Embarrassing blunder at award ceremony: Wrong "Germany" anthem only briefly mars Varfolomeev's World Cup show

In rhythmic gymnastics, Darya Varfolomeev continues to be in a class of her own. The 18-year-old dominates the all-around final at the World Championships – and then suddenly looks perplexed at the awards ceremony. The organizers play the wrong national anthem.

Gymnastics star Darja Varfolomeev, in her first of five possible world championship titles, only lost her rhythm during the awards ceremony. During the flag-raising ceremony, Georgia's national anthem was played instead of Germany's. "Unfortunately, sometimes the wrong anthem is played. But I definitely thought that wouldn't happen at the World Championships," said the former and new all-around world champion about the embarrassing anthem mishap.

On the podium, the Olympic champion was just as confused as the other members of the German delegation. "I thought: What should I do now? Should I just sing my anthem?" the 18-year-old said. She thought the real anthem would be played later. But that didn't happen. "But it's okay. We'll just look forward. It can't be changed anyway," said Varfolomeev. On Sunday, she has four more chances at World Championship gold in the individual finals for the ball, clubs, ribbon, and hoop.

Germany's Sportswoman of the Year had previously completed the all-around gold medal, following her 2023 World Championship title and last year's Olympic victory. The 18-year-old from Schmiden clearly outperformed the competition in Rio de Janeiro with a score of 121.900 points.

Second place went to Stiliana Nikolova of Bulgaria on her 20th birthday with 119.300 points. Third place went to Sofia Raffaeli of Italy (117.950), just as she did at the Paris Olympics. World Championship debutant Anastasia Simakova of Schmiden improved on all apparatus compared to the preliminary round, finishing a strong sixth with 114.300 points.

Will Varfolomeev achieve another five-time triumph?

"It went quite well, there were four clean apparatuses. At the end of the hoop exercise, there was a great sense of relief because everything was done," said Varfolomeev, emphasizing once again that "the all-around is the most important thing."

Varfolomeev's opening performance with the ball was unusually angular for her standards. Her 29.850 points were half a point lower than in the qualification. With a brilliant 31.950 points with the clubs, she jumped from fourth to first place at the halfway point and never relinquished her lead. With 30.000 points for the ribbon performance and 30.100 points for the hoop performance, the Olympic champion kept her competitors at bay and was able to receive congratulations even before the competition ended.

With her victory in the all-around, Varfolomeev paved the way for another five-a-side triumph. Two years ago in Valencia, she won all five titles. Before Varfolomeev, the last person to achieve this feat was Russian Yevgenia Kanaeva, in 2009 and 2011.

World Championship debutant Simakova, who had relegated Olympic fourth-place finisher Margarita Kolosov to the reserve position, showed nerves of steel. The 20-year-old's sixth-place finish was a well-deserved reward for a commanding performance. "I did well today. I'm very pleased to have been able to participate in this major competition," said Simakova. On Sunday, the Russian-born athlete will compete in the individual hoop and ribbon finals.