The Bulgarian Group Shines and Amazes, the Individuals: Not So Much

This spring at the World Cup in Sofia, the Bulgarian group has made everyone rise on their feet and jump with joy and pride.  Both of their routines have been amazing, but especially the clubs and hoop routine.

The Bulgarian group also replaced Eli Bineva with the former individual competitor Erika Zafirova and it handled this challenge gracefully.  As the group won the all around gold and despite some mistakes in the finals, it truly dazzled.

Last year the group began its journey to writing history in the sport of rhythmic gymnastics with a ground-breaking, high-speed 5-hoop routine, which showcased a lot of risk and a musical interpretation from another level.

This year, both the 5-ball routine and the mixed routine have risen to the same level.

I just can't help but wish that the individuals attempted a complex choreography of the same scale and effort. Unfortunately, although Boryana Kaleyn's routines have some original and wonderfully choreographed parts, these routines are not there yet. As for the Vladinova and Taseva routines,  I have felt that they just don't "shine" this season.

While the gymnasts are not in top form yet, I think many fans expected that Taseva and Vladinova will both truly represent the Bulgarian style.  A style and choreography that makes you say: wow, this is different.

Not this season, but perhaps soon, as Kaleyn matures into the exciting gymnast and superb athlete she can become.

An Unforgettable Routine to a Song with a Life Lesson

Alexandra Agiurgiuculese from Italy made history with her bronze medal on ball set to the song "Zaidi Zaidi.'

This is an original, difficult, and provocative routine where everything from the choice of leotard to do risky tosses and the harmony with the music works together into a memorable performance.

For those who wonder, the lyrics of the song discuss the idea of time and youthful experiences and stress how our younger years will not come back:

Set, set, clear sun, go dark.

And you, clear moon, set, drown.

Cry, forest, cry, sister, so we cry together

You cry or your leaves, and I cry for my youth.

Your leaves, sister, will come back,

My youth, forest sister, won’t come back.

Alexandra's work and her evocative performance definitely reinforce the hidden meaning we can read into these lyrics which is: our days on Earth are counted, so make all the risky moves you can make, go into all the jumps and turns,  and throw yourself into life.

For everyone who watched Alexandra's coach, Spela Dragas, who literally jumped with joy after the score came out, I think the lesson about being joyful and enjoying life has come through very clearly.

Maria Petrova Still Has the Upper Hand

I found a funny video from an internal competition in Bulgaria which shows Maria Petrova catching a wondering ribbon from her desk as a judge. Next to her, the other Bulgarian three time-world champion, Maria Gigova (in the middle), is trying to not to get hit with the falling ribbon. Silvia Miteva is laughing next to her.

The video is available here: https://www.sportal.bg/my_video.php?video=109538.