Murray Top Ranked Aussie at Rhythmic World Champs

After four days of thrilling competition and sell-out crowds, the Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships has wrapped up in Montpellier, France.

Western Australian Institute of Sport athlete Janine Murray was the highest ranked Australian after finishing 75th in the All-Around competition. Murray’s strongest routine was the ribbon, where she placed 40th.

Reigning Australian Champion Danielle Prince also competed in the All-Around and finished in 86th position. The girls faced some 123 competitors including the ever-strong European contingent.

Youngsters Taylor Tirahardjo and Jaelle Cohen also represented Australia in two disciplines, with Tirahardjo finishing 93rd in clubs and 96th in ball and Cohen 88th in ribbon and 105th in hoop.

Australia finished 23rd overall in the team event.

But the tournament again belonged to Russian supremo Evgenia Kanaeva who amassed six gold medals at the 2011 Championships. Kaneava won her third All-Around crown by .05, won every apparatus final and heavily contributed to Russia winning gold in the team event.

It was the second time she had swept the medals at a World Championship, also doing so in Japan in 2009.

Video highlights of the group routine event, won by Italy, can be seen above.

AOC