Athletes from Congo that have recently come to the training camp at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy performed at the Alina 2024 Festival for the first time.Jocelin Patrick Mandzela, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Congo in St. Petersburg, explained what performance at such a large-scale festival means for gymnasts from his country.<blockquote>“The team of our athletes was looking forward to this trip. A very important trip, another step towards a dream for children. And the expectations proved to be true. First of all, I would like to note how warmly the delegation was received, the sincere respect from the receiving party. Also, the children will be able to share incredible experiences, because Russian rhythmic gymnastics is number one in the world. Participation in festivals like this is an opportunity to reach a new level, to show oneself, to realize that anything is possible. The main result we expect from this trip is motivation. It’s what creates champions.”&nbsp;</blockquote>Jocelin Patrick Mandzela also particularly thanked Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva.&nbsp;<blockquote>“I would like on behalf of the Republic of Congo to appreciate Alina Kabaeva and her team for organizing and helping with the implementation of this trip.”</blockquote>The training camp for gymnasts from Congo was organized by the Alina Kabaeva Charitable Foundation, which covered the costs.

02518d7fe9992f5fce30e4.jpg

c524c37c6221486b5e3407.jpg

The Alina Festival

Athletes from Congo that have recently come to the training camp at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy performed at the Alina 2024 Festival for the first time.

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Congo in St. Petersburg visiting Alina 2024 Festival

The champion of the Russian Cup in 2025, Mariia Borisova, summed up the results of the start in Kazan:<blockquote>"Everything didn't go that well at this tournament. We need to thoroughly analyze why this happened, and perhaps find a new approach to competitive preparation right before the competition, to ensure our performances are flawless, even the smallest ones. Irina Nikolaevna and Alina Maratovna urged me to focus on everything, especially on the second day. They wanted me to do everything the same way I did on the floor. That is, everything had already been practiced. You need to be able to concentrate for those ninety minutes, for the performance."</blockquote>This was the last time the gymnast performed with the clubs program of this season at this tournament. She shared the mood with which she went out on the carpet:<blockquote>"I entered the program with the intention of enjoying it one last time, feeling it again. Right down to my fingertips. This is probably my first such powerful, adult program. So I'm glad I had it. But now there will be another one, just as good."</blockquote>In addition, Masha shared her plans for the New Year holidays:<blockquote>"Now the plan is to create new programs, we'll go on New Year's holidays, I'll go home to my family, I'll be with all my relatives, and then we'll start working on new programs and also preparing for the Russian Championship."</blockquote>The athlete thanked everyone who helped her this year:<blockquote>"I want to thank Irina Nikolaevna, Alina Maratovna, and everyone who was there this year and helped me. In fact, the entire large team, Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy. I also want to thank the judges and the fans. Thank you so much for always being there and supporting me. I love you all. Have a great year!"</blockquote>At the Russian Cup, a gymnast from St. Petersburg became the all-around champion. Her coach is Irina Gusarova, and her choreographer is Elena Egorova.

341fd7e55aef809447e094.jpg

8963126a353f090813cce6.jpg

Opinion

At the competition in Kazan, a gymnast from St. Petersburg became the champion in the all-around.

"Thank you so much for always being there and supporting me." Mariia Borisova talks about the victory at the Russian Cup

Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy celebrated its third birthday.In honor of the third anniversary of the Sky Grace, an entertainment program was prepared for the little and adult students: interactive activities with hosts, dances, magic tricks, cake and gifts!

b4cefb9706ce52cf79ad1c.png

cdc8662f742744f63534e6.png

Academy Life

An entertainment program was prepared for the little and adult students: interactive activities with hosts, dances, magic tricks, cake and gifts.

A celebration was held at the Academy in honor of the third anniversary of the Sky Grace

The Academy group gymnasts began to work with new apparatuses, balls and ribbons.The gymnasts' new programs will be shown next season.

cf08daa04980059e5a84b7.png

1a61f1fac4b3dd2579619f.png

The Academy group gymnasts began to prepare programs with new apparatuses

The international tournament Battle of the Cities has kicked off at the Martial Arts Academy there!Over 400 judokas under 18 from Russia, the USA, France, Greece, Slovenia, Mongolia, South Korea, Brazil, and Cuba are participating in the event.The competition is taking place from December 6 to 19. The tournament is organized by the Russian Judo Federation and the DobroFON charity program.

b227bca72deddcafd187e1.png

12a529f45d4257a998f8e1.png

MA Academy

Over 400 judokas under 18 from Russia, the USA, France, Greece, Slovenia, Mongolia, South Korea, Brazil, and Cuba are participating in the event.

The international tournament Battle of the Cities has kicked off at the Martial Arts Academy

Yana Sakovich from Moscow became a two-time champion of the Step to the Dream international tournament in Armenia among juniors born in 2010. The gymnast won gold in exercises with ball and clubs.Her coach is Irina Gusarova, and her choreographer is Elena Egorova.

8e74fd8263546d7ffb6fa4.png

45c3da10f8d270edc40f6f.png

Competitions

Her coach is Irina Gusarova, and her choreographer is Elena Egorova.

