Kristina Kutlaeva from the Leningrad Region is Russia’s Master of Sports, a coach and teacher of the highest category at the Sosnovy Bor (Leningrad Region) athletic school.Kristina talked about what she expects from the participants of the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association tournaments.<blockquote>"At the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association competitions, I want to see interesting performances, artistry, purity of body and apparatus work, as well as incredible artistry by the gymnasts."&nbsp;</blockquote>

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Our judges

The new focus of the Our Judges section is a specialist from the Leningrad Region.

Our Judges. Kristina Kutlaeva

Miroslava Monina from Penza, Veronika Solomatina from St. Petersburg, Valeria Gavrina from Krasnoyarsk, Yulia Chuvashova from Irkutsk, and the Academy group dancers will compete at the Russian Junior Championship in Kazan under the Sky Grace International Association quota.The competition will be held in Kazan from March 22 to April 1.

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Аssociation

According to the quota, four gymnasts will take part in the tournament, as well as the Academy group gymnasts.

Gymnasts will perform at the Russian Сhampionship according to the Sky Grace International Association quota

Arina Kovshova shared her impressions of her performance at the SKA Arena:<blockquote>"It was a very large-scale hall, it was big, there were a lot of spectators, everyone was supportive. Thank you very much to everyone. There were a lot of participants, the competition was huge, and I tried to present myself well and perform well."</blockquote>The Russian champion noted which exercise she liked the most:<blockquote>"For me, it's probably the ball that I like the most. I like performing the ball most. In general, I like the exercise, the whole composition."</blockquote>She also said that she helps her during the competition:<blockquote>"During the competition, the spectators, of course. They were supportive, and that helps me. Thank you very much."</blockquote>And she emphasized that it is important not to stop there:<blockquote>"Not everything worked out during this competition, but I'll keep working and perfecting it. Now, I'll probably clean up the program, add some elements and movements, so everything counts and counts."</blockquote>

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Opinion

After returning from St. Petersburg, Arina Kovshova from the Novosibirsk region shared her impressions of her performance at the Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup.


"I'll keep working". Arina Kovshova sums up the results of the tournament in St. Petersburg

Evelina Tandalova from the Tyumen Region told why she wanted to train at the Academy:<blockquote>"We came here for a training camp in June. I enjoyed training here among the stars. And the coach offered to try."</blockquote>At the Russian Championships, she showed her abilities to Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva:<blockquote>"I did the ball, the hoop there, and showed the elements. I was anxious at first, but then I realized that there was nothing to worry about. And everything was already fine."</blockquote>Evelina remembered how she performed at the Sky Grace Cup International Tournament and Beijing Top Open 2025:<blockquote>"I really enjoyed performing there. True, it was a little scary, because such a large arena was there, plenty of spectators, but I liked it."</blockquote>She also talked about the goals she set for herself after moving to the Academy:<blockquote>"The goal is probably to achieve stability, high results. To see how everyone trains here, to gain a lot of experience from them. I like to practice here, it's so airy, there are not so many people."</blockquote>And she shared her impressions of working with Evgenia Eliseeva:<blockquote>"She is kind, cheerful, always positive. I love working with her!"</blockquote>Evelina thanked everyone who helped her take this step:<blockquote>"I want to thank the Gymnastics Center, where I trained, for giving me the opportunity to come here and try. To my coaches — Irina Alekseevna and Olga Pavlovna. And thanks to Alina Maratovna for watching me. Thanks also to Evgenia Mikhailovna for working with me, and thanks to the choreographer too!"</blockquote>

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The gymnast told about her first impressions of the classes and why she dreamed of getting here.

Evelina Tandalova shares her impressions after moving to the Academy

Together with the choreographer of the Russian national team Kirill Barkan, the junior girls worked on elements in the five-ball program.

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Workouts

Kirill Barkan, the choreographer of the Russian national team, conducted a lesson for the Academy group gymnasts.

A training session with the choreographer of the Russian national team Kirill Barkan took place at the Academy

The Academy gymnasts will take part in the main national rhythmic gymnastics tournament of the season for our juniors — the Russian Junior Championship.Ksenia Savinova, Yana Zaikina, Elizaveta Geraskina, Karolina Pakhtusova, Miroslava Monina, and Alesya Naifonova will perform in the individual routine. Anna Gryaznova, Kira Pryn, Alisa Kirpicheva, Alexandra Ponomareva, Elizaveta Malashenko, and Vladislava Gaivoronskaya will compete in the group routine.It will be held in Kazan March 22 through April 1.

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Competitions

It will be held in Kazan March 22 through April 1.

The Academy juniors will take part in the Russian Junior Championship

Isabella Rojas came from Cuba to compete at the international Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup tournament in St. Petersburg.Гимнастка рассказала об опыте, который приобрела, и поблагодарила олимпийскую чемпионку Алину Кабаеву за приглашение:<blockquote>"I'm not entirely happy with my performance, but I always try to encourage myself. I'm glad to be here and grateful for this chance. I hope I can do better next time. I'm happy I have this opportunity. The competitions organized by Alina Kabaeva are always simply incredible. I really love the atmosphere, the participants, and the staff. I'm happy to be here. Everything is wonderful! Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who helped me along the way, and most of all, Alina Kabaeva, who invited me to training camps and tournaments and helped me improve my level. I'm very grateful for that and for the invitation to these competitions."</blockquote>Last year, Isabella attended an Academy training camp.

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The gymnast shared her experience and thanked Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva for the invitation.

