Academy student Karolina Tarasova talks about her preparation for the Russian Championship

At the Russian Championship, Karolina Tarasova took fourth place in the all-around in the Candidate Master of Sports program. The gymnast prepared for the start under the guidance of coach Evgeniya Eliseeva.

​After the tournament, the athlete shared her impressions of participation.

"I have very good impressions. I am really happy that I competed with such strong girls. This is the first major event for me, save for Qatar. This is a huge accomplishment for me — to enter the main squad of the Russian national team. It means that I have become one step higher, better. That I need to continue progressing. This is only the beginning and there is a need to work even more and more," Karolina said.

Karolina also spoke about preparations for the start in Kazan.

"We had workouts with judges everyday. We made three clean run-throughs each with every type. We had a plan: four types with three clean performances in each in the morning and four types with three clean run-throughs in each in the evening. And so it was for the whole week plus choreography," she said.

The gymnast noted the support of Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva.

"She accompanied us on the first day, the second day and in the finals, prompted us where and what to do. We were anxious and she told us important words that helped and supported us. We had assessment training sessions with her. I am very happy that I am working with her and with Evgeniya Eliseeva," the gymnast said.