Alexandra Udodova from Kyrgyzstan and Maria Razorenova from Tajikistan are preparing at the Academy for the Sky Grace Cup International Tournament and Beijing Top Open 2025.Alexandra described the training process and what changes she and her coach have already made to their programs:<blockquote>"I feel right at home here. I really like it here, the hall is fantastic, the conditions are fantastic. It's a pleasure to train and live here. My coach and I have just added some new, interesting elements. Well, basically, all the events have been made more difficult for me now because this tournament follows the Sky Grace International Association rules, where you can try completely different elements. The elements they've added for me now are two in the ring, the throw-over, and the rope, which are also done according to these rules. I've never done anything like this in my life. To be honest, I've never performed with a rope. And it's really interesting to try myself under these rules. Overall, I'm not particularly anxious. Just a sense of anticipation. First of all, thank you to the Sky Grace International Association, which organizes competitions at this level and invites gymnasts from all over the world. Thanks to my parents and thanks to my coach, who always supports me."</blockquote>Maria also shared her impressions of the classes and details of her preparation at the AcademyЖ<blockquote>"This is my first time at the Academy. The working conditions here are simply excellent, the venues are comfortable. This is my first tournament of this scale, so I'm a little nervous. But my coach and I are trying to cope with it. Work calmly and not forget to rest, too. They made my program a little more challenging, mostly the risks. Thanks to Alina Maratovna for inviting me to train, first and foremost, in a hall like this and to compete at the Sky Grace Cup International Tournament and Beijing Top Open 2025 in Beijing. And thanks to my coach for the preparation and my parents for their support."</blockquote>The Sky Grace Cup International Tournament and Beijing Top Open 2025 will be held in Beijing from November 12 to 14.

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Opinion

Alexandra described the training process and what changes she and her coach have already made to their programs.

Alexandra Udodova and Maria Razorenova talk about their training at the Academy ahead of the competition in Beijing

The European Gymnastics Congress voted for reinstatement of Russian athletes for competitions under the auspices of the organization, the <a href="https://sportgymrus.ru/news/10092-rossijskim-gimnastam-otkryt-put-k-evropejskim-startam-i-olimpijskomu-otboru.html">website</a> of the Russian Gymnastics Federation reports.The admission covers five sports: artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, sports acrobatics, and sports aerobics.&nbsp;For athletes in artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, this opens access to qualification tournaments for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

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Competitions

Russian athletes admitted to European competitions

The Russian judo team will compete under the national flag at an international contest for the first time after a long period.&nbsp;The first tournament will be the Grand Slam that will take place in Abu Dhabi from November 28 to 30. If our athlete wins, the national anthem of Russia will be played at the arena.The official statement of the International Judo Federation can be read <a href="https://www.ijf.org/news/show/sport-the-last-bridge-for-reconciliation-and-peace">here</a>.

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MA Academy

The first start in this status will take place from November 28 to 30.

The Russian judo team will compete under the national flag at an international contest for the first time after a long period

Our gymnasts will take part in the Hopes of Russia national competition.The tournament will be held in Yekaterinburg on November 29 and 30. Alesya Naifonova of Vladikavkaz, Elina Khabirova of Kazan, Karolina Pakhtusova of St. Petersburg, Yana Zaikina of Volgograd, Miroslava Monina of Penza, Elizaveta Geraskina and Yana Sakovich of Moscow will perform there.

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The tournament will be held in Yekaterinburg on November 29 and 30.

