Alexandra Timoshenko competed in the 1988 Olympic Games and finished third, and won Olympic gold in 1992.At the Sky Grace Cup International Tournament and Beijing Top Open 2025, we asked her to talk about her path in sports and share her key thoughts on doubts, motivation, and responsibility.<div data-component="video" data-props="{&quot;materialId&quot;:7732,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Интервью Тимошенко_англ&quot;,&quot;externalCdnLink&quot;:null,&quot;video&quot;:{&quot;subDir&quot;:&quot;699/876&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;6998761dd4e0b93d018761.mp4&quot;}}"></div>In an exclusive interview:<ul><li>What is so special about rhythmic gymnastics?</li><li>How did rhythmic gymnastics become Alexandra Timoshenko’s life's work?</li><li>"It was the advice of a doctor. And it helped."</li><li>Alexandra Timoshenko’s memories of her early competitions</li><li>Preparing for her first Olympics</li><li>Olympic bronze: tears of joy or sadness?</li><li>"When you follow this path, you understand what’s ahead for you."</li><li>Alexandra Timoshenko’s second Olympics</li><li>Favorite program at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics</li><li>What's the Olympic champion's secret?</li><li>Advice to herself as a child — a look back</li></ul>

bfe3858fd8a1bd0618a409.png

05ad9a26c7d88aeb13c2e9.png

Way to success

Alexandra Timoshenko competed in the 1988 Olympic Games and finished third, and won Olympic gold in 1992. At the Sky Grace Cup International Tournament and Beijing Top Open 2025, we asked her to talk about her path in sports and share her key thoughts on doubts, motivation, and responsibility.


Exclusive interview with Alexandra Timoshenko, 1992 Olympic champion

Training sessions kicked off for preschoolers from free early development groups at the Academy after the New Year holidays.The girls practiced the "fish" and "ring" exercises, as well as general physical training and bench work under the watchful eye of coaches Ekaterina Lots, Elizaveta Chernova, and Elizaveta Zorkina.<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/93c/513/93c513fae290c8b6a7d914297a332d9d.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/743/99d/74399d2db17b8ec561b140563a9f38ed.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/3bc/8dd/3bc8dd2e5e045385303411f6781f7aaa.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/d1b/5f6/d1b5f6dc09019e049ffabe425e013b5a.jpg"></figure>

0f5e49edd567fd6ffc7a2e.png

9ca7cab83781e5df826f02.png

Academy Life

After the New Year holidays, the preschool gymnasts returned to training and developing lessons.

The Academy's youngest gymnasts started training

2000 Sydney Olympic champion, world champion, and three-time European champion Yulia Barsukova is the next focus in our series of exclusive interviews that we recorded at the Sky Grace Cup International Tournament and Beijing Top Open 2025.<div data-component="video" data-props="{&quot;materialId&quot;:7731,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Интервью Барсукова_англ&quot;,&quot;externalCdnLink&quot;:null,&quot;video&quot;:{&quot;subDir&quot;:&quot;4d6/c69&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;4d6c697e56c101d49a725a.mp4&quot;}}"></div>In an interview, she spoke:<ul><li>On the transition from figure skating to rhythmic gymnastics</li><li>Yulia Barsukova's favorite figure skaters</li><li>When did sport transform from a childhood hobby into a life's work?</li><li>On her first significant medals</li><li>First European Championships in Budapest in 1999</li><li>"I prepare the same way, go through control training. And then everyone leaves, but I stay"</li><li>What was the preparation for the Sydney Olympics like?</li><li>The night before the 2000 Olympic Final</li><li>"I just had to perform well"</li><li>Emotions after winning the Olympics</li><li>The "Dying Swan" and unique gymnasts' elements</li><li>"You need to leave with grace. Undefeated"</li><li>A gymnast in figure skating</li><li>How did Yulia Barsukova decide to become a coach?</li><li>On working with Dina and Arina Averina, Anastasia Guzenkova, and Anna Popova</li><li>What can athletes teach a coach?</li><li>What's the secret of an Olympic champion?</li></ul>

287cbeef417289af6f48ee.png

6a59fe7d77ec168c9c909a.png

2000 Sydney Olympic champion, world champion, and three-time European champion Yulia Barsukova is the next focus in our series of exclusive interviews that we recorded at the Sky Grace Cup International Tournament and Beijing Top Open 2025


Exclusive interview with Yulia Barsukova, 2000 Sydney Olympic champion

We could not miss the opportunity to talk to the Olympic champions in rhythmic gymnastics at the Sky Grace Cup International Tournament and Beijing Top Open 2025. The result is the exclusive interviews about the path to the main victory, willpower and overcoming of difficulties.Our first character is Linoy Ashram, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics champion.<div data-component="video" data-props="{&quot;materialId&quot;:7733,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Интервью Ашрам Английский&quot;,&quot;externalCdnLink&quot;:null,&quot;video&quot;:{&quot;subDir&quot;:&quot;901/43b&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;90143b6c5f38a3e7b23e5d.mp4&quot;}}"></div>In an exclusive interview:<ul><li>How did Linoy Ashram get into rhythmic gymnastics?</li><li>Who among gymnasts inspired the future champion?</li><li>About the first performances</li><li>How did Linoy train and what she thought about during the pandemic</li><li>Emotions before participating in the Olympic Games&nbsp;</li><li>Main rivals&nbsp;</li><li>What did the future champion do the day before the start of the Olympics?</li><li>"I didn't feel like I was at the Olympic Games"</li><li>About the status of the first Olympic champion from Israel</li><li>What is Linoy up to after ending her career?</li><li>What is the secret of Olympic champions?</li></ul>

e381c2f33a85cba1e697be.png

2530a9675ff485851dbd0b.png

We could not miss the opportunity to talk to the Olympic champions in rhythmic gymnastics at the Sky Grace Cup International Tournament and Beijing Top Open 2025. The result is the exclusive interviews about the path to the main victory, willpower and overcoming of difficulties.


