Ronit Shamuilov, Julia Garbuz and Laura Zeng

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 26, 2012 – Ronit Shamuilov of Brooklyn, N.Y/Isadora, Julia Garbuz of Eden Prairie, Minn./NorthWest Rhythmic LLC, and Laura Zeng of Libertyville, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, won individual events and advanced as part of a group of 12 junior competitors to the all-around final at the 2012 Rhythmic National Championships in San Jose, Calif., on June 26.

"I was a little nervous coming in, but after ball I felt better," said Shamuilov, who won four event medals including two gold and two silver. "I guess when I’m nervous it gives me a little burst."

Shamuilov earned gold on ball with a 26.125, trailed by Zeng with a 25.600 and Garbuz with a 25.425.

Zeng won hoop with a 25.500, followed by Serena Lu of Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora, Monica Rokhman of Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, and Shamuilov, who all tied for second with a 24.900.

The same three took to the podium in ribbon after Shamuilov won with a 25.700, followed by Zeng with a 25.300 and Garbuz with a 24.550.

Garbuz earned clubs gold with a 25.800, Shamuilov won silver with a 25.675 and Lu earned bronze with a 25.600.

With two event titles, Shamuilov accumulated 102.400 points at the all-around preliminary and leads the all-around standings after the first day. Zeng ranks second with 101. 850, and Garbuz is third with 99.875.

Twelve competitors advance to the June 27 all-around final: Brigita Budginas of Agoura Hills, Calif./Platinum Gymnastics Academy; Camilla Feeley of Germantown, Md./Elegance Gymnastics; Andria Gao of San Diego, Calif./Seawind Gymnastics; Natalie McGiffert of Topanga, Calif./Platinum Gymnastics Academy; Elina Nikerina of Deerfield, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center; Jennifer Rokhman of Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center; Kristen Shaldybin of Allston, Mass./Isadora; Garbuz; Lu; M. Rokhman; Shamuilov; and Zeng.

The all-around competition will determine the eight-member junior national team to be named following competition on June 27. Combined scores from the two days of competition will determine the team.

Rhythmic junior and senior all-around competition continues at 12 p.m. PST on June 27 at the San Jose Convention Center.

Background information

  • San Jose Convention Center. The San Jose Convention Center offers plenty of versatile space: 143,000 square feet of column-free exhibit space; room for 1,000 10′ x 10′ booths; a 22,000-square-foot ballroom; 100,000 square feet of pre-function space; 31 meeting rooms with capacities from 50 to 2,400 in theater-style seating; and banquet seating and kitchen facilities for 5,000. The convention center was the site for the 2007 USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show and the rhythmic gymnastics competition for the 2007 Visa Championships.

  • San Jose Sports Authority. The San Jose Sports Authority is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the City of San Jose’s economic development, visibility and civic pride through sports. Serving as the City’s sports commission since its inception in 1991, the Sports Authority has provided leadership and support to attract and host hundreds of sporting events in San Jose and the South Bay. The Sports Authority also supports and operates community, youth and amateur sports programs, including the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, The First Tee of San Jose, and the REACH Youth Scholarship Program. To learn more, visit www.sjsa.org.