, August 24 with Griskenas and Mizuno taking the floor for individual all-around qualifications and clubs and ribbon qualifications and finals beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET.