Russia's Evgeniya Kanaeva reigned supreme in the women's individual all-around rhythmic gymnastics at the BJUT Gymnasium Saturday, finishing well ahead of fellow East Europeans Inna Zhukova of Belarus and Ukraine's Anna Bessonova, the dpa reported.
The 18-year-old Kanaeva secured Olympic gold with a total of 75.500 points, followed by Zhukova on 71.925 and world champion Bessonova on 71.875 points.
Kanaeva becomes the third Russian in succession to take Olympic gold in the event, following on from the successes of Yulia Barsukova at Sydney 2000 and Alina Kabaeva four years ago in Athens.
Russians have now taken five of the seven gold medals on offer in the event since rhythmic gymnastics became an Olympic sport at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.