Rhythmic Gymnastics FIG World Cup series 2015: Russians Yana Kudryavtseva, Margarita Mamun sweep the titles

The 2015 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup series ended in a Russian rout. Teammates Margarita Mamun (RUS) and Yana Kudryavtseva (RUS) shared the honors as World Cup competition came to a close this past weekend in Kazan (RUS). Kudryavtseva, the reigning two-time World champion, claimed the series All-around title; Mamun won or tied for every individual event.

World Cup rankings are generated by awarding gymnasts a certain number of points based on results at World Cup events. A gymnast's best four performances are taken into account, and the points added to generate a final points total that determines winners of the World Cup series. The seven-stop World Cup series debuted in Lisbon (POR) at the end of March and included competitions in Bucharest (ROU), Pesaro (ITA), Tashkent (UZB), Budapest (HUN), Sofia (BUL) and finally Kazan (RUS).

Kudryavtseva, already victorious in the All-around at four of this season's World Cup events, was guaranteed to win the World Cup series All-around even before competition began in Kazan. The 17-year-old Muscovite also finished second to Mamun in the World Cup rankings with the Hoop and Ribbon, and third with the Ball. The good friends and training partners tied with the Clubs.

Mamun, 19, solidified her status as the season's top gymnast in World Cup competition with the Hoop, Ball, Clubs and Ribbon after sweeping the gold medals in Kazan.

Kudryavtseva and Mamun, who normally finish 1-2 in international competition, are expected to renew their rivalry at the World Championships in Stuttgart (GER) September 7-13. In spite of a slow start to her season, Kudryavtseva has not shown much tendency to crumble under pressure; she has swept the medals at two World Cups in 2015. Not for nothing is she nicknamed the "angel with iron wings."

Mamun, meanwhile, has also twice swept World Cup competitions this season, albeit both times when Kudryavtseva was not in the field.

The Russian Group won the World Cup Series titles in Group All-around as well as with the 5 Ribbons. In the Three Pairs of Clubs and Two Hoops category, however, the Russians settled for third, behind Italy and Bulgaria.

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FIG Media & Communications Department

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+41 21 321 55 16

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