Bangladeshi descent Russian Mamun wins individual all-around gold

Bangladeshi descent Margarita Mamun continued Russia's dominance of rhythmic gymnastics by winning individual all-around Olym pic gold in Rio on Saturday.

The 20-year-old from Moscow took gold ahead of her world champion teammate Yana Kudryavtseva, with Ukraine's Ganna Rizatdinova claiming bronze in the Rio Olympic Arena.

It was the fifth time that Russia have won the title going back to Sydney 2000.

Three-time world champion Kudryavtseva's challenge ended after she dropped her club apparatus at the end of the third rotation of four.

"It was quite unexpected for me to win the gold medal because Yana usually wins," said Mamun, whose father is Bangadeshi and mother Russian.

"I was really surprised about Yana making such a mistake because Yana is always very focused and calm, and never nervous.

"That's why I wasn't thinking about winning the gold medal.

"It just happened that way."

Kudryavtseva, 23, had led for the first two apparatus -- ball and hoop -- and recovered to finish with a flurry with the ribbon.

"Sometimes at the end of my routines, I'm too relaxed and I think I already have an apparatus in my hand when I don't. 

"That is what happened today," said Kudryavtseva.

"At the end of (the clubs) routine, I realised I was not going to win the gold medal. 

"That's why emotionally I was a little bit more relaxed and I was competing for myself, my coach and the spectators.

"I wanted to give them a good performance."

Mamun -- nicknamed The Bengal Tiger -- scored 76.483 points with Kudryavtseva, the 2013, 2014 and 2015 world champion, achieving 75.608.

Rizatdinova scored 73.583 to snatch bronze ahead of South Korea's Son Yeon-Jae.

However Russia's dominance of the all-around group event going back to Syndey 2000 could be under threat as Spain lead Saturday's qualifiers.

The Spanish are the only nation to win the title apart from Russia, taking gold at the 1996 Games, the first time the event was held at the Olympics.

Italy, Japan, Israel, Bulgaria and Ukraine rounded out the eight groups for Sunday's final, with host nation Brazil, Germany, China, Uzbekistan, Greece and the United States failing to make the cut.

Source: BSS