Our gymnasts will take part in the Hopes of Russia national competition

Honored Coach of the RSFSR. Founder of the Kazan school of rhythmic gymnastics. Honored figure of physical culture and sports of the Republic of Tatarstan.Inga Ryndovskaya was born on October 20, 1932 in the city of Yerevan. Her father, Valery Ryndovsky, was sent there on a long-term assignment. But Kazan became her hometown.&nbsp;Her childhood passed in the Central District, which was called "Akademichka" [Academician in English] because of the large number of teachers in educational establishments and intellectuals living there.Little Inga grew up to be an active child. The daughter of Inga Ryndovskaya, Maria, recalls,<blockquote>"I was told that once, when she was still a child, my mom climbed to the very top of a pole, which was usually used for the celebrations of the Tatar summer festival Sabantui. By the way, it was usually men with athletic training background who climbed it."</blockquote>Inga’s childhood fell on the war years, when all schoolchildren tried to help the elderly — they took care of the wounded in hospitals and organized amateur performances.&nbsp;Despite the hardships of the time, Irina, the Inga Ryndovskaya's mother, tried to instill an artistic taste in her daughters. Inga and her younger sister Alla were always neatly dressed, engaged in dancing, ballet, and rhythmic studies — everything that helps develop expressiveness of movements and grace.After school, in 1951, Inga entered the Kiev State Institute of Physical Culture. Student connections, friendship, support, communication and meetings at competitions accompanied her throughout her life. It was during these years that Ryndovskaya first thought about rhythmic gymnastics. The catalyst for such thoughts was attending the demonstration performances of Lyubov Denisova — the first absolute champion of the USSR.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/cc2/d2d/cc2d2d8db2abbccf3e22806bd41c805c.jpg"><figcaption>Photo courtesy of Maria Ryndovskaya</figcaption></figure>After graduating from the institute in 1955, Inga returned to Kazan and began training in the fencing section with the Honored Coach of the RSFSR, Yuliy Vashsha. The girl got to a completely unique and talented teacher, an athlete, a person gifted in many areas, including playing stringed and wind instruments. Yuliy Vashsha was not only the coach of the Tatarstan fencing team, but also stood at the origins of the swimming, water polo, and chess schools. For five years, Inga trained hard, participated in competitions as part of the team, and won prizes. In 1959, she became the champion of the Tatarstan.<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/825/dad/825dad3aff881b4e8208fbabe75f1254.jpg"><figcaption>Photo courtesy of Maria Ryndovskaya</figcaption></figure>Later, she got a job at the Kazan Construction Institute in the department of physical education and simultaneously opened a specialized club for rhythmic gymnastics.Working as a teacher, Inga was practicing herself and prepared students in the sports specialized club. As a member of the Tatarstan team, Ryndovskaya represented the institute and the Burevestnik athletic society at competitions in swimming, chess, and fencing.&nbsp;Inga’s daughter, Maria, notes,<blockquote>"Mom was a very multifaceted person. She wrote poetry, cooked excellently, sewed skillfully, painted, and loved to play analytical games. Everything she did was ‘excellent with a plus,’ she skied, ran, cooked — everything was always beautiful and delicious, and the table setting could serve as an ornament to any European restaurant. She swam excellently. By the way, it's worth mentioning the case when she, a young girl, swam across the Volga as a bet. Mom was a person who was constantly moving forward.’</blockquote>In 1978, Inga Ryndovskaya became the founder and first principal of the Children and Youth Sports School No. 11 for rhythmic gymnastics under the city education department, which was renamed into the Gratsiya Children and Youth Sports School in 2008.<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/dd1/426/dd1426503871faf761b250de3583b96a.jpg"><figcaption>Photo courtesy of Maria Ryndovskaya</figcaption></figure>Before the decisive tournaments, the athletes received a blessing and guidance from Inga Ryndovskaya. She was always there and could solve any issue - from complex organizational ones to everyday and family issues. The life principle of the mentor of Kazan gymnasts was as follows:&nbsp;<blockquote>"When your strength runs out and you feel like you are about to fall, you just need to pull yourself together and increase your speed!"</blockquote>Elmira Musina, a student of Inga Ryndovskaya, shared a memory of her coach,<blockquote>"Not far from Kazan, 38 km from the city downtown, there is the Raifsky Monastery, which is currently one of the most attractive sights of Tatarstan. Beautiful nature, picturesque lake, ancient architecture. In the 70s of the last century, there was a juvenile detention center in the monastery. Inga was asked to bring gymnasts to perform at a gala concert. It was winter, snow was already everywhere, and they had to get there by bus.&nbsp;Inga Ryndovskaya asked to bring skis with them. The performance took place to the accompaniment of a piano, the audience was satisfied, they welcomed them warmly and applauded for a long time. After the performance, all the participants of the concert were treated to a delicious lunch. They thanked and said goodbye.</blockquote>And then Inga Ryndovskaya said, ‘Well, now we all put on skis and let's go.’ No one could have guessed that this was not just a run through the forest. Inga Ryndovskaya decided to combine business with pleasure in this way, namely — to get to the training base in Kazan on foot. We returned, of course, tired, but satisfied and proud of ourselves and our coach.”For her achievements in her work, Inga Ryndovskaya received the title of Honored Worker of Physical Culture and Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan.<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/d43/1b3/d431b3510e8129e891df4c9b69256cd2.jpg"><figcaption>Photo courtesy of Maria Ryndovskaya</figcaption></figure>Successful coaches are among trainees of Inga Ryndovskaya — Svetlana Tyurina and Galina Neftalina Together with them, she prepared 11 masters of sports.Gulnara Gataullina, a student of Inga Ryndovskaya, says,&nbsp;<blockquote>"Inga Ryndovskaya instilled love not only for sports, but also for arts, ballet, and dance. For her, not only the technique of performing elements was important. Each exercise was to become a story. When my program with the ribbon for Yarullin's ballad Suyumbike from the Shurale ballet was created, Inga Ryndovskaya took me to the Musa Jalil Opera and Ballet Theater to see the performance, to tell me who Suyumbike was. And so it was with all the exercises. Image and story - the basis of everything.”</blockquote>Inga Ryndovskaya passed away on May 28, 2015.Every year, a tournament in memory of Inga Ryndovskaya — the Swan Cup — is held in Kazan.We would like to thank Maria Ryndovskaya, Gulnara Gataullina, and Elmira Musina for their assistance in creating the material.&nbsp;

