The last two World Championships had been won by Zebinisso Rustamova of the Soviet Union (1975) and Linda Meyers of the United States (1973). Both were in Montréal and Rustamova would take home a bronze medal, although Meyers placed only seventh. Nobody counted on another American Luann Ryon, who had never before competed internationally. But Ryon had the highest score in both rounds and won the gold medal by breaking Rustamova’s world record for the Double FITA Round. Although she was unknown in 1976, Ryon returned in 1977 to win a World title.