The latest stage of the 2026 World Cup in rhythmic gymnastics concluded in Milan, where Ukrainian athlete Taisiia Onofriichuk demonstrated outstanding form. The 18-year-old gymnast won the silver medal in the hoop final and also became the winner of the overall standings for this apparatus at the end of all four stages of the season.
Dramatic Final in Milan
The battle for gold in the hoop exercise unfolded between the Ukrainian and the host of the competition, Italian gymnast Sofia Raffaelli. The judges rated Taisiia's performance at 29.550 points. Notably, she received 8.000 points for execution — the highest score among all finalists, which testifies to her impeccable technique.
However, the decisive victory was won by Raffaelli, who scored 29.650 points. The difference was just 0.1 points. During the performance, the Ukrainian was let down by an organizational error: the music did not start the first time, forcing the athlete to come out on the carpet again to perform the routine. This confusion may have played a role in the final score, but it did not prevent her from taking second place.
Victory in the Overall Standings and Records
Despite the silver in Milan, Taisiia Onofriichuk triumphed in the overall standings for the hoop exercise. Even after missing one of the stages in Tashkent, the Ukrainian scored 20 points more than her Italian rival Sofia Raffaelli.
In the individual all-around, Onofriichuk took the final second place. She was only 10 points away from victory, losing to the German Daria Varfolomeeva. The 18-year-old Ukrainian already has eight medals from World Cup stages to her credit.
Historical Context of the Season
The 2026 season for Onofriichuk is proving to be exceptionally successful. At the first stage of the World Cup, she set a historical record for the tournament. Significant successes were also recorded at the stage in Baku, where she collected a "scatter" of awards. The Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics of Ukraine notes the athlete's stability and high level of mastery, who continues to strengthen the positions of the Ukrainian school of gymnastics on the international arena.