Which gymnast won the first rhythmic gymnastics world all-around title in 1963?

Ludmila Savinkova won the first rhythmic gymnastics world all-around title in 1963.

The inaugural World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships took place in Budapest, Hungary, on 7–8 December 1963. Savinkova represented the Soviet Union and won both contested components: freehand, with 9.633 points, and apparatus, with 9.600. Her combined total was 19.233.

The competition was an early version of modern rhythmic gymnastics. The field included 28 gymnasts from 10 countries, and athletes performed freehand and apparatus routines using equipment such as hoops, balls and handheld streamers. The event was initially described as a European Cup tournament before the FIG recognized it as the first world championship.

Savinkova’s nearest challenger was fellow Soviet gymnast Tatiana Kravtchenko, who finished second with 19.166. Julia Trashlieva placed third. Savinkova later won group gold at the 1967 World Championships before retiring from competition.