© Azerbaijan Gymnastics

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 28, 2019 – Laura Zeng of Libertyville, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Center, won the hoop bronze medal at the World Cup at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku Azerbaijan. The World Cup is part of the International Gymnastics Federation’s rhythmic gymnastics World Cup Series. U.S. fans can watch the event finals tape-delayed on the Olympic Channel at 8 p.m. ET, which has a simulcast.

Zeng earned a 20.350 in the hoop final, which clinched the bronze medal. Russia’s Dina Averina won the title at 22.000, followed by Israel’s Linoy Ashram with a 21.850. The other event champions were: ball, Ashram, 21.750; clubs, Averina, 22.500; and ribbon, Anastasiia Salos of Belarus, 20.650.

In the all-around, Zeng finished 19th (71.350) and Camilla Feeley of Deerfield, Ill/North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, was 25th (67.950). Russia’s Averina twins took the top two spots: Dina won at 85.600, with Arina in second at 79.850. The Ukraine’s Vlada Nikolchenko was third with her 78.900. In the clubs qualifier, Zeng was 13th, posting an 18.550. Feeley was 38th at 15.850. For ribbon, Feeley was 26th (16.150) and Zeng came in 45th (14.550).

The U.S. group placed 12th for 5 balls at 20.950 and 13th in 3 hoops/4 clubs, finishing with 39.800. The members of the U.S. group, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, are Isabelle Connor of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; Connie Du of Deerfield, Ill.; Yelyzaveta Merenzon of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; Elizaveta Pletneva of Deerfield, Ill.; Nicole Sladkov of Vernon Hills, Ill.; and Kristina Sobolevskaya of Chicago. Japan won the group all-around at 49.250, with Russia taking the 5 balls gold and Bulgaria winning the 3 hoops/4 clubs title.

Gymnasts earn World Cup points based on their ranking, which count toward the World Cup Series title.

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.