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Russia dominate once again - London 2012 - Rhythmic Gymnastics

12/08/2012

Russia continued their dominance in Olympic Rhythmic Gymnastics as they claimed gold in both the Individual and Group All-Around competitions.

Evgeniya Kanaeva was in a class of her own as she became the first-ever gymnast to defend her Individual title at a Games, before Russia blew away the opposition with two stunning performances to claim the country's fourth consecutive gold in the Group event.

Kanaeva scored 116.900 to win gold, ahead of fellow Russian Daria Dmitrieva(114.500) in silver-medal position, with Liubou Charkashyna of Belarus (111.700) taking bronze.

The 22-year-old three-time world champion Kanaeva eased into a lead after the first piece of apparatus, the hoop, before a breathtaking performance with the ball, dramatic clubs routine and effortless display with the ribbon earned her a place in the record books.

'Gymnastics has been part of my life since I was six years old,' Kanaeva said.

'Since that time I have practised every day, eight hours a day. To succeed in achieving two gold medals is amazing.

'I love gymnastics and I want the audience to remember me.

'It was not my target to be a legend, but I do like the sound of it.'

Russia's group triumphed in their All-Around competition thanks to two world-class performances with the five balls and the ribbons and hoops.

They scored a total of 57.000 to beat Belarus (55.500) into silver-medal position with Italy (55.450) claiming bronze.

Uliana Donskova, part of the six-strong winning Russian team, admitted the group believed they would win gold in London.

She said: 'It was a long time with hard work. We believed in our victory, but we didn't allow ourselves to relax. We didn't think about the medal.

'We are grateful to everyone. We are very proud to represent Russia and it's an unforgettable experience to hear the national anthem.'

Discover the best photos of London 2012

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    London – 1 August 2012: In the space of less than a month, Bradley Wiggins won the Tour de France, then became Olympic time trial champion in front of a home crowd. Here he poses with his gold medal, holding aloft the British flag, with the pride of winning of his fourth gold medal at three Olympic Games, but his very first on the road.

  • Individual time trial podium

    London – 1 August 2012: Great Britain’s Bradley Wiggins (gold), flanked by Germany’s Tony Martin (silver) and his fellow countryman Chris Froome (bronze) on the podium for the men’s road time trial, in front of Hampton Court Palace in Richmond-Upon-Thames, Greater London. Wiggins won this event to take his fourth Olympic gold medal, but the first on the road... only a few days after completing the Tour de France on the Champs Elysées wearing the yellow jersey.

  • Bradley Wiggins unforgettable win

    London – 1 August 2012: untouchable in the time trial, crowned Olympic champion for the fourth time in his career, but the first time on the road, Great Britain’s Bradley Wiggins triumphant before his home crowd after winning with a 42-second lead over Germany’s Tony Martin at the end of the 44km race. He raised his arms and continued in the clamour to Hampton Court Palace where he was awarded his gold medal.

  • Bradley Wiggins untouchable on the road

    London – 1 August 2012: On the track, Great Britain’s Bradley Wiggins is a three-time Olympic gold medallist in the individual and team pursuit, and six-time world champion. On the road, he had just won the Tour de France. Supported by a host of people, he broadly dominated the individual time trial over the 44km route in the South West of London, finishing in a time of 50:39.54, some 42 seconds ahead of Germany’s Tony Martin to win his fourth title and his seventh medal in three Olympic Games.

  • Wrestling: Ghasem Rezaei was crowned Olympic champion in the 96kg Greco-Roman event

    London - 7 August 2012: Iran’s Ghasem Gholamreza Rezaei (in red) faces Russia’s Rustam Totrov in the final of the Greco-Roman wrestling 96kg category at the ExCeL Arena. Rezaei won 2-0 (2-0, 1-0), taking one of Iran’s three gold medals in wrestling at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

  • Wrestling: Ghasem Rezaei's euphoria at his victory

    London - 7 August 2012: Iran’s Ghasem Gholamreza Rezaei is knocked over by his coach on the mat at the ExCel Arena after his 2-0 (2-0, 1-0) victory in the final of the Greco-Roman wrestling 96kg category against Russia’s Rustam Totrov. Rezaei took one of Iran’s three gold medals in wrestling at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

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