PARIS (AP) — China pulled off a stunner in rhythmic gymnastics Saturday, becoming the first non-European country to win Olympic gold in the group event by finishing just ahead of Israel and Italy.
The five-woman Chinese team of Ding Xinyi, Guo Qiqi, Hao Ting, Huang Zhangjiayang and Wang Lanjing posted a total of 69.800 points in the final, which was divided into two routines: one using hoops, the other with the athletes using ribbons and balls. China topped the eight-team final in hoops and ranked third in the other portion of the final to edge Israel by 0.950 points.
Italy earned the bronze, 1.700 points behind China.
The silver is the first in rhythmic gymnastics for Israel, which won the world championship last fall.
Bulgaria, the defending Olympic champion, slipped to fourth.
Russia has dominated the team competition since it made its Olympic debut at Atlanta in 1996, winning five
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