MIE, Japan — Olympic champion Evgeniya Kanaeva of Russia finished first in qualifying Wednesday for the individual ribbon event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships.

Kanaeva, who won two gold medals on Tuesday, received 28.425 points from the judges to finish first in qualification for Thursday's final in ribbon.

Olga Kapranova of Russia was second with 27.550 points, and Daria Kondakova of Russia is in third place with 26.700.

Kanaeva won gold in the individual hoop and rope events on Tuesday.

A total of 156 gymnasts from 50 countries are taking part in the meet that features individual rope, hoop, ball and ribbon events as well as team and individual all-around competitions.

In qualification for the ball event, Melitina Staniouta of Belarus finished first with 27.400 points, while Anna Bessanova of Ukraine was second with 27.325.

Russia also led the team competition with 253.075 points, followed by Belarus with 237.200 and Ukraine with 229.800.

Russia won eight of the nine gold medals at the 2007 world championships in Greece.