Russian gymnasts successfully performed at the second stage of the World Cup in Tashkent

Russian athletes performed brilliantly at the second stage of the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Tashkent. Following the results of the competitions, Alina Kabayeva, a pupil of the Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, takes home several sets of medals at once.

Gymnast Maria Borisova became the best in the all-around, beating the Olympic champion from Germany. Masha also won silver in hoop exercises. Russian gymnasts won silver and bronze medals in group exercises. Behind every exit and radiant smiles lies titanic work: control of every movement and indescribable emotions.

At Alina Kabayeva's Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, the day begins with preparations for departure — packed suitcases, last hugs and the way to the airport. Another international launch is ahead.

"Tashkent became the capital of rhythmic gymnastics for a few days. The best gymnasts from all continents have gathered here for the World Cup stage. And this is no coincidence, because the city lives at the junction of epochs — here ancient mosques are adjacent to modern sports facilities," said Izvestia correspondent Linar Ginatullin.

Old Tashkent lives its own life — children fly a kite in the square, and ribbons follow it in the sky. And very close by, the same lines are already repeated on the gymnastic carpet — it is in the complex of the Gymnastics Federation of Uzbekistan that the fight for a place at the main starts is taking place.

"This is what the main competition venue looks like, which, by the way, are of particular importance. They are part of the Olympic qualification system for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles," Ginatullin said.

"Yes, I am a seasoned Russian girl."

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For Maria Borisova, Eva Kononova and the team of group exercises of the Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy Alina Kabayeva, who perform under a neutral status, this start is a great responsibility. The Tashkent stage is part of the World Cup series, where the overall standings are formed and the strongest gymnasts of the season are determined.

"The gymnasts are very strong, but they haven't participated in international competitions for four years. That's why I noticed a slight tension. But they have talent, and they will gradually return to normal," said Morinari Watanabe, President of the International Gymnastics Federation.

But the excitement seems to help Maria Borisova get ready and become the best in the all-around.

"I want to thank everyone involved in this result. We have gold! Can you imagine?" said Maria Borisova, a pupil of Alina Kabayeva's Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.

She confidently beat even the reigning Olympic champion Daria Varfolomeev.

"Now we finally meet after many years. We haven't seen each other for a long time, but I also followed the gymnastics, of course. She's always at the highest level anyway," Varfolomeev said.

Masha also took second place in the hoop exercise. Together with coach Irina Gusarova, they worked out the complex, dynamic and vibrant elements of the program. And now this is history and material for analysis. While preparing for the next starts, the gymnast plays videos of performances in Tashkent.

"We will analyze, we are already thinking about what to change for the next start," Borisova said.

Masha's fans literally wouldn't let her pass. And social networks were full of publications with her performances. They show that the audience in the hall could not contain their emotions, broke their voice and counted the turns in chorus.

"They applaud, greet, and give me toys. It's very nice. They come up to me, and they come up to Masha," said Irina Gusarova, coach of Alina Kabayeva's Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.

Support is felt even from Sirius. During Masha's performances, training sessions at the academy are stopped to monitor her performances.

The main support is from Olympic champion Alina Kabayeva. Even from a distance, she stays close to the team and helps with valuable advice during training sessions before the tournament.

"Eva, don't overdo the clubs. Tell yourself — one mace, the other mace. And that's it! Don't overdo it, let her go in time, you know everything," Kabayeva noted.

This is Eva's first major international start. Together with coach Evgenia Eliseeva, she passes it confidently, coping with excitement, despite her debut at such a level.

"It seems to me that Eva's tape has gone especially far. And as soon as the music turned on, the hall immediately became lively, the judges got a little excited," said Olga Minnigalina, the judge of the second stage of the World Cup in Tashkent.

The team of group exercises and its coach Anna Ustsova are also involved in the fight for medals, working out every detail to automatism.

And in many ways, thanks to the accurate remarks of Alina Kabayeva, the athletes perform convincingly and win silver and bronze in individual sports.

"I am very glad, incredibly happy that we managed to take two medals in the finals — this is a great happiness," said Anna Ustsova, coach of the Heavenly Grace Academy of Rhythmic Gymnastics of Alina Kabayeva.

Such results for our athletes are not just medals, but a step towards returning to a great international level, where every performance is important.

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Daniel Marinov, the new leader of the men's national gymnastics team, brought another medal to Russia.

Gymnast Ksenia Savinova became the champion of the Russian All-around championship in Kazan on March 31. The program of each participant was extremely difficult. Alina Kabayeva, a pupil of the Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, triumphantly emerged from this ordeal.

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