2019 Minsk World Challenge Cup - Rhythmic

Averina Twins & Linoy Ashram Dominate Minsk Rhythmic World Challenge Cup

Averina Twins & Linoy Ashram Dominate Minsk Rhythmic World Challenge Cup

Russia's Arina and Dina Averina and Israel's Linoy Ashram dominated the individual competition at the 2019 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Minsk.

Aug 19, 2019 by Amanda Wijangco
Averina Twins & Linoy Ashram Dominate Minsk Rhythmic World Challenge Cup

Only four gymnasts stepped atop the individual podiums at the 2019 FIG Rhythmic World Challenge Cup: Arina Averina of Russia, Dina Averina of Russia, Linoy Ashram of Israel, and Milena Baldassarri of Italy. On the group side, Bulgaria found itself on the podium for all three group competitions.

Dina showed the dominance and versatility she's known for by winning the titles for ribbon, clubs, and ball with scores of 22.150, 23.500, and 23.600, respectively. Ashram was finally able to come out on top for hoop with a 23.500 over Dina, who earned bronze. 


Ashram also won silver for clubs (23.400) and bronze for ball (22.900). Arina accompanied her sister on all four podiums, earning silver for ribbon, ball, and hoop and bronze for clubs. Baldassarri was the only other individual to medal, as she placed third in ribbon.

The group competition was more diverse in medalists and saw five countries make the podium. Bulgaria's 28.600 topped the 3 hoops 4 clubs podium ahead of silver-medalist Belarus and bronze-medalist Ukraine. For 5 balls, Italy's 29.800 was golden, while Russia and Bulgaria tied with a 29.450. Thanks to Russia's higher execution, though, Russia was awarded the silver while Bulgaria took the bronze.


No tiebreak was needed in the group all-around as Russia hit both routines to win the group all-around title with a score of 59.050. Bulgaria proved its group is one to watch and got silver in the group all-around title with a 57.650. Home country Belarus was close behind with a 57.450 for the group all-around bronze.

Usually a medal contender in every competition, the Russian group hit two great routines on day one to qualify for the group finals and win the group all-around but had uncharacteristic mistakes and low execution during its 3 hoops and 4 clubs routine, putting them in eighth in the final.

Full results can be found on the Belarusian Gymnastics Federation's official website.