Yana Zaikina and Alesya Naifonova share their emotions after the Russian Championship

This Russian Junior Championship in Kazan was Yana Zaikina's last. Starting next season, the gymnast will compete in the senior program.

Yana shared her emotions after the tournament:

"For me, these will be very fond memories, because this is my last championship. And I'm glad I was able to experience such powerful emotions, that I did everything that I could. I really enjoyed the ribbon routine at this event; in the qualifications, I really tried to express the music and do it beautifully. And in the finals, because I really wanted to try so hard, this was my last performance, I went a bit overboard and missed the last risk. That's probably the most emotional experience I got from the ribbon routine. I try to do everything from the heart, as I feel it, and it just flows and turns out beautifully."

She also thanked Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva, her coaches, the Academy team, and choreographer Kirill Barkan, who worked with the athletes at the Academy ahead of the championship:

"I want to say a huge thank you to Evgeniya Mikhailovna for working until late at night and for loving and appreciating us. And for simply being there for us. And, of course, to Alina Maratovna for giving us this opportunity to compete at the Russian Junior Championship. A huge thank you to her for supporting us and loving us. And to all the choreographers who worked with us every day. Kirill Mikhailovich came to see us. A huge thank you to him for working with us this week, and for us going out and performing the elements well. And to the doctors for constantly treating us. And just for being there. Thank you all so much!"

And Alesya Nayfonova highlighted her best routine:

"I did the ribbon exercise cleaner. Alina Maratovna told me that I need to maintain the concentration until the end, always keep an eye on the apparatus, and throw higher. And Alina Ivanovna told me that I need to do everything brilliantly, to push myself, and that everything worked out in practice and should work out here too."

In addition, the gymnast thanked everyone ande xplained why she feels a sense of responsibility competing at a competition like this:

"Thank you all so much for your support, for rooting for me. I felt it; I was very pleased. Thanks to my coaches: Alina Ivanovna, Irina Nikolaevna, and Alina Andreevna, for preparing me. And thank you so much for Alina Maratovna's support and advice, and for the opportunity to compete. My parents also called. And my coach came here as a judge. She was also there to support me, to cheer me on. I was very pleased. There's such a responsibility to become better, so that our girls from Alanya can also watch and follow my example, admire me, and strive to be even better."

At the tournament, Yana won silver in the all-around, hoop and clubs finals, and bronze in the ribbon. Her coaches are Evgeniya Eliseeva and Olga Minigalina. Alesya finished fifth in the all-around and won silver in the ribbon, as well as bronze in the ball and hoop. She is trained by Irina and Alina Gusarov, Alina Protasova, and choreographed by Ekaterina Belova.