Team · Rotterdam
China edges the United States by 0.233 points to win women's team gymnastics world title
China won the women's team final in Rotterdam on Wednesday, 21 October, with 165.764 points. The United States took silver, Japan bronze, and Italy finished seventh after three falls on beam.
AI text based on reports by ANSA.it, NOS, AP NEWS and other publishers. Published . How it is made
In brief
China scored 165.764 to the United States' 165.531, ending the US run of seven straight world team titles that began in 2011.
Zhang Qingying's 15.066 on beam was the highest score on any event so far, and China totalled 43.366 on the apparatus against 39.199 for the United States.
Russia finished sixth after three of its top gymnasts were denied visas by the Dutch government, and Angelina Melnikova was among the absent athletes.
Italy scored 158.129 after three falls on beam in its second rotation, with Manila Esposito, Elisa Iorio, July Marano, Giulia Perotti and Sofia Tonelli competing in the eight-team final.
A 0.233-point margin ends the streak
China won the women's team final at the world championships in Rotterdam on Wednesday, 21 October, scoring 165.764 points. The United States, which had won seven straight world team titles since 2011, finished second on 165.531. Japan claimed bronze on 164.063, its first world team medal since 1966, and France finished fourth on 161.130. Brazil took fifth on 159.730 and Russia sixth on 159.394, while China's gold is its first world team title since 2006 and its first international team title since the 2008 Olympics.
- China
- 165.764 points
- United States
- 165.531 points
- Japan
- 164.063 points
- France
- 161.13 points
- Brazil
- 159.73 points
- Russia
- 159.394 points
- Italy
- 158.129 points
Data from the article text
The United States had led by nearly two points after two of the four rotations, 85.399 to 83.432. China overtook it in the third rotation and held on in the final rotation, with the Chinese five-woman team finishing ahead by 0.233 points.
Balance beam decided the final
China's beam rotation was the decisive stretch of the final. Zhang Qingying scored 15.066 on the apparatus, the highest score by any athlete on any event so far, according to AP. The three Chinese beam routines brought in 43.366 points, and no other nation topped 43 on that apparatus, while the United States totalled 39.199. Dulcy Caylor fell on her beam dismount, a fall that opened the door for China, and she was competing in place of 2024 Olympic gold medalist Hezly Rivera, who withdrew over the weekend with a lingering ankle injury. China moved more than two points ahead heading into floor exercise, where Caylor, Claire Pease and Reese Esponda performed solidly but could not close the gap.
- China
- 43.366 points
- United States
- 39.199 points
Data from the article text
Russia, Italy and the chasing teams
Russia qualified third but finished sixth without three of its most experienced gymnasts, who were denied visas by the Dutch government, according to The New York Times. AP names 2020 Olympic gold medalist and 2021 world all-around champion Angelina Melnikova among the absent athletes. Russia, which competes under a neutral flag because of the country's invasion of Ukraine, began its final with a fall on uneven bars.
Italy finished seventh on 158.129 points. Coach Enrico Casella's team had entered the eight-team final with the fourth-best qualifying score, but a second-rotation beam routine with three falls cost it a place near the top. Manila Esposito, Elisa Iorio, July Marano, Giulia Perotti and Sofia Tonelli made up the Italian team, and ANSA reports that Italy's gymnasts will still compete in the individual finals.
Individual finals and Olympic places
The three medal-winning teams have qualified directly for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, according to ANSA, SRF and NOS. Individual competition continues this week, with the men's all-around final on Thursday, 22 October, and the women's all-around final on Friday, 23 October. The apparatus finals follow on Saturday, 24 October, and Sunday, 25 October. SRF reports that Swiss gymnasts Noe Seifert and Florian Langenegger return for the men's all-around final.
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Sources and context
- ANSA.itGymnastics World Championships: gold for China, the Italians finish in 7th placeMondiali ginnastica: oro alla Cina, le azzurre chiudono al 7/o posto - Altri Sport · original in Italian
- NOSChina beats US for the first time in sixteen years in world gymnastics team finalChina troeft VS voor het eerst in zestien jaar af in landenfinale WK turnen · original in Dutch
- AP NEWSChina slips by the U.S. to earn gold in the women's team final at the world gymnastics championships
- The New York TimesChina wins women's gymnastics team world title, ending U.S. streak of seven golds
- Zhang Qingying
- Chinese gymnast who scored 15.066 on beam, the highest score on any event so far
- Dulcy Caylor
- US gymnast who fell on her beam dismount while replacing Hezly Rivera in the team final
- Hezly Rivera
- 2024 Olympic gold medalist who withdrew from the competition with an ankle injury
- Angelina Melnikova
- Russian gymnast, 2020 Olympic gold medalist and 2021 world all-around champion, absent from the final after visa denials
- Simone Biles
- US gymnast who did not compete in the team final, having taken a break after the Paris Olympics
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