Gymnasts of "Heavenly Grace" took two gold medals at the Russian Championships

Unique grace and impeccable technique: the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship is taking place in Moscow. The country's strongest athletes are competing for medals, but the stakes are higher — the right to compete in international competitions. Gymnasts are allowed to start in a neutral status. The favorites are pupils of the Celestial Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy Alina Kabayeva. The legendary Olympic champion personally supports the participants before the performances, each of which is an incredible show. The details were told by Izvestia correspondent Linar Ginatullin.

They smile, someone is a little embarrassed, someone is posing cheerfully. It seems to be an ordinary photo shoot, but for gymnasts it's not just a photo. This is the first sign of the start that the audience is waiting for: as soon as the portrait flashes on the big screen, it means that there are seconds left before the exit. The audience explodes with applause, and behind the scenes there is a completely different face — focused. Inhale, exhale, and then fly.

The Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship is the main start of the season in our country. And from the very first days of the championship, there has been a struggle for gold in every subject. Here the leader's status is confirmed and the squad for international tournaments is formed.

"We train female gymnasts for international competitions, in particular, for the World Championships, because the tension does not stop from the beginning to the end of the competition," said Tatiana Sergayeva, head coach of the Russian national rhythmic gymnastics team.

The reigning champion Maria Borisova is in the spotlight. She opened the first day with a hoop exercise. The new blue swimsuit highlights the gymnast's image, making even complex elements look weightless.

But behind this ease, daily training sessions at the Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy of Alina Kabayeva are supervised by the Olympic champion herself. Alina Kabayeva constantly encourages the athletes and supports them before their performances. Her advice helps you complete the most difficult turn of the Raffaeli cleanly and confidently. And this support does not end even after the final pose on the carpet.

Maria is not the only one betting on this element. It is performed by the 2024 champion Lala Kramarenko. However, it is difficult to get into a competitive rhythm after an injury, so she goes to the carpet not for the sake of the numbers in the protocol, but for the sake of the audience.

"We do everything for someone with love, therefore for the audience. They give us this love, and we give it to them," the gymnast shared.

"Yes, I am a seasoned Russian girl."

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There is a crazy competition this season, with newcomers coming on the heels of the favorites. For example, Eva Kononova from Alina Kabayeva's Heavenly Grace Academy. Her hoop exercise to the soundtrack from "Sherlock" impresses with its complexity, bright chips and confidence of execution.

"Everything that determines the perfection of a gymnast's performance is hidden from the eyes of the viewer. If she looks light and airy on the carpet, it's only because of her hard work on the training mat," the correspondent noted.

Mistakes are dealt with with concentration, elements are worked out and failures are experienced, sometimes even with tears. Alice Medvedeva was caught by the film crew doing an unusual thing — juggling. This is how she trains coordination and even taught our correspondent how to keep three balls in the air at the same time, without falling.

"I get emotionally charged from fast movements. [Training] for coordination, agility, and speed," Alice Medvedeva shared.

The first medals of the championship were awarded in the finals of individual sports. Eva Kononova, a pupil of the Heavenly Grace Academy, and Evgenia Eliseeva, a coach, won gold in the hoop. Anastasia Vlasenko won the silver, and Ulyana Janus won the bronze.

In the ball exercise, Arina Kovshova, a representative of the Academy, who trains under the guidance of Elizaveta Chernova, won another gold. Silver went to Milena Schenyatskaya, bronze to Karina Kireeva.

The current champion, Maria Borisova, did not compete in individual finals due to health reasons. The team decided not to take any chances and save their strength for the all-around. After all, the fight is only gaining momentum: the gaps are minimal, and one inaccuracy can completely change the balance of power. There are two more sports ahead and the main exam is the all—around, where the national champion will be determined.

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