Gymnastics for everyone

The Cup of the Strongest final is more than just a battle for medals, it’s also a chance for young gymnasts to meet their idols. At Luzhniki, dozens of children were waiting for Alina Kabaeva, hoping to get an autograph and take a picture with her.

Medical staff and coaches assisted her on the training mat, with Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva by her side the entire time.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva spoke with the junior group gymnasts from the Russian National team and the Academy, as well as their coach Daria Pirogova, choreographer Veronika Shatkova, and choreographer Victoria Borodina.

Members of the Russian junior National group team and the Academy, together with their coach Darya Pirogova, extended belated wishes to the Olympic champion for National Coaches’ Day.

The champions and medalists in the senior all-around competition discussed their work on consistency, introduced new team members, and talked about the support they received from fans. The gymnasts from Omsk also recalled how the 2026 Alina Festival in India served as a true «reboot» for them before returning to their training regimen.

During training, the Olympic champion drew attention to the work of the Academy’s group exercises nearby. The gymnasts made mistakes when throwing the balls, and the Olympic champion explained step by step how to perform the element cleanly and beautifully.

We follow the creative process during the training of Arina Kovshova from Novosibirsk.

At an Academy training session Alina Kabaeva helped Polina Zavgorodnyaya from Moscow practice her rebounding and throwing steps in the program with the ball.

Watch how Alina Kabaeva helped Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg get into the right mindset during the all-around final at the Cup of the Strongest. After the first two apparatuses, the gymnast had the highest total score.

Alina Kabaeva spoke with Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina and Yana Zaikina from Volgograd about how to prepare for stepping onto the mat and how to test their own capabilities during every performance.

The Olympic champion arrived at the Academy, where she was welcomed with smiles and hugs. Academy gymnasts and coaches congratulated Alina Kabaeva on Coaches’ Day and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva and coach Elizaveta Chernova showed Arina Kovshova from the Novosibirsk region how to make the dance floor more artistic, and paid attention to the position of the foot and the ball during the throw.

At a training session at the Academy, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva not only explained to Arina Kovshova from Novosibirsk how to create an image to the music of the program, but also helped give character and expressiveness to the movements in a new exercise with clubs.

Alina Kabaeva showed the athlete how to properly throw the apparatus so that it fits into the rhythmic pattern.

We posed this question to musicians from the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra during the 2026 Alina festival.

Preparation— highest level!

The video features the impressions of Aleksey Sukmanov, who took second place. The young athlete summarized his performance at the junior championship. Meanwhile, coach Evgeni Ivanov spoke about the athletes' first competitive experience and what they need to work on next.

Together with the head coach of the Russian national team, Emanuela Maccarani, coaches Ksenia Dudkina and Anna Ustsova, the gymnasts are polishing their routines, perfecting their teamwork, and paying attention to details.

Mariia Borisova from St.Petersburg, Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina, Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz, and the junior group exercises team are busy refining their routines in Novogorsk.

Gymnasts from the Academy Alisa Shunina from Volgograd, and Diana Kotlovskaya and Diana Sobyanina from St.Petersburg, shared their impressions of competing in the tournament held in Armenia.

The Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy celebrated All-Russian Gymnastics Day!  A festive program was prepared for the young participants: master classes, fun relay races, flexibility and agility tasks, as well as surprises. Yesenia Mitkova, Virsavia Panova, Lidiya Negodova, Ulyana Kordyukova, Eliza Polegaeva, Kataleya Sudarikova, Miya Mamisheva, Anastasia Skidan and Valeria Kubasova told what they remember most and why they love rhythmic gymnastics. Let’s listen to the most sincere impressions by young gymnasts!

Ariadna Ivannikova, Dasha Igolkina, Ruslana Varlakova, and Eva Gamanova share who they admire and who they aspire to be like. They also share some kind words for the Academy and their coaches! The video is full of genuine smiles and big dreams!

Participants in the mAlinka tournament shared their experiences, talked about their first awards, and reflected on what they’ve learned during training. In this interview, we feature Kristina Prosviryakova and Eteri Esatiya!

Following the mAlinka tournament, this was discussed by Maria, mother of Kristina Prosviryakova, Nina, mother of Ariadna Ivannikova, Ksenia, mother of Ruslana Varlakova, and Pavel, father of Eva Gamanova.

Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina gives a tour of the rehearsal venue in Mumbai, showing the wardrobe and locker rooms, the relaxation areas, and spoke with participants.

Which roles will aerial gymnasts Alexander Tashkin, Alexei Volkov, and Artur Murinov play in the production? And what are the standout features of the festival? Watch this video to find out!

The gymnasts became part of the Enchanted Garden in a rendition of the ballet The Firebird at the 2026 Alina festival.

Following the 2026 Alina festival, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva spent time talking with guests and audience members from India and posed for keepsake photos with everyone who wished to take one.

Guests highlighted the grand scale of the production and the skill of the Russian performers and gymnasts.

Here are a few snapshots from that unforgettable evening.