The World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships are the World Championships for the sport of rhythmic gymnastics. They were first held in 1963. Only the Soviet Union (Post-Soviet Republics of today), Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and East Germany have won individual all-around medals at the World Championships, except for 1975 which they boycotted. The individual competition has been overwhelmingly dominated by Eastern European countries – especially the Soviet Union (Post-Soviet Republics of today) and Bulgaria, who have won 87 out of 93 individual all-around medals. Except for 1975 World Championships, Czechoslovakia and East Germany are the only other countries to have won individual all-around medals at the World Championships.
On the other hand, groups are more open than individuals – Eastern and Southern Europe are the duumvirate of the group competition.