Russia won both gold medals on offer in Putian today ©FIG

Russia were in formidable form on the second day of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships as they claimed both gold medals on offer at the Putian Complex Sports Gymnasium in China.

Igor Mishev and Nikolay Suprunov, who finished behind Arne van Gelder and Vincent Casse of Belgium in yesterday’s qualification round, surged to the summit of the men’s pairs leaderboard with a score of 28.070 points to secure the gold medal.

It was achieved by virtue of having a higher difficulty and execution score than the Belgian pair, who were forced to settle for silver on 27.890 points.

The bronze went to North Korea’s Kim Un Hak and Ri Chol Jun after their routine was awarded 27.770 points by the judges.

The victory for Mishev and Suprunov ensures Russia keep hold of the title won by Konstantin Pilipchuk and Aleksei Dudchenko at the 2014 World Championships in Levallois-Perret in France.

Daria Guryeva and Daria Kalinina, standout performers in the women’s pairs during the qualification stage, produced another superb routine to top the podium.

They blew the rest of the field out of the water with a commanding total of 28.760 points after the judges were impressed with all aspects of their display.

Igor Mishev and Nikolay Suprunov earned gold for Russia in the men's pairs
Igor Mishev and Nikolay Suprunov earned gold for Russia in the men's pairs ©FIG

The Russians’ difficulty of 10.410 was considerably tougher than nearest challengers Marharyta Bartashevich and Viktoryia Mikhnovich of Belarus, while they also proved too strong in the artistic and execution disciplines.

The Belarus pair took home silver on an overall 27.575 points, 0.505 in front of bronze medallists Laurie Philpott and Natasch van Es of Belgium as the final leaderboard mirrored that of the qualification the day before.

Action in Putian is due to conclude tomorrow with a packed day of finals as gold medals are due to be awarded in mixed pairs and men’s and women’s groups.

Russia have a chance of securing a third crown as Marina Chernova, the world champion in 2014, and Georgy Pataraya lead the way in the mixed pairs.

Their compatriots Yulia Nikitina, Valeriia Belkina and Zhanna Parkhomets are the ones to beat in the women's group.

Chinese quartet Li Zheng, Rui Liuming, Zhang Teng and Zhou Jiahuai look set to deliver a title for the host nation in the men's group.

Belgium, Russia, North Korea and China all earned the right to send both men's and women's pairs to the World Games next year in Wrocław in Poland.