BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 23, 2022 – Evita Griskenas (Orland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center) delivered a top-10 finish in her first international appearance of 2022, as the all-around competition concluded Saturday at the Baku World Cup in Azerbaijan. Lili Mizuno (Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center) was 14th. Both gymnasts will be in action during Sunday’s apparatus finals.

Griskenas, who last competed internationally at the 2021 World Championships in October, tallied a cumulative 117.300 to finish eighth in the all-around. Mizuno was close behind with a 113.700. Italy’s Sofia Raffaeli paced the field with a 125.150, while teammate Milena Baldassarri (121.550) was third. Bulgaria’s Boryana Kaleyn (124.700) claimed the silver.

Griskenas’ 29.100 on ribbon clinched a spot in Sunday’s event final, and Mizuno secured the second reserve position with a 28.050. Kaleyn’s 29.950 topped the scoresheet during qualifications. Raffaeli led the way on clubs with a 31.650. Griskenas (28.100) and Mizuno (26.500) were 12th and 21st on the apparatus, respectively.

On Friday, the 2020 Olympians each advanced to the ball final. Griskenas is also the second reserve for the hoop final, which is slated to kick things off Sunday at 4 a.m. ET. The ball final will follow at 4:35 a.m. ET, while the ribbon final will close out competition at the Milli Gimnastika Arenasi at 6:51 a.m. ET.