"I am very pleased with Miroslava." Coach Lyubov Popova talks the Academy students performance in Ulyanovsk

Lyubov Popova, 2005 World Champion in group exercises and coach, summed up the results of the Young Graces tournament in Ulyanovsk and assessed the performance of Academy student Miroslava Monina from Penza.

"The tournament went well. The organization is great. The girls all presented themselves with dignity. I am very pleased with Miroslava, she has made a big leap, so to speak, from the previous year," Lyubov said.

She also thanked Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva and the Academy coaches.

"I want to say a huge thank you to Sky Grace and Alina Kabaeva. And directly to Irina Dzyuba. And to the choreographers, because the work is visible. And in general, thank you very much for such a range of opportunities, which are necessary for promising children and coaches who come there to study, study and study once again," the coach said.

She noted that after training at the Academy, Miroslava Monina’s performance has had obvious progress.

"This is immediately visible - the level, class of work, transitions.  She's a completely different kid. The atmosphere, other people, the best girls selected, with physical abilities. They are already imbued with the spirit, so to speak, and this gives a push forward. Plus self-confidence. A huge amount of work by a psychologist, which is important," she said.

The Young Graces tournament was held in Ulyanovsk, and an based on her performance Miroslava Monina received the right to represent the Dynamo athletic society team in the Young Gymnasts competition.