Regardless of the score, there’s a beauty of giving one’s best, putting one’s maximum effort and performing at one’s best on a peak stage. Whether it’s the athletes who have accomplished this, or those who have supported them or the cheering crowds, they all glow with emotion and beauty. The athletes of this World Championships have shown us the importance of putting everything in one moment.

HIDAKA (JPN)
 

Today’s Hidaka has done just this: giving her best, her everything. She was not perfect, but her fearless, challenging spirit was moving. Knowing her own advantages and distinctive features, she will continue to aim for new levels and further goals, she said.
Her final Individual All-Around position was 15. It was certainly an excellent performance of her!

KANAEVA (RUS)                                             BESSONOVA (UKR)

Kanaeva was the winner of the Individual All-Around competition, in 2nd place was Kondakova, Bessonova in the 3rd. They all staged marvelous shows of profound expressions and superb skills that deeply moved the audiences. Kanaeva set a new record with her total 6 medals, surpassing the 5 gold medals won by Oxana Kostina in the 1992 World Championships. Bessonova showed tears of gratitude for the people of Mie who understood and appreciated the intentions of her performance. The crowds honored her each time with a standing ovation and lasting applause.

(by Kinuyo Takahashi)
 

　　　 　　　　　　　　　　
Press Conference of the medalists                        Winner of the Longines Prize for Elegance

                                                                    – Anna Bessonova

The design of her leotards was also colorful and artistic.

                                               (C) LOC / EINS / T.YAMADA