Spain wins world rhythmic gymnastics gold after 35-year drought, secures LA 2028 Olympic spot

Spain returns to the top after 35 years

The Spanish senior rhythmic gymnastics group won gold in the All-Around at the 42nd World Championships in Frankfurt, Germany, on Saturday, 15 August 2026. The team scored 57.450 points across two routines at the Festhalle venue, finishing ahead of Japan (56.700) and Brazil (55.500). The title ends a 35-year wait: Spain had not been world champion in the group event since winning gold in Athens in 1991.

The victory also secures Spain a direct quota for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The top three groups at these World Championships earn Olympic qualification, sparing Spain from the qualifying tournaments.

How the competition unfolded

Spain competed from Group B and opened with the mixed routine of three hoops and two pairs of clubs, performed to a mambo rhythm. The routine earned 28.950 points, built on 7.300 execution, 7.750 artistic skill, and a 13.900 difficulty coefficient. Spain showed strong coordination and precision in high-risk elements.

The five-balls routine followed, scoring 28.500 points on the basis of 7.150 execution, 8.050 artistic, and 13.300 difficulty. The routine was described as clean and secure.

Mixed (3 hoops, 2 clubs pairs)28.95

5 balls28.5

Mixed (3 hoops, 2 clubs pairs)

28.95 points

5 balls

28.5 points

Data from the article text

The accumulated 57.450 placed Spain in the lead, but the result remained uncertain until Japan, competing in Group C, completed its five-balls rotation. A schedule delay extended the wait. Japan received 28.150 in that routine for a 56.700 total, confirming Spain's gold. Brazil took bronze with 55.500. Russia, which faltered in the mixed routine, finished tenth with 51.600 points.

Spain57.45

Japan56.7

Brazil55.5

Russia51.6

Spain

57.45 points

Japan

56.7 points

Brazil

55.5 points

Russia

51.6 points

Data from the article text

The team and its trajectory

The group is led by captain Inés Bergua (22) and Salma Solaun (21), both Olympians from Paris, alongside younger members Andrea Fernández (20), Marina Cortelles (19), Andrea Corral (18), and Lucía Muñoz (18). The squad is coached by Alejandra Quereda, who has guided the team through a cycle blending experience and youth.

Spain had finished third in the All-Around group event at three consecutive World Championships. The team had shown it was within reach of gold both last year and this season. In 2026, Spain earned four podium finishes and two gold medals on the World Cup circuit, and claimed the triple crown of group titles at the European Championships in Varna in May. The squad also won a triple gold at the 2025 Europeans and took two bronzes at the World Championships in Rio last year, in the All-Around and in the five-ribbons final.

Other finals in Zagreb

Separately, at the European artistic gymnastics championships in Zagreb, Alba Petisco placed fifth in the floor final with 13.466 points, unable to defend the medal she won the previous year. Italy's Manila Esposito took gold with 13.700. Aitana Pacheco finished sixth on balance beam with 13.300 points, while France's Elena Colas won gold at 13.933.