The Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship has ended in Moscow

The Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship ended in Moscow on March 7. The prizes went to Alina Kabayeva, a pupil of the Heavenly Grace Academy, where they teach not only sports skills, but also the most honest game. Izvestia correspondent Alexander Zolotnitsky told about the details.

No points are awarded for exercises with this "subject" — you can only count on the audience award. However, few fans could guess then: the future champion of Russia elegantly throws them autographed notebooks.

For millions of sports fans, this is the main start of the season in Russia. More than 100 of the best gymnasts from all over the country are competing for the championship title.

"For gymnasts and their mentors, the work at the championships does not stop for a minute. In the training room, every element is honed for a long time and persistently, so that during the run, already in bright swimsuits, it remains only to eliminate the last roughness. There is no room for error on the main carpet. In a minute and a half, you need to show the result of many years of work," the correspondent said.

When the announcer announces Arina Kovshova in the all-around final, the audience explodes with an ovation. The athlete of the Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy Alina Kabayeva fell in love with the fans. Since the beginning of the tournament, she has been among the favorites.

In a tense struggle, Arina bypasses her rivals. Two-time Olympic champion Evgenia Kanaeva and coach Tatiana Amelchenko worked with her for a long time. The program was perfected already under the guidance of Elizaveta Chernova.

"We have to work very hard, work in the gym and do these things boldly," Arina shared.

Olympic champion Alina Kabayeva has been with her all week explaining how to hone every element.

"Look, your knee should guide you. Once opened. Then your knee leads you again, and once you open it. That's a good girl. Is that how we can do it? Understand all this, accept it and do it," advises the athlete Alina Kabayeva, Olympic champion, president of the International Association "Heavenly Grace".

After awarding her ward, Alina Kabayeva emphasizes that winning at such a high level is primarily the result of teamwork.

"I would like to thank the entire coaching staff — choreographers and choreographers, Irina Borisovna Zenovka, Natalia Belugina, and Evgenia Kanaeva. We have achieved a really great result, I congratulate everyone on this!" said Alina Kabayeva.

The competition of "personalities" is primarily about the struggle of personalities. The 2024 champion Lala Kramarenko is back on the mat after a serious injury. Her return is one of the main intrigues of the championship. She performs well, but she doesn't qualify for the finals. Admits: she returned for the sake of the audience.

"We do everything for someone with love, so for the audience, they give us that love, and we give it to them," the gymnast shared.

Every day there were audacious bids for success. In the final, the second place went to Sofia Ilteryakova. The head coach of the national team, Tatyana Sergayeva, in a conversation with Izvestia, notes that the younger generation of gymnasts has loudly declared itself.

"The fact that our young people are moving forward with very strong and powerful steps, especially about the year of their birth in 2009, I said last year, they show what they are capable of. Now the nerves are playing out. Here you go, whoever has the stronger nerves is on the podium," said Tatiana Sergayeva, head coach of the Russian national rhythmic gymnastics team.

Even experienced athletes don't always manage to cope with the enormous pressure. Maria Borisova could not defend the title, made a series of mistakes in the ball practice. The gymnast returns to the training hall, barely holding back tears. She is comforted by Alina Kabayeva. Throughout the championship, the Olympic champion is next to her students.

"Calm down. The ball is always in your hands, no matter what happens, everything is fine," says Alina Kabayeva.

Eva Kononova, who trains under Evgenia Eliseeva, won the bronze medal in the all-around. Her program was choreographed by Natalia Belugina.

"Eva works very hard. If, for example, even a coach looks at another gymnast because she gets up to the music, Eva will do a lot on her own, she doesn't need to be forced," said the choreographer.

Eva proved it by deed. In the finals of individual sports, she wins gold for the hoop exercise.

An important indicator is that every day of the championship, Alina Kabayeva, a pupil of the Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, is consistently in the top three. In the ribbon final, they actually took the entire podium.

According to the results of the all-around, they won gold and bronze.

"It was a wonderful celebration of sports. You know, we have a great future, because those children who performed today, they just showed world-class skills. That's why we continue to prepare, and then we have World Cups, Grand Prix, and international competitions. And I want to wish all the girls good luck, and all the coaches patience and work, work and work," said Alina Kabayeva.

The Russian championship always has its own special drama. The unfortunate losses, the support of the fans, the tears of disappointment and the joy of triumph. All this should be motivation for every gymnast. The test of strength at the international level is ahead.

"Yes, I am a seasoned Russian girl."

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

In the ribbon final at the Russian Championships, athletes from the Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, Alina Kabayeva, took the entire podium. Maria Borisova won gold, Eva Kononova silver, and Alexandra Borisova bronze. Arina Kovshova became the champion of Russia in the all-around. The athlete went to this for a long time and persistently, coped with the injury.

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