Yana Sakovich became a two-time champion of the Step to the Dream international tournament in Armenia

Nika Reznik from Irkutsk performed at the Russian Cup under the quota of the Sky Grace International Association. She was less than a point away from entering the top 24 at the Russian Championships. And the Association gave her the opportunity to come to Kazan and compete with the best.Honored coach of Russia and the USSR Olga Buyanova spoke about what the competitions in Kazan mean to them, and also summarized the year for her trainee:<blockquote>"I think that for any participant who came here, this event, like the Russian Cup, is the most important competition in Russia. And for Nika, it's certainly a big deal, and she's very happy to have come here. We're very grateful to the Sky Grace International Association for inviting us. And we were simply delighted that this event would happen for us. This is, of course, a very rich athletic experience. The ranks here are at the highest level. So, from today's floor testing, I can see that Nika really wants to live up to the standards. And, of course, to compete against the very best gymnasts. I think this will be a tremendous experience for her. It's been a very difficult year. It's good that everything worked out this way, that she's gotten back into shape and is able to take part in competitions like this."</blockquote>The Sky Grace International Association supports talented athletes and gives them a chance to compete at a high level. In 2025, the Association's quota allowed a greater number of gymnasts to participate in the Cup of the Strongest, the CIS Games, the Sky Grace Cup, the Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup international competitions, and the all-Russian Young Gymnasts tournament.

940f4e36f084f8c24a2bd0.png

8f3cfe6fbc25179ea83254.png

Nika Reznik from Irkutsk performed at the Russian Cup under the quota of the Sky Grace International Association.

"We are very grateful to the Association." Olga Buyanova talks about the performance of her trainee Nika Reznik at the Cup of Russia

Four athletes have earned the opportunity to compete at the Russian Cup under the International Association quota!Maria Dmitrieva, Nika Reznik, Eva Kononova, and Sofia Vorobyova participated in the competition under the Sky Grace quota.The Sky Grace International Association supports talented athletes and gives them the opportunity to compete at a high level. In 2025, the Association's quota allowed more gymnasts to compete in the international Cup of the Strongest competitions, the CIS Games, the Sky Grace Cup, the Alina Kabaeva Champions Cup Grand Prix, and the All-Russian Young Gymnasts tournament.Maria trains at the Taganka Moscow State Physical Culture and Sport School of Olympic Reserve in Moscow, where her coaches are Anna Kurbanova and Evgenia Finkelshtein. Nika is from Irkutsk and is coached by the USSR and Russia Honored Coach Olga Buyanova. Eva and Sofia live and train at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, where their coaches are Evgeniya Eliseeva and Olga Minigalina. Elena Egorova is Eva's choreographer, and Ekaterina Belova is Sofia's.

e0e742bedc63992e448692.png

5b5d69e11ab2769035e9a4.png

Аssociation

Maria Dmitrieva, Nika Reznik, Eva Kononova, and Sofia Vorobyova participated in the competition under the Sky Grace quota.

Four athletes have earned the opportunity to compete at the Russian Cup under the International Association quota

Eva Kononova from the Tyumen region won the silver medal of the Cup of Russia. The gymnast prepared for the competition at the Academy under the guidance of coaches Evgeniya Eliseeva and Olga Minigalina and choreographer Elena Egorova.Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg became the winner of the tournament, Ekaterina Sazonova from Moscow won the bronze.

9d31ab27e74ab8242f1ed4.png

2bac3255b4e8e29c664f62.png

The gymnast prepared for the competition at the Academy under the guidance of coaches Evgeniya Eliseeva and Olga Minigalina and choreographer Elena Egorova.

Eva Kononova won the silver medal of the Cup of Russia

Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg became the Russian Cup champion in Kazan. Her coach Irina Gusarova and choreographer is Elena Egorova.Another Academy gymnast, Eva Kononova from the Tyumen region, took second place, and Ekaterina Sazonova from Moscow took third.

ef99ae6cabc197cb46087c.png

dbc570b5d010163587013d.png

Her coach Irina Gusarova and choreographer is Elena Egorova.

Mariia Borisova became the Russian Cup champion

Milena Shchenyatskaya is&nbsp;the winner of the finals of the Cup of the Strongest in 2023, the prizewinner of the Crystal Rose and the Grand Prix Star Ripple Cup international competitions, and the 6th Summer Spartakiad of Russian Youth. The bronze medalist of the all-Russian Sky Grace Cup competition and the participant in the Sky Grace Cup international tournament in 2023 and 2025.How to properly prepare yourself before going on the floor and react to setbacks during your performance? The gymnast tells about this in the cards:<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/2af/84f/2af84f6912518c7101235e3985274c92.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/1d0/680/1d068059d9644048a6c311780b1268af.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/f13/aa4/f13aa4b6a3181f768595783a843359bb.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/6be/10b/6be10b208589213f251275f9c1ebb558.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/b72/18b/b7218b696c5c29e991dcfddadc1afe6f.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/9ea/a19/9eaa1971674c14c63ee569ce14628830.jpg"></figure>