MIE, Japan, Sept. 8, 2009 – The 2009 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships marked the halfway point of the qualification rounds and event finals when the second day concluded Tuesday at the Sun Arena in Mie, Japan. Both rope and hoop concluded with their event finals, and competition picks up on Sept. 9 with two days of ball and ribbon.

Olympic and World Games champion Evgenia Kanaeva of Russia won both the rope and hoop titles. The USA’s Julie Zetlin of Bethesda, Md., finished with a score of 24.900 in rope, landing in 20th place after allowing for a maximum of two gymnasts per country. Gehringer’s 23.500 put her in 36th. For hoop, Gehringer was in 34th with 23.600 after adjustments for multiple athletes, and Zetlin was 48th at 22.850. The all-around is at the halfway mark and will not be determined until the conclusion of the individual events.

To win her titles, Kanaeva posted a 28.350 in rope and a 28.325 in hoop. Russia’s Daria Kondakova also earned the silver medal on both apparatus, with a 27.825 on rope and 28.225 for hoop. Ukraine’s Anna Bessonova claimed the bronze in rope (27.575) and Belarus’ Melitina Staniouta was third in hoop (27.150).

The remaining competition schedule is as follows: Sept. 9-10, competition in ball and ribbon, with individual event champions determined for both on Sept. 10; Sept. 11, individual all-around; Sept. 12, general group competition; and Sept. 13, group finals (hoop, ribbon/rope). The individual event competition on Sept.7-10 determines the team rankings and the top 24 gymnasts who advance to the individual all-around.

2009 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships
Mie, Japan
Sept. 8, 2009
Individual event finals

Rope finals
1. Evgenia Kanaeva, Russia, 28.350
2. Daria Kondakova, Russia, 27.825
3. Anna Bessonova, Ukraine, 27.575

Hoop finals
1. Evgenia Kanaeva, Russia, 28.325
2. Daria Kondakova, Russia, 28.225
3. Melitina Staniouta, Belarus, 27.150