STUTTGART (Germany), Sept 6: The United States dazzled on the floor and vault to win the women’s team gold at the world gymnastics championships on Wednesday.

Defending champions China paid for their errors to finish second, 0.950 behind the Americans’ winning total of 184.400. Romania grabbed bronze after Russia, who had comfortably held third place before the final apparatus, saw their chances evaporate when Ekaterina Kramarenko mistimed her run-up, did not complete her vault and scored zero. Kramarenko’s botched effort dropped a tearful Russia to last in the eight-team final.

With hugs and cheers the US celebrated regaining the crown they had lost to China last year.

Italy were fourth, followed by Brazil, France and Britain, who were competing in their first world team final.—Reuters