Son Yeon-jae marks career-high scores in Spain

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae established a personal best in the individual all-around at an International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) competition in Spain on Saturday (local time), but failed to grab a medal.

Son earned a career-high 74.650 points in total from hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon over two days at the season's third FIG World Cup in Guadalajara, Spain. This was 0.450 points higher than her previous best score at the FIG World Cup in Sofia, Bulgaria, last month.

Son was fourth after the hoop (18.550) and ball (18.650) programs Friday. She also posted her career-high score in clubs at 18.750 points before marking 18.700 points in ribbon on Saturday, but failed to score higher than fourth place in the individual all-around.

Margarita Mamun of Russia won the gold medal with 76.450 points, while her compatriot Aleksandra Soldatova took silver with 75.700 points. Ganna Rizatdinova of Ukraine finished third with 75.150 points.

Yana Kudryavtseva of Russia, a three-time world all-around champion, didn't compete at the Guadalajara World Cup.

Son, however, has reached all four apparatus finals, open to the top eight gymnasts in each category. She will perform later Sunday.

Son has taken home at least one medal at four World Cups she competed this season. The 22-year-old won five medals, including a bronze medal in the individual all-around at the Sofia World Cup last month.

Son is trying to become the first South Korean rhythmic gymnast to win an Olympic medal in Rio de Janeiro in August. She ranked fifth in the individual all-around at the 2012 London Olympics.

kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)