“I need these competitions” - Cuban Gretel Mendoza from the EVGENIYA CUP tournament

Cuban gymnast Gretel Mendoza said she did not expect to receive an invitation to the EVGENIYA CUP, the Evgenia Kanaeva tournament in Omsk.

“Of course, it was a surprise for me! I didn't know anything about it. Right after I performed at the World Cup in Baku, the coach said that we were going to Omsk for another competition. At first I was shocked! But I know that I need these competitions, they are helpful to me, so of course I went.”

Gretel also shared her impressions of the meeting with the Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva at the tournament. “Alina Kabaeva said that I look great! She came up to support me. She said that everything is fine, that there is no need to worry, and that the main thing is that I am already here, and now I need to think about what lies ahead,” she said.

Gymnasts from Cuba have been training at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy since February. “The training has been very productive, and very demanding. The preparation in Sochi helped me both at the World Cup and at these competitions. I know that this will help me in the tournaments that will be ahead,” said the first number of the Cuban national team.