Julie Zetlin
© Diane Bidermann

MIE, Japan, Sept. 10, 2009 – The individual event finals and all-around qualifications concluded at the 2009 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships Thursday at the Sun Arena in Mie, Japan. Event champions were name in rope, hoop, ball and ribbon and 24 gymnasts with a max of two per country qualified for the individual all-around.

Olympic and World Games champion Evgenia Kanaeva of Russia swept the individual event titles winning rope (28.350), hoop (28.325), ball (28.575) and ribbon (28.000). Kanaeva also led the all-around qualification with a score of 86.100.

Aliya Garayeva of Azerbaija took silver in ball (27.325), while Ukraine’s Anna Bessonova claimed the silver in ribbon (27.900) and bronze in ball (27.250). Silviya Miteva of Bulgaria won bronze in ribbon (26.850).

The top USA finisher, Julie Zetlin of Bethesda, Md., placed 27th all-around with a total score of 72.550 and is one of four reserves for the all-around competition. Zetlin scored a 24.900 (23rd) in rope, 22.850 (58th) in hoop, 24.025 (34th) in ball, and 23.625 (38th) in ribbon. The USA’s Ava Gehringer of Naperville, Ill., was 34th in the all-around rankings (taking into consideration only two per country can qualify into the all-around finals) with a 70.975, earning a 23.500 (45th) in rope, 23.600 (38th) in hoop, 23.700 (40th) in ball, and 23.675 (36th) in ribbon.

The remaining competition schedule is as follows: 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. 10, 2009

Individual event finals

Ball finals
1. Evgenia Kanaeva, Russia, 28.575
2. Aliya Garayeva, Azerbaija, 27.325
3. Anna Bessonova, Ukraine, 27.250

Ribbon finals
1. Evgenia Kanaeva, Russia, 28.000
2. Anna Bessonova, Ukraine, 27.900
3. Sylviya Miteva, Bulgaria, 26.850