© Tom Theobald

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 19, 2019 – Laura Zeng of Libertyville, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Center, will compete in the ball final at the World Cup at the Gymnastics Sports Hall in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Competition continues tomorrow with the second day of event qualifications and the all-around final at the World Cup, which is part of the International Gymnastics Federation’s rhythmic gymnastics World Cup Series.

After two of four events, Zeng is sixth in the all-around at 36.900. Russia’s Anastasia Guzenkova sits at the top of the all-around ranking at 41.400. Bulgaria’s Boryana Kaleyn is not far behind at 41.150, Russia’s Aleksandra Soldatova rounds out the top three with a 39.850. Lili Mizuno of Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, ranks 20th (28.700).

In the ball qualification, Zeng earned the third best score of 19.150. Guzenkova posted a 20.450, and Kaleyn was second at 20.200. Mizuno claimed a 12.750 for 29th. In hoop, Zeng finished 10th at 17.750, and Mizuno was 19th at 15.950. Soldatova had the top score at 21.350, followed by the Ukraine’s Vlada Nikolochenko (21.000) and Guzenkova (20.950).

The all-around titles for both individual and group rhythmic gymnasts will be determined at the end of competition on April 20. The top eight gymnasts and the top eight groups for each event advance to the finals on April 21. There is a maximum of two per country for each event final.

The remaining competition schedule is as listed below. All times are local to Tashkent, which is nine hours ahead of the U.S. Eastern time zone.

  • April 20, qualifications for clubs and ribbon, 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:10 p.m., with group’s 3 hoops/4 clubs qualification at 5:10 p.m. and followed by the all-around awards for both individual and group
  • April 21, event finals, 12 p.m. – hoop, ball and 5 balls; and 2 p.m. – clubs, ribbon and 3 hoops/4 clubs

Live results are available here, and additional information is available on the federation’s Facebook page and website.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The organization is committed to creating a culture that encourages and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority, the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its safe sport policies and procedures. Former gymnast and business executive Li Li Leung is the new president and chief executive officer of USA Gymnastics. The organization’s disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and gymnastics for all (formerly known as group gymnastics). For more complete information, visit usagym.org.