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Rhythmic Gymnastics Veterans

Honored Coach of the RSFSR. Founder of the Kazan school of rhythmic gymnastics. Honored figure of physical culture and sports of the Republic of Tatarstan.


"Veterans of Rhythmic Gymnastics:" the founder of the Kazan School, Inga Ryndovskaya

Our gymnasts returned to the Academy after successful performances at the international tournaments Montenegro Wild Beauty Cup in Montenegro and New Look Cup in Georgia.Karolina Pakthusova topped the list in the juniors all-around, the ribbon and the hoop, and also won silver in the ball and bronze in the clubs at the competition in Budva. Furthermore, the judges acknowledged Karolina for the highest score given by the execution panel. Alexandra Borisova and Anna Vakulenko won bronze in the team event.In Tbilisi, Sasha won bronze in the all-around and in the clubs among the seniors. Anya was also sixth in the all-around also and Karolina came in fourth among the juniors.&nbsp;Sasha is coached by Irina Gusarova, Karolina — by Alina and Irina Gusarova, and the choreographer of the gymnasts is Elena Belova. Anya’s coaches are Evgenia Eliseeva and Olga Minigalina, choreographer is Elena Egorova.&nbsp;Our athletes performed at the tournaments under the neutral status.

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Anna Vakulenko, Karolina Pakhtusova and Alexandra Borisova competed in the Wild Beauty Cup in Montenegro and the New Look Cup in Georgia.


After successful performances at international tournaments, our gymnasts returned to the Academy

Karolina Pakhtusova won four medals more at the Montenegro Wild Beauty Cup international tournament.The gymnast topped the list in the ribbon and the hoop and also won silver in the ball and bronze in the clubs.The judges also acknowledged Karolina for the highest score given by the execution panel.Her coaches are Alina and Irina Gusarova, and the choreographer is Elena Belova.The gymnast performed under the neutral status at the tournament in Montenegro.

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On the last day of the tournament, the finals of individual events took place.


