"We are in awe of everything around us." India's top gymnasts train at Sky Grace

The strongest gymnasts from India and Cuba are training at the Sky Grace Academy of Rhythmic Gymnastics. These Russian training camps are a unique opportunity for them to learn from the experience of athletes, who they’ve been looking up to.

During the sessions, foreign gymnasts train alongside Russian gymnasts, while they are led by Russia’s Honored Coaches Tatiana Sergaeva and Marina Govorova.

“We have high-class specialists and a lot of champions. For girls who come from other countries, this is not only an incentive, but also an education. For example, gymnasts from India. They, of course, have learned a lot here,” said Marina Govorova.

And if that wasn’t enough, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva has personally been taking part in working with guests. “I remember when I was still little, I came to Moscow in 1995, and already Marina [Govorova] was the head coach of the youth team, and Tanechka [Sergaeva] then was the head coach of the group. I looked at them and thought: "My God, what wonderful coaches." And Tatiana’s mother Natalya prepared me for the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Now you are here, together with me, helping to teach a master class. I am very happy,” Kabaeva said.

Five representatives from India arrived in Sochi, they are preparing for the Asian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships and the World Junior Championships, fine-tuning and intensifying their programs. Muskran Rana, an athlete from India, said that the Sky Grace Academy has made an incredible impression on her.

“Before I came here, my training program was weak. The Russian coaches and choreographers made up a new program for me. It is beautiful, although very difficult. The coaches are always with us. I am delighted with the living conditions and everything that surrounds me here,” said Rana.

The strongest Indian gymnast Life Adlakha also came to the Academy. She’s been to Russia before and even took park in the Sky Grace tournament in 2022, where she placed 18th in the qualifications.

Interestingly, the Indian gymnast considers Alina Kabaeva to be her first coach. According to the athlete, her love for gymnastics began with watching the Olympic Champion on the Internet. “She is incredible, a fantastically flexible gymnast. That element of hers, when she throws her leg over her chin, shocked me. Watching her is always an insane pleasure,” Adlakha said.

In addition to an intense training program as part of the camp, the gymnasts also got the opportunity for recreation and entertainment. Each team arriving at the Academy, was privy to an excursion to Krasnaya Polyana. And the Indian athletes saw snow for the first time in Sochi.

Alina Kabaeva's Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy opened in December 2022 on the Sirius federal territory. Gymnasts from different Russian regions, as well as other countries, get the opportunity to participate in gymnastics training camps and learn from the experience of real athletic stars.