Irina Kostryuchenko from Krasnodar is Russia’s Master of Sports, coach teacher of the highest category at the State Budgetary Institution of Additional Education of the Krasnodar Territory Sports School of the Olympic Reserve in Rhythmic Gymnastics.The specialist noted the convenience of judging at the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association competitions.<blockquote>"The latest technologies help in judging the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association tournaments. We tested in action the system of assigning scores using a computer program. We assigned points on the monitor while the gymnast was working on the floor. Clear and convenient."</blockquote>

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Our judges

The specialist from Krasnodar is the next character in the Our Judges column.

Our Judges. Irina Kostyuchenko

Milena Shchenyatskaya won bronze in the all-around, as well as in the hoop, ball, and clubs events at the Crystal Rose international tournament.The athlete evaluated her performance:<blockquote>"Overall, I am satisfied with my performances, but we will continue to work hard, improve, and make our programs more difficult."</blockquote>Milena also noted that she is interested in competing with gymnasts from Belarus:<blockquote>"It's very interesting to compete. In the mornings, I came to the hall and watch every day how the girls work; I am amazed at how their work with apparatus is cool. This is what we should strive for."</blockquote>She also revealed the secret of her courage when performing risky elements:<blockquote>"Ever since I was a child, as soon as Antonina Kuznetsova took me for training, we gradually learned something difficult together. This is very long and painstaking work. As for courage, the audience energizes me; I enjoy surprising the audience."</blockquote>Milena also said that she would like to participate in tournaments of the Sky Grace International Clubs Association in the new season:<blockquote>"Of course, God willing. I always enjoy coming to these competitions."</blockquote>

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Opinion

Milena Shchenyatskaya showed the best result among Russian gymnasts among seniors at the Crystal Rose tournament.

Milena Shchenyatskaya shares her impressions of the Crystal Rose international tournament

Kiki XuJing, the organizer of the Brilliant Cup 2025 tournament, shared the details of the competition in Shanghai:<blockquote>"This year we are holding the tournament for the ninth time. Next year the event will celebrate its anniversary, its tenth season. These competitions saw a record number of participants in the entire history of the tournament. Over 600 athletes from more than 50 clubs took part in the competition. The participants included representatives of the Russian Sky Grace Academy, as well as athletes from Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand."&nbsp;</blockquote>The specialist also told why they wanted so much to see our gymnasts at the tournament:<blockquote>"We invited the Sky Grace team because the Russian school of rhythmic gymnastics is recognized as the strongest in the world. We sincerely strive to ensure that young Chinese gymnasts can watch world-class athletes performing and learn from their experience directly in China. We believe that the skills of such a class are of the great educational value."</blockquote>

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Kiki XuJing was the organizer of the competition in Shanghai.

"The Russian school of rhythmic gymnastics is recognized as the strongest in the world!" Kiki XuJing speaks about the participation of Sky Grace gymnasts at the Brilliant Cup 2025

Alina Harnasko won the all-around and all individual finals at the Crystal Rose tournament and became the absolute champion of the competition in Minsk.&nbsp;The gymnast shared what the Crystal Rose tournament means to her:<blockquote>"It is hard to imagine for me what the time already is for my performances at the Crystal Rose tournament. This is the memory for me, it is the tournament where I was growing, where I was improving, and where I so nicely keep the level over the years. I am very pleased that the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy highlights our tournament as the first one, the most memorable, such international one. It is friendly indeed; everybody talks about that."</blockquote>She also talked about the new ribbon program:<blockquote>"I nicely ended the fourth event in the program with the ribbon. I have revamped my leotard before this competition: I have created such back where I have the fire, where I have the flame and the entire design of my exercise. So lyrically and so beautifully, and very memorable for me."</blockquote>The athlete also named her main motivation:<blockquote>"The big passion for my work is probably the greatest motivation. This is what drives me, this is what holds me here, for what I am here."</blockquote>

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The gymnast became the absolute champion of the Crystal Rose tournament.

"Motivation is a great love for what you do!" Alina Harnasko speaks about her victory at the Crystal Rose

Malaysian national team gymnast Cassidy Tan Jia Xin became the champion of the Brilliant Cup 2025 tournament. She competed with Elizaveta Geraskina from Moscow and Miroslava Monina from Penza at the contest in Shanghai.The athlete shared her impression of the rivals from the Sky Grace.<blockquote>"I know that they are a very famous and good club in Russia and the gymnasts are really impressive and their routines are amazing. I feel grateful that I get to compete on the same carpet as the gymnasts from Sky Grace because I feel like this is a good experience."&nbsp;</blockquote>

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The Brilliant Cup 2025 champion competed in Shanghai with Elizaveta Geraskina from Moscow and Miroslava Monina from Penza.

Cassidy Tan Jia Xin from Malaysia spoke about her impressions of the performances by the Sky Grace gymnasts

Daria Verenich is a bronze medalist of the BRICS Games in the team competition and the second stage of the Cup of the Strongest, silver medalist of the Sky Grace Grand Prix 2024 and participant of the Sky Grace Cup international tournament in 2023 and 2024.What helps her win competitions? We have gathered advice from the gymnast in the cards:<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/388/a32/388a32529a301c9112512a1857af13d3.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/aec/aa1/aecaa17db298c7acbab5ce44aa9b4fe6.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/132/55f/13255f06b3b8148eb747f745551cf2cd.jpg"></figure>

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Small steps to big victories

We have gathered advice from the BRICS Games bronze medalist in the cards.

