China pockets all-round golds at Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in Beijing

Team China pose during the awarding ceremony for the group all-around final at the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup Beijing in Beijing, China, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese rhythmic gymnasts won both the individual and group all-round golds at the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in Beijing on Saturday.

15-year-old rising star Wang Qi staged a stable performance at the National Indoor Stadium and claimed the individual all-round title with 110.80 points, which was the first gold of the event running through Friday to Sunday.

"I'm very excited to have the national anthem played at home. I kept improving myself, but still had shortcomings in dealing with details. I felt delighted to win over Russian athletes. They were really great, and I need to learn a lot from them. I will continue to work hard," said Wang.

Sofiia Ilteriakova of the Russian Federation and Poland's Liliana Lewinska took the all-round silver and bronze, respectively. Another Chinese gymnast, Wang Zilu, was placed fourth after falling short in clubs and ribbon.

The group all-round title was decided by the total score of two events - one is 5 balls, the other is 3 hoops and 2 clubs.

China ranked first in 5 balls on Friday and carried over the momentum to the 3 hoops and 2 clubs on Saturday to seal the win with a total score of 25.15 points. The Russian Federation and Belarus finished second and third, respectively.

The World Challenge Cup will conclude on Sunday with six golds on offer.

Team China compete during the 3 hoops and 2 clubs contest of group all-around final at the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup Beijing in Beijing, China, June 20, 2026. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)

Gold medalists team China, silver medalists team Russia and bronze medalists team Belarus pose for group photos during the awarding ceremony for the group all-around final at the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup Beijing in Beijing, China, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Team Russia compete during the 3 hoops and 2 clubs contest of group all-around final at the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup Beijing in Beijing, China, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

Team China compete during the 3 hoops and 2 clubs contest of group all-around final at the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup Beijing in Beijing, China, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Team Russia compete during the 3 hoops and 2 clubs contest of group all-around final at the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup Beijing in Beijing, China, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Team Belarus compete during the 3 hoops and 2 clubs contest of group all-around final at the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup Beijing in Beijing, China, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)