© Simone Ferraro

SOFIA, Bulgaria, April 8, 2022 – Lili Mizuno (Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center) sits sixth midway through the all-around competition at the 2022 Sofia World Cup in Bulgaria. Mizuno posted a combined 57.400 across the hoop and ball apparatus on Day 1 and will look to clinch her second top-10 all-around finish in international competition this year tomorrow with performances on clubs and ribbon.

Mizuno’s 29.550 qualified her to the hoop final in the fifth position, while her 27.850 on ball secured her the second reserve spot for Sunday’s final. Bulgaria’s Boryana Kaleyn led the way on both apparatus with a 32.950 and 31.150, respectively, en route to the all-around lead after two events. Heading into Saturday, Kaleyn (64.100), Italy’s Sofia Raffaeli (62.050) and Bulgaria’s Stiliana Nikolova (59.650) comprise the top-three, while Hungary’s Evelin Viktoria Kocsis (59.550) and Italy’s Milena Baldassarri (59.350) round out the top five.

In all, nearly 40 gymnasts from 27 countries are in action this weekend in Sofia. Mizuno will take on clubs and ribbon with Group D tomorrow at the Arena Armeets Sports Hall beginning at 7:10 a.m. ET. Sunday’s apparatus finals are set to commence at 5:35 a.m. ET.