29th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships 2009 in Mie (JPN)

Day 7: 13th September, 2009

2009-09-15T04:42:17Z

Final Groups (Hoops).pdf

Final Groups (Ribbons + Ropes).pdf

The Beauty of Giving One's Best at One Precise Moment! (11th September, 2009)

2009-09-12T10:22:43Z

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.

Day 6: 12th September, 2009

2009-09-12T07:18:01Z

Results_Group I.pdf

ResultsApparatus_Group I_5 Hoops.pdf

ResultsApparatus_Group I_3 Ribbons + 2 Hoops.pdf

Enjoying the Professional Performances of Rhythmic Gymnastics (10th September, 2009)

2009-09-11T16:48:58Z

BESSONOVA (UKR)

There are many events in Olympic sports, and those that aim for record times such as track and field competitions or swimming are easy to understand. However, figure skating, synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics that are rated by judges are more difficult to comprehend by common spectators.

What is the artistry ofrhythmic gymnastics?

One of the characteristics (features) is that it is performed with music, so the harmony of bodily movements and music, i.e. movements, expressions and rhythm matched to the music style are evaluated and appreciated. At the same time, the skill and variety in maneuvering the respective apparatuses are also of great importance. The choreography is rated by the judges of the artistic panel. The colorful and beautiful leotards that captivate us just as the performance itself, have no incidence in the official evaluation but are equally a point of attraction.

KAPRANOVA (RUS) ANAKUBO (JPN)

The race for the team title is over. After four days of fierce competition, the result was:

1. Russia, 2. Belarus, 3. Azerbaijan.

The Japanese team made an ultimate effort during their last exercise and came in 9^th. Anakubo made her first appearance in a World Championships with the ball, overcoming her nervousness and presenting her routine with composure. Onuki’s presentations had speed, no major mistakes and sufficient technical difficulties, altogether a satisfactory performance in all four disciplines in my opinion. Hidaka displayed her pivots and techniques in apparatuses to dynamic music. Her solid performance earned her a place in the individual all-around finals.

Individuals Final

Russia’s Kanaeva won the titles in ball and ribbon with solid performances in both routines, thus becoming the quadruple queen of these championships.

KANAEVA (RUS)

Ukraine’s Bessonova enchanted the audience with a crisp performance and skillful handling of the ball, and in ribbon performed a perfect drama that prompted huge applause and a standing ovation from the audience.

No doubt that the athletes were tired after four days of competing in different routines, but they are all wonderful professionals able to control their body and mind to perform perfectly under whatever stressful conditions.

(by Kinuyo Takahashi)

Discovering the Cute Angels of Rhythmic Gymnastics! (9th September, 2009)

2009-09-11T16:31:02Z

Today, I have picked out pictures of some cute athletes among the delegations from the world.

For athletes of rhythmic gymnastics, elegance and beauty is a must in every performance. A vivid expression while dancing to the music, a natural smile during the performance, a cute moment, all these are attractive. Why not find your own cute angel!

PETRAKOVA (KAZ) PARADOWSKA (POL)

The ribbon, considered the symbol of rhythmic gymnastics, is 6 meters long and handling it correctly during a routine is very difficult. Athletes try to keep moving the ribbon mainly with rotating movements called pivots. The combined movements of the body and ribbon are fascinating.

KAPRANOVA (RUS) SILEIKYTE (LTU)

Russia’s march towards triumph continued. Although Kondakova let slip her apparatus, Kapranova contributed to her country with a passionate performance in a dark red leotard.

Beijing Olympic Queen Kanaeva entered in a gorgeous pink suit and presented a beautiful routine with new pivots (rotating technique) as well as high-level technical elements and unique handling of apparatus. Russia remains at the top of the team competition.

Runner-up Belarus was successful in keeping the 2^nd position today with the unique Liubou and Melitina’s amazing skills and astonishing ending with the invisible catch of the apparatus. Ukraine follows in 3^rd place.

