In sync: Bulgaria’s (from left) Simona Dyankova, Stefani Kiryakova, Madlen Radukanova, Laura Traets and Erika Zafirova in action during the rhythmic gymnastics group all-around final. — AP
TOKYO: The Russian rhythmic gymnastics juggernaut collapsed, with dramatic back-to-back losses that sparked furious allegations of injustice in a sport famous for twinkling costumes, techno remixes and hoops looping through the air.
Russia had won every gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics since 2000. But their total defeat this year began on Saturday, when Linoy Ashram of Israel won gold in the individual competition, edging out of a pair of Russian identical twins who were the favorites heading into Tokyo.
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