Olympic gymnastics: Exquisite Kanaeva twirls for rhythmic gold

London, Aug 11 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Beijing gold medallist Evgenia Kanaeva of Russia defended her Olympic rhythmic gymnastics title in the individual all-around category here Saturday with four exquisite performances.

Kanaeva, 22, was the only gymnast to score more than 29 points in the ball, hoop and club, falling short of that mark only with the ribbon to retain the Olympic gold she won four years ago on a 116.9 total.

Her fellow Russian Daria Dmitrieva, 19, scintillated with the ribbon to take the silver on 114.5.

Liubou Charkashyna of Azerbaijan took the bronze with 111.575 after impressing particularly with the hoop.

Kanaeva, a multiple World Champion, became the sport's first competitor to retain the Olympic gold, cementing her status as the World's No. 1 rhythmic gymnast.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

ss/abr/vt