Karolina Pakhtusova won four medals more at the Montenegro Wild Beauty Cup international tournament

Vladislava Nikolaenko topped the list in the clubs finals at the Montenegro Wild Beauty Cup International Tournament. Anastasia Vlasenko was second.&nbsp;Ekaterina Sazonova became the champion in the ribbon.Anastasia Vlasenko came in third in the hoop.&nbsp;In the ball finals, Ekaterina Sazonova won silver and Anastasia Vlasenko grabbed bronze.The gymnasts performed under the neutral status in Montenegro.We earlier reported the victory of Karolina Pakhtusova at this tournament, who competed with juniors. Furthermore, Alexandra Borisova and Anna Vakulenko won bronze in the team standings.

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The tournament took place in Montenegro from November 21 to 23.


Senior gymnasts won six medals in individual events at the Montenegro Wild Beauty Cup

Karolina Pakhtusova is the all-around champion of the Montenegro Wild Beauty Cup international tournament among the juniors. Her coaches are Alina and Irina Gusarova, and the choreographer is Elena Belova.The silver medalist is Nur Sadygova from Azerbaijan, and the bronze medalist is Paris Graas from Luxembourg.The winners of the all-around among the seniors have also been determined. The gold medal wens to Anastasia Vlasenko, the silver was with Olivia Maslov&nbsp; from Poland, and Ekaterina Sazonova took bronze. Vladislava Nikolaenko remained just a step away from the podium. Anna Vakulenko is seventh place (her coaches are Evgenia Eliseeva and Olga Minigaliina, and the choreographer is Elena Egorova). Alexandra Borisova is tenth. She trains under the guidance of Irina Gusarova and choreographer Ekaterina Belova.And our senior teams won gold (Anastasia Vlasenko, Vladislava Nikolaenko, Ekaterina Sazonova) and bronze (Anna Vakulenko and Alexandra Borisova) in the team competition.The gymnasts are competing under neutral status.<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/438/2cd/4382cd4afe99c63ffc2b9e431ac11f84.jpg"></figure>

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The tournament takes place in Montenegro from November 21 to 23.

Karolina Pakhtusova is the all-around champion of the Montenegro Wild Beauty Cup international tournament

Three-time Sky Grace Cup champion Lala Kramarenko shared her impressions of the international tournament in Beijing.<blockquote>"This year, I'm the guest of honor. I'm very grateful to Alina Kabaeva for inviting me, not just as an athlete, but also for performing an exhibition routine. The girls all did a fantastic job. I saw the last event, the rope. Ksyusha Savinova did a fantastic job; she handled it flawlessly. There were so many complicated elements: turns, jumps, risks. So, all the girls did a fantastic job. Also, Sonya Ilteriakova. They're all beautiful, smart girls, and, most importantly, I wish them good health."</blockquote>Lala also told about competition plans and new elements she had attempted to perform.<blockquote>"My current plans are to put together a program, exercises, an image,&nbsp; find new elements because the rules have changed, and slowly get back into shape. I hope I'll be able to compete at the Russian Championships. I've tried probably one of the most challenging elements right now, the Raphael turn. I can't say it's particularly difficult because I've already done it. But it will be a bit challenging because it's my right leg and right knee. But if I can do it, we'll definitely add it to the program."</blockquote>

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The three-time champion came to Beijing this time as the guest and the gala show participant.

Lala Kramarenko spoke about the return to sports

Junior Karolina Pakhtusova and seniors Alexandra Borisova and Anna Vakulenko from the Academy will take part in the Montenegro Wild Beauty Cup 2025 international competition.The tournament is being held from November 21 to 23 in Budva, Montenegro. Anastasia Vlasenko, Vladislava Nikolaenko and Ekaterina Sazonova will also perform there.The athletes are taking part in the neutral status.

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The tournament is being held from November 21 to 23 in Budva, Montenegro. Anastasia Vlasenko, Vladislava Nikolaenko and Ekaterina Sazonova will also perform there.
