The Chicago Cup
A Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament

For the first time, Chicago is hosting the Chicago Cup, a major rhythmic gymnastics tournament.  The tournament takes place Thursday the 18th through Sunday the 21st at the Broadway Armory.  A Junior Olympic rhythmic gymnastics competition will then be held on Monday and Tuesday the 22nd and 23rd at Trinity International College.   While rhythmic gymnastics is not one of the more popular Olympic sports, it is incredibly beautiful to watch, requiring an unparallel level of perfection and precision.
 

The Chicago Cup is split into Junior and Senior competitions, with the Junior competitors 14 and under and the Seniors 15 and up.  There are five apparatuses in rhythmic gymnastics, the ball, rope, ribbon, hoop, and clubs, but each year these athletes will only individually compete in 4 with the last one being reserved for the team competition.  This year the seniors saved the clubs for the team competition and thus did not compete in them today.

There were also two different levels competing today, 9 and 10.  10 is the highest level you can reach and in that category were multiple National Team members.  In order to advance in levels you must score a certain total on your overall performance at a major competition and you must remain in each level at least one year.

Watching most of these girls perform I can only identify maybe one mistake, but learning more about the sport I am learning where the deductions really come.   For example, if the hoop does not rotate in a specific way and stay in a certain plain with each different throw, that is grounds for a deduction.  Knowing all these little things make the sport much more interesting to watch and helps you truly see who is good and who is great.

The leotards these athletes wear are not those you see on artistic gymnasts.  They are gorgeous pieces of art.  One athlete outfit was even styled to look like a jean skirt and tied plaid top.  Even though this outfit too was covered in sparkles, it was extremely imaginative.  The athletes change into a new leotard for each apparatus as well, and always make sure that the leotard matches their equipment in color and theme.  These leotards don’t come cheap either, with their prices starting around 850 dollars and many ranging in the thousands.

While this was only day one of a 4 day competition it already looks like there will be some great competition ahead with the international competition starting tomorrow and including countries such as Mexico and Canada.

This sport may fly under the radar, but to those who come, watch, and compete, it truly sparkles.

Results
Seniors Level 10

Rope
1. 22.050 - Sarah Kudishevish
2. 20.825 – Rebecca Wallenstein
3. 20.450 – Nicole Chillingworth

Hoop
1. 22.225 – Nicole Chillingworth
2. 21.250 – Sarah Kudishevich
3. 21.000 – Rebecca Scarnechia

Ball
1. 22.475 – Rebecca Wallenstein
2. 21.925 – Anastasia Torba
3. 20.975 – Joanna Arnold

Ribbon
1. 21.275 – Sarah Kudishevich
2. 20.725 – Rebecca Wallenstein
3. 20.675 – Nicole Chillingworth

All Around
1. 85.075 – Sarah Kudishevich
2. 85.025 – Rebecca Wallenstein
3. 81.475 – Joanna Arnold
4. 80.750 – Nicole Chillingworth
5. 80.325 – Anastasia Torba
6. 79.900 – Katherine Scarnechia
7. 78.625 – Gabriella Magid
8. 78.050 – Rachel Girma
9. 74.550 – Amanda Heinamann
10. 72.525 – Emily Barnett