Gymnasts of "Heavenly Grace" won gold at the Russian Championships

A triumph at the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship: the pupils of the Heavenly Grace Academy, Alina Kabayeva, showed themselves for the first time at an adult tournament of such a high level, where the competition also decides who will represent the country at international competitions. They had no equal in group exercises. Izvestia correspondent Anton Zolotnitsky spoke about the golden debut.

They don't come out on the carpet — rather, they fly out. Black plumage, swan-like grace. The young team of yesterday's juniors is achieving a triumph at the Russian championship.

The pupils of the Celestial Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, Alina Kabayeva, prove that even at the highest level you can surprise. For two days in a row, they stubbornly made an audacious bid for success in order to eventually achieve the coveted gold in the group exercises of the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship.

Climbing this podium is the cherished dream of every gymnast. The young pupils of the "Heavenly Grace" did it on the first attempt. But not because "beginners are lucky." It's not about luck at all.

It was difficult even for experts to predict their victory. For the team, this is their debut at adult competitions. But there's a lot of support behind me. Olympic champion Alina Kabayeva helped with advice during training.

"Don't stop, okay? They made a mistake, so what. They took it and went on, on, on," said Alina Kabayeva.

And, of course, she charged me with motivation during the X-days. For two days in a row, Alina Kabayeva is next to her students. Even after the award ceremony, the champion team does not seem to fully believe in their victory. But he knows exactly who to thank.

"Alina Maratovna's support is very important to us, as we are a new team that has only recently been assembled, and some of her advice from her personal path in rhythmic gymnastics helps us," said Alina Proschalykina, the Russian rhythmic gymnastics champion and a graduate of the Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.

"It's very valuable that she connects to us when she can't come to the gym, online. Deals with our mistakes and corrects us. It's a pleasure, and thank her very much for that!" emphasizes Zlata Remchukova, the Russian rhythmic gymnastics champion and a graduate of the Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.

In a conversation with Izvestia, Alina Kabayeva admits that there are many worthy, experienced teams at the Russian championship. From Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod. The victory of the young talents of the "Heavenly Grace" is all the more difficult and valuable.

"As for our team. I'm very happy too. This is a young team, because now the girls have come from the juniors, moved to the seniors, and they have been working together for just a month. Although, as we know, the teams from Moscow and St. Petersburg have been working together for a long time, it's probably been a year or a year and a half, maybe two together. That's why it's a young team. I am very happy for them that they performed well. Of course, there is something to strive for, but we will continue to work. And congratulations to my team and the coaching staff. Well done girls," said Olympic champion, president of the International Association "Heavenly Grace" Alina Kabayeva.

The Russian Championship is a holiday for every gymnast. In particular, because here you can approach your idol like this, hear advice, ask for an autograph.

"Alina Maratovna's autograph is important to us because it motivates us to train and continue to conquer heights," says Maria Osipchuk, a member of the Kaliningrad Region team.

Now all the competitors have more motivation. The debutantes of "Heavenly Grace" set a new bar, despite all the difficulties.

"Two gymnasts from our personal program came to us after the New Year. And it wasn't easy physically. It was also not easy for those girls who were already in the squad, because these are new sports, this is a masterful program, it's a lot more throws, elements," said Anna Ustsova, coach of Alina Kabayeva's Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.

This is the second year that the Russian Championship has been held according to the new rules. In them, artistry is valued as highly as the refinement of the performance. Each movement is not just a technical element, but also an artistic statement. This is a challenge for all athletes.

"The approaches have changed a lot, and the compositions themselves have changed. Now I want to see the story, I want to see the meaning, I want to see the image. And that's exactly what all the coaches and gymnasts are working on right now," said choreographer and Honored Coach of Russia Irina Zenovka.

After the group sex, the girls will come out on the carpet. Maria Borisova, the current champion and a graduate of the Heavenly Grace Academy, will try to defend the title. The example has already been set by those who have proved that nothing is impossible even in top-level sports.

"Yes, I am a seasoned Russian girl."

Olympic champion Angelina Melnikova — about the triumphant end of the season and plans for the future

The Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships started in Moscow on February 27. More than 500 of the best athletes compete in group and individual exercises. Each team has its own ritual. Before the performance, they set up so that later no one has any doubts: they are one on the carpet.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.