Gymnastics: Italian Esposito Wins Euro Gold in All-Around

Leipzig: Italy’s Manila Esposito on Thursday retained the absolute continental title in women’s artistic gymnastics won last year in Rimini, also winning the all-around gold at the European Championships in Leipzig with a total of 54,965 points, ahead of Spain’s Alba Patisco, second with 53,265, and Romania’s Ana Barbosu, bronze with 52,299.

According to Ansa News Agency, it has never happened before that an Italian has won the European 24-strong final twice, and consecutively. Before the Fiamme Oro police officer, Vanessa Ferrari had won in Amsterdam 2007 and Asia D’Amato in Monaco 2022.

For the gymnastics federation and Esposito herself, it is the second gold in Leipzig, after the team gold for the ‘Fate’ artistic gymnastics team (en plein as in Rimini) and the fourth medal in four days.

The other Italian, Sofia Tonelli, finished in ninth place with a personal best of 51.232 at her senior debut.