In Frankfurt on Saturday, the Spanish rhythmic gymnastics team finally ended a 35-year wait. Following their sole world title in 1991 in Athens, the team once again ascended to the top of the podium in the all-around competition, scoring 57.450 points and outperforming Japan and Brazil.
The victory was the result of two flawless performances. In their mixed routine with hoops and clubs set to mambo music, the Spanish gymnasts scored 28.950 points — the highest score of the competition. Subsequently, in their five-ball routine performed to music by Residente, they added 28.500 points, again achieving the top score and incurring no penalties.
This success immediately secured the team a direct qualification spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Spain thus became the first Spanish discipline to secure an Olympic quota for the next cycle, following in the footsteps of the bronze medalist at the 2022 World Championships in Sofia.
The squad, led by Alejandra Quereda and Ana Pelaz, is spearheaded by 22-year-old Olympian Ines Bergua. She is joined by 21-year-old Salma Solaun, 20-year-old Andrea Fernandez, and three gymnasts aged 18-19 — Marina Cortelles, Andrea Corral, and Lucia Muñoz. Over the past two years, they have already won three consecutive gold medals at the European Championships.
The historical context underscores the magnitude of this achievement. After their 1991 gold under Emilia Boneva's guidance, Spain secured five silver medals in the 1990s and four bronze medals between 2015 and 2025. This current victory is not a random surge but the culmination of many years of work with young athletes who have absorbed the lessons from past defeats.
Japan, the reigning champions from 2025, settled for silver (56.700), while Brazil confidently claimed bronze, solidifying its status as a rising power. Meanwhile, traditional favorites — Bulgaria, Ukraine, China, and neutral Russia — failed to medal due to errors and apparatus losses.
The coaching staff successfully structured the performance to minimize risks at critical junctures. Each gymnast understood her role, and the synchronicity and precision of their throws proved to be a decisive advantage over competitors who experienced drops and apparatus changes.
The victory in Frankfurt demonstrates that, in rhythmic gymnastics, a long-term strategy and a focus on young athletes can overturn the long-standing dominance of other nations. Spain has proven that patience and systematic effort yield results, even after decades of waiting.
