Kanaeva wins third World Championship gold

World and Olympic rhythmic gymnastics champion, Evgenia Kanaeva has grabbed yet another gold medal for Russia in the in the individual all-around finals.

The fans who'd packed the Olympiyskiy Arena got what they were really waiting for on Friday as Evgenia Kanaeva showed why she's simply the best, stealing the show in four breathtaking routines.

The 20-year-olds performance was all the more remarkable after disappointment on Thursday when sensationally, she failed to make the final of the ribbon event.

She said she bounced back not by thinking of her opponents, but by concentrating on her own display.

“I don't follow the routines of my rivals as I'm my biggest opponent. I try to perform for the audience, and the judges are spectators too. When you create something with feeling and a positive attitude, everyone likes it. Propably when I'm on a good run I perform for the spectators first of all, and it comes from my heart,” Kanaeva said.

The Olympic champion dominated the field and even her nearest rival, second-placed Daria Kondakova, couldn't come close enough to worry Kanaeva.

“I'm very very happy. I'm glad I didn't let my coach down who always supports and encourages me. I would like to thank my friends and everyone who works with me because without them I wouldn't achieve this medal,” Kanaeva added.

Russia's duo in the all-around category came away with gold and silver, confirming supremacy in rhythmic gymnastics. The woman spearheading the sport in the country feels more than proud at her team's performance.

“Everyone was afraid that Kanaeva could fail in the World Championships, but she didn't. She's very kind and intelligent and I'm happy she's become World Champion because she fully deserves it,” Irina Viner, Russian team’s coach, said.

With her third gold medal at the championships, Kanaeva was crowned individual all-around World Champion for the second consecutive time.