The Japanese girls participated in ribbon. Inoue had to interrupt her routine because of a knot in her ribbon which also got tangled up at her feet. Onuki performed calmly, successfully presenting her fouette pivot. Hidaka’s dynamic performance and solid pivots, well transported by the music, got her 24.500 points and put the Japanese team in 10^th position.

In today’s performance, mistakes in ribbon were prominent. There were many athletes who could not draw circles correctly, also quite a few interruptions due to knots.

Tomorrow will define the positions of each country and also the participants for the individual all-around competition. I hope that all participants will give their best in their last routine.

(by Kinuyo Takahashi)

Fascinating Russia - Brave Japan （8th September, 2009）

2009-09-11T16:07:14Z

HIDAKA Mai (JPN) ONUKI Yuria (JPN)

A fearless Japanese team presented itself today and delighted us with a wonderful performance.

All three members participated in rope, and Inoue did well controlling her nervousness.

Onuki performed with the calmness of a veteran, her routine matched to the music all the way and earning 24.600 points. Hidaka gave an ambitious performance as usual, showing her skills with the apparatus combined to the rhythm of her music and earning 25.100 points. We look forward to their next performances.

INOUE Mimi (JPN)

Top runner Russia’s Kapranova showed skillful handling of the rope together with flexible jumps that gave her 28.200 points. Kondakova missed to catch her apparatus at the end but earned 28.350 points. Kanaeva appeared at last, with movements exquisitely matched to the music as well as high-level pivot combinations which produced a score of 28.900 points that caused a huge applause from the audience.

Runner-up Belarus presented Svetlana with a flawless performance, contributing to her mates Melitina and Liubou. Belarus is maintaining the 2nd position.

The 3rd place is now occupied by Azerbaijan. Ukraine, who was in the 3rd position after the first day, gave solid performances with Rizatdinova and Maksimenko, but their last performer Bessonova missed to catch the hoop with her back which she had kicked with her foot, the hoop rolled out of the mat and pushed Ukraine to position 5.

Competition III Individual Final

The Individual Finals with the 8 best athletes of each event took place today.
These top athletes are all talented performers displaying their skills with the respective apparatus. Spectators gave them generous applause for their beautiful performances.

Medalists for Rope Medalists for Hope

(by Kinuyo Takahashi)

Day 5: 11th September, 2009

2009-09-11T12:44:34Z

Results_Indiv_Concours II.pdf

Day 4: 10th September, 2009

2009-09-10T08:27:27Z

ResultsIndividual_Concours I.pdf

ResultsTeam_Concours I.pdf

ResultsApparatus_Concours III_Ball.pdf

ResultsApparatus_Concours III_Ribbon.pdf

Day 3: 9th September, 2009

2009-09-09T12:09:41Z

Qualifications Day 3 (PDF; 144KB)

Team Competition Day 3 (PDF; 125KB)

Bus Service for Sun Arena

2009-09-09T11:59:31Z

The bus schedule between Isuzugawa Station and Sun Arena

Bus Timetable for Sun Arena

Bus Timetable for Isuzugawa Station

You can find RG WC signs around Isuzugawa Station.

Bus Stop at Isuzugawa Station

Get on RG Train and Bus to go to the Championships!

2009-09-09T06:35:07Z

You can go to Sun Arena, the main competition hall of the World RG Championships, by RG Train and Bus*.

The RG Train runs between Kintetsu Nagoya and Toba, making three round-trips a day.

Enjoy travelling to Mie with your favourite gymnasts!

The RG Bus runs between Kintetsu Isuzugawa station and the Sun Arena.
There are two types of RG Bus which you can ride on.

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Note: Special ad-wrapped train and bus for the RG World Championships 2009.

29th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships 2009 opened with fairies from around the world!

2009-09-07T14:56:17Z

【Evgenia KANAEVA (RUS)】

　　(C) LOC / EINS / Ｔ. ＹＡＭＡＤＡ

On 7th September, 2009, the 29th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships 2009 opened at MIE prefectural Sun Arena where 148 fairy gymnasts from 51 countries and regions gathered.

