Russia's Evgeniya Kanaeva won the rhythmic gymnastics all-around gold medal at the Beijing Olympics on Saturday, the third Olympic individual title for rhythmic powerhouse Russia.

The retirement of Athens all-around gold and silver medallist from Russia, Alina Kavaeva and Irina Tchachina, opened the way for their compatriots Kanaeva and Olga Kapranova, and for 2004 bronze medallist Anna Bessonova of Ukraine.

But Saturday's rhythmic individual all-around final saw a rivalry among the three and and a newcomer, Inna Zhukova from Belarus.

Kanaeva, the 2008 European all-around champion who ranked first in qualifications, defended the title for Russia with the highest score in all her four routines and a combination of 75.500 points.

The 18-year-old sailed to her first Olympic title by mesmerizing fans with dazzling swings, circles, tosses, catches and spirals, among other daredevil tricks.

Zhukova, fourth in qualifications, performed consistently on the four routines of rope, hoop, clubs and ribbon, and finished second with 71.925.

Bessonova, the 2007 world all-around champion, trailed in third place in 71.875.

The top 10 gymnasts out of a total of 24 in the qualifications competed in the final.

(Xinhua News Agency August 23, 2008)