"This is an opportunity to showcase yourself to the world!" Juniors of the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnatics Clubs Association team talk about the BRICS Games

The juniors who will represent the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnatics Clubs Association at the BRICS Games in Kazan include Karolina Tarasova from Donetsk, Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina, Kristina Voitenko from Novosibirsk and Asel Arapova from Kyrgyzstan.

Ahead of the competition, the gymnasts told us about their mood, how they work on overcoming anxiety and their goals.

Karolina Tarasova pointed out that this is her first competition of this magnitude.

"It’s a great honor for me, and I am very glad that I am one of those who will participate in the BRICS Games. I am glad that I qualified to be there and it seems to me that this will be a very large-scale and important competition, where there is a need to show a good result. To work in the all-around on cleanliness, on choreography, to go out and do everything cleanly without any mistakes .I’m a little worried, because this is the first competition where I will participate in, that’s so large-scale, and I’m excited. I’m in a fighting spirit to do everything to the maximum," Karolina said.

Ksenia Savinova emphasized that she will try to perform well so as not to let the International Association team down.

"This is a big responsibility, because exactly you were selected, and you need to try very hard to perform well and not let the team down. I actually can’t believe that I’m competing at these competitions. We are working on all types but with the focus on the fouette, because the more you spin, the more points you get. I’m ready for a fight. The goal is to perform well, without losses and not let the team down," Ksenia said.

For Kristina Voitenko, this is also her first large-scale tournament. The gymnast talked about how she prepared for the tournament and noted the benefits of training with the Academy psychologist.

"We are now working on run-throughs, on cleanliness, so that everything is clean and accurate. This is my first large-scale tournament.  Of course, there is a little excitement. But Irina Kozyr and I are working on it so that it won’t be scary. I just need to be well-prepared. The goal, of course, is to show the best result. To bring a medal to the Academy," Kristina said.

Asel Arapova also spoke about what participating in the BRICS Games means to her.

"These are new opportunities for me, a great experience, to showcase myself, to demonstrate myself to the world, so that more people recognize me, more judges recognize me. We are working now with the object, how to get credit for everything, and on emotions. Alina Kabaeva told me at the assessment training session to perform with a new ball, a new exercise," Asel said.

Rhythmic gymnastics competitions at the BRICS Games, where the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association team will perform, will be held in Kazan from June 20 to 22.