World champion Russia proved its dominance in rhythmic gymnastics as it led the group qualifications after the rope rotation at the Olympic test event on Wednesday.

With Russia and Italy being pitted against each other in the group competition, the "Good Luck Beijing" Rhythmic Gymnastics International Invitational is viewed as a pre-Olympic rehearsal between the world's best two teams.

The Russian team, winner of the 2007 World Championships and the last two Olympics, remained formidable when it scored 17.500 points in the rope exercise, with a difficulty valued 8.600, the highest among the competitors.

Italy, second place in Athens and the 2007 World Championships, started with a 7.70 difficulty value and finished second.

The Belarus team, silver medalist in Sydney Olympics and bronze winner in the 2007 worlds, trailed in third place with 16.700 points.

Host China, who is still looking for its first rhythmic gymnastics international medal, finished fourth.

The rhythmic gymnastics international invitational, though only a test event for the upcoming Beijing Olympics, is still a competition of high standard, with big names such as world champion Anna Bessonova and Olga Kapranova setting the bar high.

In the qualifications, ten groups perform two exercises, one with 5 ropes and the other with 3 hoops and 2 clubs. The best eight groups in both exercises will compete in the final.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2007)