"We had enough time to appreciate each gymnast." Marina Specht about the Bright Star tournament

International judge, Academy coach Marina Specht spoke about her work at the international Shining Star tournament in Tashkent.

She shared her impressions of the participants’ performances and explained the significance of competitions like this.

"We really liked how  we were greeted. We are very grateful to the organizers, who are so meticulous about our arrival, help with everything.  The most valuable thing about these competitions is that not many gymnasts are competing. You have time to carefully track and examine each one. We managed to appreciate each gymnast," Marina said.

She noted that even when performing at the tournament according to international rules, the Academy students did not completely switch from the Sky Grace rules.

"Our girls have not yet switched to the FIG rules, they mostly choose elements that have a higher value according to the Sky Grace rules. When we created the story with the Sky Grace rules, it turned out that we focused specifically on the uniqueness of the gymnasts, on their complexity, on their ability to do elements that are technically complex in the body, elements with the apparatus. Children, performing according to international rules, do simpler elements, and almost everyone does the same elements. But it’s precisely the Sky Grace rules that give you the opportunity to create. Those who can spin, spin and those who can do the stands, they stand, and the one who can jump or take risks, takes risks.  And this is probably more interesting and more of a spectacle," she said.

At the Shining Star competition in Tashkent, the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy was represented by Karolina Tarasova from Donetsk, Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina and Valeria Medvedeva from Novosibirsk.