SOFIA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Sofia Raffaeli of Italy won the first two gold medals in the 39th FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships here on Wednesday evening.
In the individual hoop final, Raffaeli gained 34.850 points, Stiliana Nikolova of Bulgaria grabbed the silver medal with 33.400, and Germany's Darja Varfolomeev came third with 32.150 points.
Raffaeli then claimed victory in the individual ball event, gaining 34.900. Her compatriot Milena Baldassarri took the bronze with 32.400, while Varfolomeev placed second with 34.100.
China's two representatives, Zhao Yating and Zhao Yue, didn't enter the finals. In the hoop qualification, Zhao Yating placed 15th with 29.200 and Zhao Yue was 32nd with 27.900. In the ball qualification, Zhao Yue achieved 29.450 points and Zhao Yating 29.400, but that was only good enough for the 15th and 16th place respectively.
Two of the potential favorites on the start list, Daria Atamanov of Israel and Bulgaria's Boryana Kaleyn, didn't participate due to health issues.
Some 300 athletes from 62 countries and regions participate in the five-day event, which is also the first qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. ■
