GYMNASTICS: The Australian rhythmic gymnastics team has pulled off an incredible performance over one of the sport’s powerhouse nations, China, by winning gold in the team event on Friday. 

Tara Wilkie, Marlee-Shae Holden, Anastasia Katharios and Michaela Whitehouse dominated the scoreboard with a final score of 145.233, closely followed by China (139.617) with silver and Malaysia (129.917) with bronze.

The Sports Centre at Sydney Olympic Park was buzzing with energy as the crowd watched the future Olympians glide across the floor with ribbon, ball, hoop and clubs.

13-year-old Wilkie was ecstatic about her team’s effort, as well as producing the highest individual score of the day.

“I thought our whole team did really well. We all pushed up and even if we dropped or anything we still made it,” Wilkie said. “I think (next time) we just have to relax and go out there and fun.”

The second Australian team (Maya Bennett, Rhiannon Choe, Rachel Raskopoulos and Tula Vuong) was not so lucky, finishing just off the podium, in fourth place.

Brittany Lane
Olympics.com.au

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