Rhythmic gymnasts seem to defy physics

Sakura Hayakawa of Japan performs with clubs during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 29, 2013.

Margarita Mamun of Russia performs during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships tournament in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 28, 2013.

Ganna Rizatdinova of Ukraine performs with a hoop during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships tournament in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 28, 2013.

Yana Kudryavtseva of Russia performs with a ball during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships tournament in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 28, 2013.

Ganna Rizatdinova of Ukraine performs with a ball during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships tournament in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 28, 2013.

Maria Canilhas of Portugal performs with a ball during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug., 28, 2013.

Yana Kudryavtseva of Russia performs with a ball during the individual final at the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug., 28, 2013.

Yana Kudryavtseva of Russia performs with a ribbon during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 29, 2013.

Deng Senyue of South Korea performs with a hoop during the individual final at the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 28, 2013.

From left, silver medalist Yana Kudryavtseva of Russia, gold medalist Ganna Rizatdinova of Ukraine, and bronze medalist Margarita Mamun of Russia wave with their medals after the hoop competition at the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 28, 2013.

Ganna Rizatdinova of Ukraine performs with a hoop during the individual final at the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug., 28, 2013.

Jana Berezko-Marggrander of Germany performs with a ball during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships tournament in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 28, 2013.

Margarita Mamun of Russia performs during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships tournament in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 28, 2013.

Margarita Mamun of Russia performs with clubs during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 29, 2013.

Son Yeon Jae of South Korea performs with a hoop during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 28, 2013.

Margarita Mamun of Russia performs with a ribbon during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 29, 2013.

Alina Maksymenko of Ukraine performs with a ribbon during the 32nd rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Kiev, Ukraine, Aug. 29, 2013.