Russian city of Kazan hosts the 2014 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup Series September 5–7. Approximately 130 female athletes from 27 countries take part in the prestigious competition.
Rhythmic gymnastics, a spectacular women-only sport that incorporates elements of ballet, grew out of a host of various disciplines, with Russia greatly contributing to its development and recognition globally.
Above: Maria Titova (Russia) performs ball routine during the individual all-around event at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup stage in Kazan.
Above: Maria Titova (Russia) performs ball routine during the individual all-around event at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup stage in Kazan.
The Russian city of Kazan hosts the 2014 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup Series from September 5–7. Approximately 130 athletes from 27 countries take part in the prestigious competition.
Above: Giulia di Luca of Italy performs a ribbon exercise at the individual all-around event.
Above: Giulia di Luca of Italy performs a ribbon exercise at the individual all-around event.
Traditionally, two athletes per country compete for individual medals at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup events. Overall, this year three Russian athletes took part in the competition - Margarita Mamun, Yana Kudryavtseva and Maria Titova.
Above: Russia’s Maria Titova performs a ribbon exercise at the individual all-around event.
Above: Russia’s Maria Titova performs a ribbon exercise at the individual all-around event.
Melitina Stanyuta of Belarus performs a ball routine during the individual all-around event at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup stage in Kazan.
Yana Kudryavtseva of Russia is the 2014 World Cup Final All-around champion. The 16-year-old is the youngest rhythmic gymnast to hold that title. During the 2014 season she won all gold medals in the world cup events in Minsk, Belarus, and Sofia, Bulgaria.
Russia's Alexandra Soldatova performs a ribbon exercise at the individual all-around event at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup final in Kazan.
Son Yeon-jae (South Korea) performs a hoop routine during the individual all-around event at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup stage in Kazan.
Winners of the individual all-around at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup final in Kazan during the awarding ceremony. From left: Margarita Mamun (Russia), silver medal; Yana Kudryavtseva (Russia), gold medal; Melitina Staniouta of Belarus, bronze medal.
