Ksenia Savinova analyzes her performance in the all-around at the second stage of the Cup of the Strongest

Russian Junior Championship silver medalist Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina analyzed her performance in the all-around at the second stage of the Cup of the Strongest:

"I didn't do very well with the hoop and clubs. I'll work more on them, my risks, my artistic form, and my elements. A big thank you to Alina Maratovna for coming to these competitions and preparing us. And to Evgeniya Mikhailovna, who helped me out and supported me, and to the judges who told about my mistakes. And to the entire Academy staff."

She noted the support from Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva:

"She told me to go out there and do everything boldly, and to imagine competing at the European Championships, so it would feel more familiar and less scary."

The gymnast told how her coach Evgenia Eliseeva sets her up before the performance:

"It's important that she always kisses and hugs me before I go on. It's as if her strength transfers to me, and I'm less afraid to go out on the carpet."

Ksyusha also told which of the other gymnasts she talked to at this competition:

"Sofia from Argentina and I became friends at the last stage and we hung out a bit here too. It's nice to have friends from different countries; we can just chat. And I'm very good friends with the girls from Belarus, Ksyusha Evdokimova, because we traveled to Tashkent together and we see each other at a lot of competitions."

Ksenia took second place in the all-around and also won gold in the ball and clubs finals. She is a member of the National team's main roster and lives and trains at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.