1. Overview
Elisa Santoni, born on December 10, 1987, is a distinguished Italian rhythmic gymnast who achieved significant success in her career. A veteran of the Italian national rhythmic gymnastics group, Santoni participated in three Olympic Games, securing a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Her career is also marked by multiple gold and silver medals at the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships and the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships, showcasing her consistent performance at the elite level of the sport before her retirement in 2012.
2. Early Life and Background
Elisa Santoni was born on December 10, 1987, in Rome, Italy. She stands at 5.8 ft (1.76 m) tall. Early in her career, she was affiliated with the sports club C.S. Aeronautica Militare, where she developed her skills under the guidance of head coach Emanuela Maccarani.
3. Rhythmic Gymnastics Career
Elisa Santoni's professional career in rhythmic gymnastics was extensive and highly decorated, marked by consistent excellence in group competitions at the highest international levels. She was a key member of the Italian group that became one of the dominant forces in the sport during her tenure, competing in numerous Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships.
3.1. Olympic Games
Santoni competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics with the Italian rhythmic gymnastics group. Her Olympic debut was at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, where she and her teammates earned a silver medal in the group all-around competition, scoring 49.450 points. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, the Italian group finished in fourth place in the group all-around. In her final Olympic appearance at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom, Santoni was part of the group that secured a bronze medal in the all-around event with a final score of 55.450 points.
3.2. World Championships
Santoni achieved remarkable success at the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, securing multiple gold and silver medals throughout her career.
She was a member of the Italian group that won the gold medal in the Group All-around event at three consecutive championships:
- 2009 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Mie, Japan (also securing a gold medal in 3 Ribbons / 2 Ropes).
- 2010 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Moscow, Russia.
- 2011 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Montpellier, France.
Additionally, she earned numerous silver and bronze medals:
- At the 2011 Montpellier World Championships, she won silver medals in the 5 Balls and 3 Ribbons / 2 Hoops events.
- At the 2010 Moscow World Championships, she earned silver medals in 5 Hoops and 3 Ribbons / 2 Ropes.
- At the 2009 Mie World Championships, she won a silver medal in 5 Hoops.
- At the 2007 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Patras, Greece, she secured silver medals in the Group All-around, 5 Ropes, and 3 Hoops / 4 Clubs events.
- At the 2005 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, she won gold in 3 Hoops / 4 Clubs, and silver medals in the Group All-around and 5 Ribbons.
- Her earliest World Championship medals were two bronze medals at the 2003 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in the 5 Ribbons and 3 Hoops / 2 Balls events.
3.3. European Championships
Elisa Santoni also made significant contributions at the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships.
Her achievements include:
- A gold medal at the 2008 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships in Turin, Italy, in the 5 Ropes event. She also won a silver medal in 3 Hoops / 4 Clubs and a bronze in the Group All-around at this championship.
- At the 2010 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships in Bremen, Germany, she secured silver medals in the Group All-around and 3 Ribbons / 2 Ropes events, along with a bronze medal in 5 Hoops.
- At the 2006 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships in Moscow, Russia, she earned silver medals in the Group All-around and 3 Hoops / 4 Clubs, as well as a bronze in 5 Ribbons.
- At the 2012 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, she contributed to two bronze medals for the Italian group in the Group All-around and 3 Ribbons / 2 Hoops.
- Her initial European Championship medals were two bronze medals at the 2003 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships in Riesa, Germany, in the Group All-around and 3 Hoops / 2 Balls.
3.4. Retirement
Elisa Santoni retired from professional rhythmic gymnastics competition in 2012, concluding a distinguished career marked by numerous international medals.
4. Detailed Olympic Results
The following table provides detailed results for Elisa Santoni's performances at the Olympic Games, with a particular focus on the 2012 London Olympics.
| Year | Competition Description | Location | Music | Apparatus | Rank | Score-Final | Rank | Score-Qualifying |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Olympics | Athens | Group All-around | 2nd | 49.450 | N/A | N/A | |
| 2008 | Olympics | Beijing | Group All-around | 4th | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 2012 | Olympics | London | All-around | 3rd | 55.450 | 2nd | 55.800 | |
| Black Gold by Armand Amar | 5 Balls | 2nd | 28.125 | 2nd | 28.100 | |||
| William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini | 3 Ribbons + 2 Hoops | 4th | 27.325 | 2nd | 27.700 |
5. Teammates
Throughout her career, Elisa Santoni competed alongside several notable teammates in the Italian rhythmic gymnastics group. Key teammates included Romina Laurito, Marta Pagnini, Elisa Blanchi, Anzhelika Savrayuk, and Andreea Stefanescu. Together, they formed a formidable team that achieved widespread international recognition.