Italian
At the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, Sofia Raffaeli wins bronze in the hoop. Fourth place for Tara Dragas in the ball event.
VARNA (BULGARIA) – In the end, the medal arrived. The new course of Italian Rhythmic Gymnastics comes from the European Championships in Varna with two bronze medals in the hoop. The first was won by Flavia Cassano in the junior category, the second was earned by the “usual” Sofia Raffaeli on the very last day of competitions dedicated to the finals, present with her teammate Tara Dragas in all four finals.
The joy comes immediately at the first competition with the Marche champion who scores 29.500 points (D. 13.5, E. 8.0, A. 8.050, Pen. 0.05), finishing just four tenths from the top. The gold goes to the Russian Sofiia Ilteriakova with 29.900, while the Belarusian Alina Harnasko takes the silver, just one tenth behind, with 29.800. Fourth is the German Darja Varfolomeev with 29.300.
An excellent start considering the new program and path with Amina Zaripova. For the Italian, this marks her second European bronze in her career, following the one won in clubs in Tallinn last year, and her twelfth personal podium (5 golds, 5 silvers, and 2 bronzes).
A bit of regret instead for Tara Dragas. The athlete from Friuli had qualified second, but in the final, she made a mistake on a risk, tarnishing what had been an almost perfect performance up to that point. The final score of 28.250 (D. 12.7, E. 7.65, A. 7.95, Pen. 0.05) dropped her to fourth place, just shy of the bronze and the joy of what would have been her first senior individual European medal.
Less fortunate were the other two challenges faced by Raffaeli. In the clubs, some inaccuracies affected the final result, with the Olympic policewoman finishing in seventh place with 26.800 points (D. 11.9, E. 7.3, A. 7.65, Pen. 0.05). In the subsequent ribbon routine, the final act of the individual continental competition, two serious mistakes placed her in eighth and last position, an unusual tailender with 26.650 points (D. 11.1, E. 7.6, A. 8.0).
Photo Credits: Federginnastica.it
