Russian Evgeniya Kanaeva produced four mesmerising routines full of grace and charm on Saturday to become the first rhythmic gymnast to win back-to-back individual Olympic all-around golds.
Kanaeva, who owns a mind-boggling 17 world titles, was a class apart from her rivals as she picked up top scores on three of the four apparatus - hoop, ball and clubs - to run away with the title with 116.900 points.
Compatriot Daria Dmitrieva produced a rousing finale featuring ambitious throws and spins with the ribbon but was still eclipsed in the overall standings by 2.400 points. Belarusian Liubou Charkashyna was left shedding tears of joy as she snatched bronze with 111.700.
Kanaeva extended Russia's winning run in the discipline for a fourth successive Olympics following the success of Yulia Barsukova in 2000 and Alina Kabaeva in 2004.
The 22-year-old's imaginative choreography packed with complex manoeuvres won her four standing ovations and cries of "Bravo, Bravo" at Wembley Arena which was awash with Russian flags.
Two days after a runaway hoop caused her grief in qualifying, she was back to her best as she kept the circular object firmly in check during her opening number to Stravinsky's the “Rite of Spring”.
Chants of Russia, Russia echoed around the arena as she leapt around the mat catching the ball on her neck as she arched back into an aerial splits and finished off with a fast-paced Biellmann spin holding the ball aloft. She increased her lead even further with her speedy, acrobatic juggling act and by the time she stepped out with a green, white and purple ribbon, her rivals knew they were battling it out for the minor medals.
{{/usCountry}}Chants of Russia, Russia echoed around the arena as she leapt around the mat catching the ball on her neck as she arched back into an aerial splits and finished off with a fast-paced Biellmann spin holding the ball aloft. She increased her lead even further with her speedy, acrobatic juggling act and by the time she stepped out with a green, white and purple ribbon, her rivals knew they were battling it out for the minor medals.
{{/usCountry}}Feat to remember
“Gymnastics has been part of my life since I was six-years-old. Since that time I have practised every day, eight hours a day so I'm delighted to have won golds at two Olympics,” Kanaeva told reporters while clutching a crumpled Russian flag with one hand and an empty water bottle with the other.
“It was not my target to be a legend but I do like the sound of it. I love gymnastics and I want the audience to remember me.”