Russia dominated the opening day of the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships ©FIG

Russia were the dominant nation on the opening day of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships, topping the qualification standings in three of the five disciplines at the Putian Complex Sports Gymnasium in China.

Daria Guryeva and Daria Kalinina were the standout performers in the women’s pairs competition as they recorded a score of 57.335 points to finish ahead of Belorussian duo Marharyta Bartashevich and Viktoryia Mikhnovich, who were awarded 55.730.

Belgians Laurie Philpott and Natasch van Es occupy third place with a total of 54.750 points ahead of tomorrow’s final.

Marina Chernova, the world champion in 2014, and Gerogy Pataraya lead the way in the mixed pairs event after their efforts were rewarded with a decent score of 29.615 points.

Americans Axel Osborne and Tiffani Williams, perhaps the surprise package of the competition so far, are some way adrift in second with 28.170, while the strong performance from Belarus continued as Artur Beliakou and Volha Melnik were third on 27.785.

Valeriia Belkina, Yulia Nikitina and Zhanna Parkhomets maintained the Russian success, finishing at the top of the qualification rankings in the women’s group discipline.

The trio were keen to lay down a marker to the rest of the field and amassed a total of 28.420 points to secure top spot in front of the British team, comprised of Jennifer Bailey, Katrina Fearon and Roxanna Parker, who scored 27.625.

Katsiaryna Barysevich, Veranika Nabokina and Karina Sandovich of Belarus qualified in third with another impressive display which yielded 27.520 from the judges.

Arne van Gelder and Vincent Casse of Belgium are the ones to beat in the men’s pairs
Arne van Gelder and Vincent Casse of Belgium are the ones to beat in the men’s pairs ©FIG

Two-time world champions Li Zheng, Rui Liuming, Zhang Teng and Zhou Jiahuai of China justified their status as favourites in the men’s group as they topped the standings on 28.850 points to the delight of the home crowd.

British quartet Adam Upcott, Charlie Tate, Lewis Watts and Connor Sawenko were second with a score of 28.110 points but, in truth, were no match for the supreme Chinese.

Israel’s team, made up of Lidar Dana, Yannay Kalfa, Efi Efraim Sach and Daniel Uralevitch, clinched third on 28.000 points.

Arne van Gelder and Vincent Casse of Belgium are the ones to beat in the men’s pairs as their score of 55.970 points saw them edge ahead of Russian duo Igor Mishev and Nikolay Suprunov, who finished with 55.940.

North Korean pair Kim Un Hak and Ri Chol Jun are third after they received 55.250 points.

The men’s and women’s pairs finals are due to be held tomorrow.