Russian women won prizes at the Aeon Cup tournament in Japan

The great success of Russian gymnasts at the World Club Championships in Tokyo. Gold in the junior all-around, silver in the team competition, and this after a long break from major international competitions. The Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics School has once again proved to be a reference point for professionals all over the world. A special gift for the athletes, and they are all partners of the international association "Heavenly Grace" – congratulations from Olympic champion Alina Kabayeva. The details were revealed by REN TV correspondent Maxim Prikhod.

Flawless movements, plasticity and precision in every performance. The best of the best came to the championship.

The Aeon Cup is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the planet. It is called the World Club Championship. And for our athletes, participation in it, albeit in a neutral status, is a long-awaited return to the international arena. And the return is a triumphant one.

Girls in kimonos brought out sets of awards. Ksenia Savinova is on the highest step of the podium. She is the strongest among the juniors. The most difficult risks in performing with a ball, rhythmic and vibrant choreography with a hoop, accompanied by a Russian-language soundtrack.

One of the most important elements of the program is a mixed jump: an expensive jump from the point of view of judging and difficult to perform. Before that, the athlete did not risk turning it on.

"In the hoop, I'm throwing an object, jumping and catching. It is necessary to carefully monitor both the object and the jump so that the foot does not fall, and also catch it," explained Russian gymnast Ksenia Savinova.

"Our beloved Alina Maratovna recommended us to put on this set. And yes, we did it. It is quite expensive now according to the fish rules. And we did it flawlessly, I think," said coach Evgenia Eliseeva.

Savinova also heard important words from Olympic champion and head coach of the team Tatiana Sergaeva.

Before the performance, someone loudly greeted the host of our team from the stands. Maria Borisova came out confidently. A series of fuettes, difficult and graceful jumps. She was applauded by both the cheerleaders and the competitors.

At the age of 18, Masha Borisova is competing in such a serious international championship for the first time. She was ready before, but since 2022, Russian athletes have not been allowed to compete under the auspices of the International Gymnastics Federation. That's why it's only more difficult for the rivals: they hadn't met Masha before, but now she's at the peak of her form.

"I am very glad that entering the international arena came precisely when I am, behind the scenes, probably the leader in the country, and this is a great happiness for me," said Russian gymnast Maria Borisova.

"The child aspired to this, to enter such competitions, all his sports career. Of course, it's very important, of course, I really wanted to show myself to the maximum," added coach Irina Gusarova.

Masha's main trump card is artistry. Now it has an even stronger effect on the overall score.

"In fact, artistry is now one of the most important teams. The expression of the body, the way the gymnast moves, the expression of the face is appreciated, how much she conveys emotions in music," said the judge of the Aeon Cup 2025.

The third member of our team is Ulyana Janus. Her performance with the ball is gentle and soulful. At the same time, every step, jump, and throw is graceful and precise.

"It was a very big responsibility, because I didn't want to let the girls and the team down. That's why I tried to be very collected," said Russian gymnast Ulyana Janus.

And she did not disappoint: our gymnasts, and all of them are partners of the international association "Heavenly Grace", won the silver medal of the team competition. And it gives an advantage, because next year, bypassing the qualification, athletes from Russia will get straight to the finals.

"The Aeon Cup World Club Championship is the first tournament of this scale in several years, in which gymnasts from our country participated. Ksenia Savinova, Maria Borisova and Ulyana Janus are partners of the International Association "Heavenly Grace", who performed in a neutral status. The girls showed remarkable results: gold in the junior all-around and silver in the team competition. But this is just the beginning. I am sure that new victories are waiting for us ahead. I would like to express my special gratitude to the coaching staff led by Tatiana Sergayeva for their professionalism, patience and invaluable contribution to the training of athletes," said Olympic champion and president of the international association "Heavenly Grace" Alina Kabayeva.

Tatiana Sergayeva has a double holiday. The birthday of the head coach of the Russian team fell on a trip to Tokyo.

"How many years have we traveled and how many of our Olympic champions have come here to compete and won. Roughly speaking, this is our home tournament, and we did not start with it in vain, because this is an unofficial World Cup," said Tatiana Sergayeva.

The tournament takes place in Japan, a country where tradition and high-tech are combined, where the boldness of ideas finds engineering realization. The fact that rhythmic gymnastics is loved here is evident from the queues that stretch along the Tokyo Sports Palace. Many of the visitors specially came to see the mysterious team of neutral AIN-2 athletes, but here everyone understands who they are and where they come from. Indeed, the president of the Japanese Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation himself notes that the participation of athletes from Russia raises the bar for the championship.

"Your Russian team, even under a neutral status, has given the competition a new level. I am often asked what kind of team it is, I say that it is from Russia. Everyone admires their level, they call it amazing," said Soichi Okazaki, President of the Japanese Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.

And our athletes, who used to compete for Russia in this tournament without any restrictions, are remembered and respected here. Their photos were placed in booklets, which were distributed to the participants. Alina Kabayeva won the championship seven times, and performed for the first time in 1996.

The legacy of the Olympic champion is treated with great respect by the current participants of the tournament. Asel Arapova, a junior from Kyrgyzstan who took silver, included an element named after her in her ribbon program.

"We really like this element. He looks very handsome. Few gymnasts currently perform it. And we want this element to remain in gymnastics," said Assel Arapova, a gymnast from Kyrgyzstan.

When the athletes from our team were preparing for this tournament at Alina Kabayeva's Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, they were, of course, inspired by the international triumphs of their great predecessors. And now they are conquering the peaks of world sports themselves.