Small steps to big victories. Daria Verenich

Anastasia Salos won silver in the all-around at the Crystal Rose international tournament in Minsk and shared her impressions of the competition:<blockquote>"For me, this is a festival that takes place in my home place, in my home hall. And this is a significant tournament for me; every year we look forward to it particularly and always dream of performing there."</blockquote>The athlete also spoke about graduating from university and her future plans:<blockquote>"This year I graduated from university and passed the state exams with excellence. I am going to go back to university for a second higher education. I won't tell you which one yet, but I hope that I will enroll and that everything will work out. I think that I will definitely never quit gymnastics; you can always become a coach. And you also need to try something new. But I think I might be able to be a coach. Of course, I don't know how to speak loudly yet; it's difficult for me. But I'm well aware of how to explain things to children and how to guide them in the right direction. And, of course, I would like to pass on some of the experience I've gained over the years to the future generation."</blockquote>

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The gymnast won a silver medal in the all-around at the Crystal Rose international tournament.

"I want to pass on my experience to the future generation." Anastasia Salos talks about life outside of sports

Huang Haitao, the General Manager of Shanghai Baiyu Sports Development company that organized the competition, told about the tournament in Shanghai:<blockquote>"These rhythmic gymnastics competitions are traditionally held in the last week of July each year. The event is held annually. This year is the ninth tournament in a row. More than 50 clubs and over 600 athletes participated in this tournament."</blockquote>He also noted the Sky Grace gymnasts' level:&nbsp;<blockquote>"The Sky Grace athletes are one of the strongest. Their level is very high. That's why this year we decided to invite Sky Grace athletes to participate in our competitions. We hope that by attracting high-level athletes, we can also raise the level of our entire event. Through this tournament, we hope to establish strong ties with Sky Grace. In the future, if the opportunity presents itself, we hope to cooperate in the field of athletes' training and exchange of experience between coaches. To be able to learn from Sky Grace about their new training methods."</blockquote>The competition in Shanghai was held from July 24 to July 27.

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He also noted the Sky Grace gymnasts' level.

Huang Haitao, General Manager of the organizing company of the Brilliant Cup 2025 tournament, talks about the competition

Chief judge of the Brilliant Cup 2025 competition Liu Wen told how the Sky Grace gymnasts performed at the tournament in Shanghai:<blockquote>"I believe that inviting the Sky Grace to this tournament was an excellent decision. They demonstrated outstanding skills in both artistry and technique of execution. In terms of composition, mastery of apparatus and artistic expression, their level is significantly higher than that of Chinese athletes. We are therefore looking forward to their participation in our next competitions, as this is an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences and grow together."</blockquote>The competition in Shanghai was held from 24 to 27 July.

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The competition in Shanghai was held from 24 to 27 July.

How did the Sky Grace gymnasts perform at the Brilliant Cup 2025 tournament in Shanghai? Chief judge of the competition Liu Wen talks about this

Sofia Vorobyova from Moscow presented the Sky Grace team for the first time at the Crystal Rose.&nbsp;The gymnast told how the tournament went for her:<blockquote>"The atmosphere of the competition is very good, I really like it here. The atmosphere is good here. Minsk greeted me with warmth! I have never performed with Alina Harnasko and Anastasia Salos in my life. It is a great honor for me to perform at such competition as well."</blockquote>The athlete also thanked those who helped her in her training:<blockquote>"I really liked the preparation. Many thanks to the coaches that trained me: Evgenia Eliseeva, Olga Minigalina, and Elizaveta Chernova. Many thanks to choreographer Ekaterina Belova. There was a psychologist, thanks so much for setting us up."</blockquote>In addition, the gymnast shared her impressions of the meeting with Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva at the Academy:<blockquote>"I imagined her to be kind, good, and beautiful. Well, when I saw her live, she was indeed kind and very beautiful. I was inspired. She gave me an incentive to work. That is, she watched my programs. I really enjoyed working with her. Thank her very much. Many thanks to Alina Maratovna for the opportunity to come here."</blockquote>The Crystal Rose international tournament was held in Minsk from July 25 to 27.

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At the Crystal Rose, the gymnast from Moscow presented the Sky Grace team for the first time.

"Minsk greeted me with warmth!" Sofia Vorobyova talks about her debut for the Sky Grace team

Lyubov Cherkashina, the chief judge of the Crystal Rose tournament, summarized the competition held in Minsk:<blockquote>"It is very easy for me to sum up the results for the first time in my refereeing career, because this tournament really was a success. I see many happy gymnasts who succeeded, who managed to make the great performance, and this was noted by the judges. And it took place in a very friendly, very beautiful atmosphere. And I always really like that at this tournament that the gymnasts are shown from their best side. They are shown as stars, as it should be in rhythmic gymnastics."&nbsp;</blockquote>She also assessed the level of competition among the athletes:<blockquote>"There was a sports competition with adrenaline, with intensity. The gymnasts were pushing each other, everything was very even. Even if you look at the juniors, they were all on the same page, they had the same scores."</blockquote>The Crystal Rose international tournament was held in Minsk from July 25 to 27.

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The specialist summed up the results and assessed the level of competition.