Historic Gold: The Ukrainian “Deriugina School” Team Wins AEON Cup 2025 Club World Championship
October 2025 marked a new milestone for Ukrainian rhythmic gymnastics. At the AEON Cup Club World Championship in Japan, the Ukrainian team “Deriugina School,” composed of Taisiia Onofriichuk, Polina Karika, and Liubov Gorashchenko, won the gold medal. This victory carries special significance: it is the first such gold for Ukraine at this prestigious club tournament, as confirmed by official communications from the international gymnastics community.
The lineup for the Ukrainian team was chosen strategically. Taisiia Onofriichuk became the key figure she won the all-around among seniors. Polina Karika took fifth place in her category, while Liubov Gorashchenko finished fifth among juniors. As a result, the team confidently accumulated the necessary points, and Ukraine received the final score that secured first place.
A statement from the Ukrainian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation clearly notes:
“The Ukrainian team ‘Deriugina School’ won the gold medal at the AEON Cup 2025 Club World Championship in Japan. This is Ukraine’s first-ever …”
International sources confirm this, emphasizing:
“Deriugina School from Ukraine are the new club world champions at Aeon Cup! Taisiia Onofriichuk, Polina Karika and Liubov Gorashchenko ran a …”
Competition and Tournament Atmosphere
The championship final showcased a high level of competition. The Ukrainian gymnasts outperformed a neutral team that included Russian athletes Kseniya Savinova, Maria Borisova, and Ulyana Yanus. Third place went to the American representatives. This underlined the symbolic significance of the victory: in the context of intense international tensions, the Ukrainians prevailed and became undisputed leaders.
It was also reported that during the awards ceremony, the Ukrainian team, in response to the presence of athletes from the aggressor country, deliberately ignored the traditional handshake. This step went uncommented by the judges but received support from the gymnastics community.
Previous Achievements and the Road to Gold
Success at AEON Cup 2025 is the result of systematic, long-term work. Just a few weeks earlier, Taisiia Onofriichuk and Polina Karika had delivered a brilliant performance at the Grand Prix in Brno, Czech Republic. Together, they won seven medals, with the most prestigious being three golds for Onofriichuk (all-around, ball, hoop) and gold in clubs for Karika. The athletes also collected silver and bronze medals in the finals of various events.
“Taisiia Onofriichuk won with a score of 115.700 points, and Polina Karika took third place with 110.700 points,”– as recorded in the official results of the Brno Grand Prix. Such results are proof of stability and a high level of preparation.
It is also worth noting that the team has repeatedly demonstrated a principled position regarding competitions involving Russian athletes. In particular, Ukraine boycotted the stage of the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Paris due to the presence of competitors from the aggressor country.
The Symbolic Meaning of the Victory
This gold medal is not just a win at a tournament. It is a clear signal to the global sports community that Ukrainian gymnasts are among the strongest, regardless of political or sporting pressure. After a year of full-scale war and constant challenges, the Ukrainian team proved that professionalism and resilience yield results. Symbolically, this historic triumph was accompanied by an emotional response not only from fans but also from the gymnastics community around the world. Congratulations to the Ukrainian gymnasts and their coaches poured in from many countries, emphasizing this is a victory not only in sport but also in principle.
Ukrainian rhythmic gymnastics has taken a significant step forward: victory at the AEON Cup 2025 in Japan is not only a new peak for the “Deriugina School” but also further proof that Ukraine is capable of setting new sporting standards at the global level.
Taisiia Onofriichuk, Polina Karika, and Liubov Gorashchenko have shown that the perseverance, professionalism, and principles of Ukrainian athletes can overcome any barriers and bring victories recognized worldwide.
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