The event started with Competition I – qualifying event and team competition. Three to four gymnasts per team made 12 performances at the team competition for Rope and Hoop. The 10 best scores of 12 exercises will be counted for the Team ranking.

For Hoop, the first competitor of Japanese Team Mimi Inoue did quite good performance despite she had not been stable enough with the catch.
Yuria Onuki, who wanted to show her individuality in the big stage, performed next. She was strongly applauded for her dynamic, sharp performance that fit the music.　

The Japanese champion Mai Hidaka succeeded in technically hard high throw, showing wonderful apparatus handling, but unfortunately dropped the apparatus in her last performance of four forward roll, finishing with lost of apparatus. We wish her good luck with the remaining performances tomorrow.

Today’s top team was Russia with Evgenia Kanaeva marking the highest score 28.775, Daria Kondakova the runner-up and Olga Kapranova showing stable performance without a mistake.

Belarus came the second by challenging higher difficulty; Melitina Staniouta and Liubou Charkashyna showed accurate difficulty and consistent apparatus handling, knocking off Ukraine that ranked third.

　 (C) LOC / EINS / Ｔ. ＹＡＭＡＤＡ

The final ranking will be decided when all the four exercises are completed. When all qualifying events finished tomorrow, the eight best-scored gymnasts will qualify for the Individual Apparatus Finals. The final for Rope and Hoop (Competition III) he will be held on 8th September.

(Posted by Kinuyo Takahashi)

Beyond the Beijing - Press Conference: Anna Bessonova -

2009-09-07T13:02:30Z

　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　(C) LOC / EINS / Y. KATO

Anna Bessonova is one of the most popular athletes and most likely one to claim the gold medal.
In 2003 and 2005 she missed to make the top, but became the all-around champion in the 2007 World Championships in Patras. Here’s her interview:

Anna Bessonova:

“I think I have changed a lot after the Beijing Olympics. I was tired and even thought of retiring, but afterwards, I recovered and started to train again to present myself to the Japanese people. I’m looking forward to show my new programme and hope that the audience will appreciate my new style. I also hope that the judges will understand what I’m aiming for.”

Head of Delegation Irina Deriugina:

“Anna has changed mentally as well as her attitude towards rhythmic gymnastics. She has grown as a person. I’m sure that she will fully exploit her potential and capture the heart of everybody with her performance.”

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　(posted by Kinuyo Takahashi）

Joy of Performance - Press Conference: Evgenia Kanaeva -

2009-09-06T10:18:16Z

Russia, the power nation of rhythmic gymnastics who has been capturing gold medals in the Olympics. How many will they get in Mie?

Kanaeva:

“I am very happy that these championships are held in Japan and that I can perform in Japan. Since Beijing Olympics, I have been practicing very hard with my coach.
We have given a different image to each of the routines. The ball to Spanish music, and the hoop to Italian, from soft, quiet and elegant turning gradually into a passionate interpretation. While keeping my expressions and emotions, I am challenging new techniques in pivots, so I hope to give a performance that will allow the audience to perceive new dimensions.”

Kanaeva, the gold medalist of Beijing Olympics, known for precise technique and beautiful forms, based on thorough training. Each discipline will probably show different expressions and movements, perfectly adapted to each music. We can surely look forward to have an attractive performance of her in this Mie Championships.

(posted by Kinuyo Takahashi)

Accommodation

2009-08-03T02:56:25Z

If you are looking for a hotel near Sun Arena, the competition hall for the 29th Rhythmic Gymnastics World championships in Mie, please refer to the sites in English below for the accommodation information.

http://www.toba.or.jp/english/links.html
http://www.ise-kanko.jp/english/html/stay/stay.html
http://www.iseshima-kanko.jp/english/faci/hotel.html
http://welcome.kankomie.or.jp/english/search/spot.php?category=3

Please note that Sun Arena is located in the area called Ise - Shima, which consists of three cities; Ise, Toba, and Shima in Mie.

It takes about 20 minutes by car from city centre of Ise or Toba to Sun Arena.

You can get the map from the address below around Sun Arena.

http://www.ise-kanko.jp/english/html/map/map.html