DUBAI: Following a successful debut last year, the Dubai International Rhythmic Gymnastics — better known as DuGym Cup — is back, promising a bigger and better show when it gets underway on Thursday.

Organised by DuGym Rhythmic Gymnastics, UAE’s first club of its sort, and supported by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the second edition of the tournament, which had attracted 285 gymnasts from 21 countries last year, will be held at the Al Manara Sports Hall in Jumeirah from Dec.7-9.

The DuGym Cup 2017 is set to raise the benchmark further this weekend with more than 450 participants, aged 5 to 16, from 17 countries, including 62 teams - five of which are from the UAE - competing for 48 gold medals in the individual categories and 12 in team disciplines.

The event has attracted a world-renowned panel of judges as well, including Russian legend Yevgeniya Kanayeva, the only individual rhythmic gymnast in history to win two Olympic all-around gold medals - at the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2012 London Olympics. She has also won 17 World titles and 13 European championships.

“Last year, we saw 285 international gymnasts from 21 countries compete here, while stars like the Rio 2016 Olympic Bronze Medallist Anna Rizatdinova of Ukraine, Dora Vass of Hungary and Bulgaria’s Maria Mateva were in attendance as well,” said Ghazi Al Madani, Manager of Sports Tourism at Dubai Sports Council.