"This is long-awaited training for the girls!" Coach Sofia Arysheva talks about training at the Academy

Coach Sofia Arysheva trains gymnasts from Novosibirsk at a training camp under the leadership of Maria Shekhovtsova.

She shared what goals the participants of the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy have for themselves.

"The girls came to this training camp after a vacation. That is, this is their first training session. Very long awaited. We’re starting to actively get into shape, starting to create programs," Sofia said.

The coach spoke about the jumping training she conducted for gymnasts.

"We did stepping  - these are preparation exercises at less active speeds. We worked through all the positions from the choreography in a step-by-step fashion, repeating even balance out of different forms. Then we moved on to jumping, to jump up, to give a little activity to the legs and feet so that they got used to the workload. Gradually, starting with small jumps, we moved on to wider jumps," she said.

In addition, Sofia is an International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association judge. In a conversation with us, she highlighted the advantages of the rules.

"The advantage, probably the most important one, is that there are elements that, if compared with the Russian rules or the FIG rules, these elements can be evaluated. That is, it’s great that children who have the physical capabilities and the abilities to do complicated elements like that, can get their points according to their merit," the coach said.

The training camp under the leadership of Maria Shekhovtsova will run until July 18.