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Ribbon, the most famous apparatus of Rhythmic Gymnastics

Updated: Feb 12


Welcome to my RG 101 series! Today I will be sharing the most famous apparatus of rhythmic gymnastics, which is the ribbon. Read my introduction to RG 101 if you missed it!


As a recap, rhythmic gymnasts are expected to express and interpret their rhythm through gymnastics skills AND the manipulation of apparatus(es). It is also crucial for the apparatus to be always in motion throughout the routine.



What is a ribbon?


This apparatus is a piece of ribbon attached to a stick yielded by the gymnast. Just imagine a Harry Potter wand with a ribbon at one end :P


The ribbon is 6 and 5 metres long for seniors and juniors respectively. Usually made of satin, the ribbon can be either patterned and multi-coloured or the traditional plain and solid-coloured design. The patterned ribbon can create illusions of constant movement at high speed:



The plain ribbon, on the other hand, emanates a very smooth, continuous flow:




Any ribbon elements?


The rudimentary ribbon elements involve flicks, circles (big and small), snakes and spiral motion. These motions are rather self-explanatory; look at the GIFs above and you can easily tell which one is which.


There is one particular movement I like revolving around the "circles" element (pun intended):



I love how the ribbon's circular movement is complemented so well by the gymnast's circular movement too, known as the illusion. In this case, the gymnast is executing the back illusion, whereby her torso rotates backwards (a normal illusion is where the torso rotates forward).


Another textbook element is to throw and catch the ribbon. Flinging the ribbon using body parts other than the hand is more difficult, thereafter worth more points. The most common uncommon throw is through the foot.


Being the longest apparatus, the ribbon is the only apparatus that can execute the boomerang trick: throwing the ribbon but not fully releasing it so that gymnasts can retrieve it.


Below is an example of throwing the ribbon via foot and retracting it back while one hand is still on the ribbon:




What makes the ribbon unique?


As mentioned beforehand, gymnasts' apparatus(es) should always be in motion and the best method to demonstrate the ribbon's fluidity is through pirouette.


Pirouette is the act of pivoting on one foot. It is one of the core body difficulties (BD), which will be discussed in detail in my future posts.


The continuous flow of the ribbon is the apparatus' distinctive feature.

Depending on the music and gymnast's skills, ribbon routines can emanate the sport's primary essence of femininity in rhythmic gymnastics.



The ribbon is the definition of feminity and elegance in rhythmic gymnastics.


It's difficult to find similar elegance and grace in other sports. Look how gently the ribbon swifts through the air:



Do you notice how easily you can see the ribbon can be seen, even in a low-resolution GIF.


Likewise, it is the most obvious apparatus for all spectators in a large stadium. This may explain why the ribbon is the most famous Rhythmic Gymnastics apparatus that the sport itself is nicknamed:



"Dancing with the ribbon"



Best ribbon routine in Rhythmic Gymnastics?


Hmm... isn't that a relative question? Haha!


Anyhoo, this is a difficult question with infinite answers. Given the apparatus' high popularity, my first few rhythmic gymnastics videos are all ribbon exercises.


Many ribbon routines caught my eye, but I was bedazzled by only two routines, both performed by the Russian gymnast, Evgeniya Kanaeva.


If you follow this sport, then you'll know which ribbon exercises I'm referring to. For those who don't, let me introduce the masterpiece of all times:



Evgenia Kanaeva's sensational ribbon routine to "Moscow Nights" in 2008



As well as...


Evgenia Kanaeva's artistic ribbon interpretation of "Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu" in 2012



"Whoa, hang on, these are so old! Any newer ones?"


Well, the 2017-2021 CoP is not kind to artistry so it has tainted the ribbon's feminity and elegance. Most ribbon routines nowadays are messy and no longer appealing to me.


Don't get me wrong: there are definitely good routines but they do not catch my eye as much as the ones above.


There are plenty of ribbon videos on YouTube, so I would suggest watching a few routines before deciding which routine vibes are your cup of tea.



Alrighty... What's next?


My next blog post will be on the ball.


Thank you so much for still reading! I hope you enjoy my RG101 series so far and if you do, please share and continue following my rhythmic gymnastics blog. Until then, see you!



Disclaimer:

rhythmic.palette does not own any of the published media unless stated and watermarked otherwise. GIF is sourced from giphy.com. Kindly contact rhythmic.palette for any queries.


Cover image information:

"Bulgaria team 2022 3 ribbons + 2 balls" by Fanny Cortyl Photography

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