"I'm happy to be here and grateful for this opportunity". Isabella Rojas talks about participation in the Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup

Laura Acosta from Mexico served on the judging panel of the Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup.She explained how the tournament was interesting to her as a specialist:<blockquote>"First of all, many thanks to Alina Kabaeva. This is my first time working at the Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup, and it's very interesting because other countries are participating, and the scores are determined according to the rules of the International Gymnastics Federation, this is very interesting."</blockquote>She also shared which gymnasts she liked the most:<blockquote>"Of course, I have my favorites. These are Mariia Borisova and Eva Kononova. And now I'm really interested in Arina Kovshova. Because they stand out. I was intrigued by the artistic quality of their performances, as well as their expressiveness. For example, Arina's apparatus technique is a bit different from all the other gymnasts. Mariia is incredibly expressive and has excellent technique. And, of course, Eva is a wonderful gymnast, still young, but with a bright future."</blockquote>The international tournament was held in St. Petersburg from March 13 to March 15.

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The specialist told how the tournament was interesting to her as a specialist and which gymnasts she liked the most.

"I was intrigued by the artistic component of their performances!" Judge Laura Acosta talks about the participants of the Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup

Eva Kononova from the Tyumen Region won four medals at the Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup, three of which are gold ones. Her coach Evgenia Eliseeva spoke about the preparation for the tournament and the help of Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva:<blockquote>"We just wanted to perform, show what we're capable of, create a high-quality program, and, of course, make Alina Maratovna happy. She spent a lot of time with us, even coming to Novogorsk. We worked a lot, we redid the routine with the ball because it wasn't quite comfortable for Eva. This time it turned out much better; the music simply carried her. That's what we wanted! We want her to simply perform, to feel like she's in charge of the court."</blockquote>The specialist also noted the support of the fans and noted Eva's strengths:<blockquote>"The children love her very much; it's truly so precious and valuable! We're so grateful to them for such support, because she truly carries Eva, carries her to perform, carries her to show her best. And it's as if, you know, this child knows no limit to perfection! And it's clear she still has a lot of potential, which is why it's so exciting to work with her. I'm so grateful to her for this start, because she, Alina Maratovna, and I all had a lot of positive experiences. I think she's one of those gymnasts who truly puts her heart and soul into her work on the floor. And that's her defining characteristic."</blockquote>Евгения Михайловна поблагодарила всех, кто помогал в подготовке:<blockquote>"I want to thank our dear judges from the Academy. This is truly a great team effort! Our director, Ekaterina Konstantinovna, is incredibly supportive. And of course, Alina Maratovna is always available, always there for us. She helps us a lot. he routines, the leotards, every detail of the routine, we do everything together, and it's truly incredible! And I'm so happy it brings such results."</blockquote>

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Eva Kononova from the Tyumen Region won four medals at the Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup, three of which are gold ones.

"She really puts her heart into her work on the floor". Evgenia Eliseeva talks about Eva Kononova's performance at the tournament in St. Petersburg

Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg, the champion of the&nbsp;Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup in the clubs, shared her impressions of competing in her hometown:<blockquote>"It was a pleasure performing from the very first entrance. The audience was very loud, shouting and supporting, there were lots of posters, lots of kids, and it was doubly enjoyable in my hometown. Despite the final result in the all-around, I still enjoyed the performances."</blockquote>The gymnast also told us what her favorite part of the golden exercise is with clubs:<blockquote>"Yes, I think I really like the whole routine. Among the elements, I like the Raffaelli turn, which we only started adding to the routine this year. In general, I like to do the second dance sequence throughout the routine, and there I feel like I'm inviting the audience to dance with me, so everyone gets that drive from the routine and positive emotions."</blockquote>Masha noted the support of Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva and coach Irina Gusarova:<blockquote>"Irina Nikolaevna and Alina Maratovna were very supportive. Alina Maratovna told me to focus, to do everything to the end, to be attentive, to relax only after the performance, and, no matter what happens, to be a fighter and do it to the end."</blockquote>The athlete shared her plans after the tournament:<blockquote>"I'll fly to Moscow, to Novogorsk, we'll maybe fix a few things the judges point out, if there were any. And then, with peace of mind, we'll fly off to conquer the world! Okay, maybe not conquer it, but we'll try to do everything possible to conquer it."</blockquote>From March 19 to 22, Masha will compete in the Grand Prix event in Marbella.

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Masha became a champion in the exercise with clubs.

"I enjoyed performing". Mariia Borisova talks about the Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup

Katty Araujo arrived at the event in St. Petersburg along with Jimena Domínguez and Luciana Caraballo. The specialist explained why participation in the Alina Kabaeva Grand Prix Champions Cup international tournament is valuable for gymnasts and coaches from other countries:<blockquote>"First of all, we are here owing to the invitation received from the Russian side. It is an opportunity for us to conduct preparations, continue training and increase our level on the verge of the next competitions. The Panamerican Games is one of the nearest such tournaments. For us, to be here is the opportunity to get new knowledge, to progress day after day. We are very happy to participate in this tournament together with the gymnasts of the highest international level from Russia and Belarus. It is incredible. I am so grateful for this opportunity. We will try to take advantage of the chance presented to us."</blockquote>The specialist also noted the strengths of gymnasts from Venezuela:<blockquote>"In the first instance, I would like to underscore stubbornness of gymnasts from Venezuela, their passion, with which they are dedicated to this sport, rhythmic gymnastics. We endeavor to maximize the use of physique of our gymnasts and work proficiently every day."</blockquote>

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The specialist arrived at the event in St. Petersburg along with Jimena Domínguez and Luciana Caraballo.