Italy won the ribbon and rope team gold medal, while Japan matched its best-ever finish in the discipline in placing fourth on the final day of the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships Sunday.

Italy finished top with 26.650 points at Mie Prefectural Sun Arena while Japan, which was looking to win its first medal since taking silver at the all-around team final at the 1975 worlds in Madrid, scored 25.975.

Japan did not make the hoop team final won by Russia with 27.700 points.

Next year's world championships will take place in Moscow.