Exclusive interview with Linoy Ashram, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics champion

Arina Kovshova from the Novosibirsk region recently joined the Academy team.The gymnast told what emotions the move to Sirius gave her.<blockquote>"I moved to Sochi and will be training here now. It's very cozy here. We generally hang out with everyone here, but we probably spend most of our time with the older girls. Sasha Borisova, Masha Borisova, Varya Toporova. I'm glad it's sunny and warm here. It's nice here."</blockquote>The athlete shared the goals she sets for the near future.<blockquote>"I need to recover, learn new exercises, and prepare for competitions. I think we'll be preparing for the Russian Championships; we'll be training hard here."</blockquote>

d57ea4a6447fd67b498915.png

c1bf4428b8971b86627877.png

Opinion

A gymnast from the Novosibirsk Region recently joined the Academy's team.

Arina Kovshova talked about moving to the Academy and her immediate plans

Varvara Toporova, a new gymnast at the Academy from the Republic of Kalmykia, told how the adaptation is going and what goals the athlete sets for herself.<blockquote>"I really like it here. The atmosphere is great. I've come here for competitions before. I was also at a training camp before the New Year. I'd really like to see through all the plans I've made for myself. Of course, I want to improve in all areas: improve my apparatus, elements, and cleanliness."</blockquote>The athlete also shared her impressions of the new programs.<blockquote>"They just put together two new routines for me, hoop and ball. The styles haven't changed much. I really like the routines that Evgeniya Olegovna Kanaeva put together for me. They're very interesting, with lots of new ideas. Everything turned out very melodic and I enjoy doing and practicing them."</blockquote>Varvara noted how she is supported by the Honored coach of Russia Lyudmila Galchenko.<blockquote>"She gives me guidance, corrects me, and encourages me as best she can. I feel really supported by her."</blockquote>Earlier, we <a href="https://skygrace.ru/en/news/mneniya/ey-hochetsya-pokazyvat-rezultaty-i-byt-na-vysote-lyudmila-galchenko-o-trenirovkah-varvary-toporovoy-v-akademii">recorded</a> an interview with Russia’s Honored Coach Lyudmila Galchenko, who came to Sirius with Varvara.

17c50f0df9b20a761a36b3.png

6219edb686bbb3812892ec.png

The gymnast told how the adaptation goes and what goals the athlete sets for herself.

"I'd really like to see through all the plans I've made for myself." Varvara Toporova — about moving to the Academy

The Academy group exercises team attended the The Nutcracker ballet. The famous performance was shown at the Sirius Concert Center.Our new juniors Vladislava Gaivoronskaya from the Voronezh Region, Alexandra Ponomareva from the Rostov Region, and Alisa Kirpicheva from St. Petersburg, along with the Academy students also saw the production. The girls were selected for the 2012 group exercises team and are currently on a trial period.&nbsp;The trip to the performance was organized by the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

bdd9a4cdddf92afc1d1046.png

c65f378a6bc57e47ba4638.png

The performance took place at the Sirius Concert Center.

The Academy group exercises team attended the The Nutcracker ballet

Good wishes on International Choreographer's Day from the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy and the Sky Grace International Association:<blockquote>"Dear choreographers, congratulations on your professional holiday!&nbsp;Choreography is not just the art of movement, but, above all, incredible work. We thank you for dedicating your lives to this wonderful craft, and that you inspire and teach young stars.&nbsp;We wish you endless inspiration, good health, bright creative ideas, and talented students.&nbsp;Congratulations!"</blockquote>

11589a5d5c85759968c32d.png

8113085c2f970525d436a7.png

Good wishes on International Choreographer's Day from the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy and the Sky Grace International Association.

Happy International Choreographer's Day!

Here's the next challenge in our marathon!Let's start this year with healthy habits. On January 8, we invite you to explore some beliefs about food and create a balanced diet in our Myth or Truth: Nutrition section.All episodes can be found <a href="https://skygrace.ru/en/video/sovety-dietologa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/c58/bb9/c58bb96dd20b4a2518b3072d2079852b.jpg"></figure>

61061affa3b540820843d4.png

2743f906b5fb832fda2085.png

Here's the next challenge in our marathon!

Marathon of activities: January 8

The Russian Gymnastics Federation has published the 2026 national team roster.The Academy's seniors include Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg and Varvara Toporova from the Republic of Kalmykia. Among the reserves are Eva Kononova from the Tyumen Region and Arina Kovshova from the Novosibirsk Region.The junior team includes Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina, Elizaveta Geraskina from Moscow, Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, and Karolina Pakhtusova from St. Petersburg. Reserve list includes Academy group gymnasts, as well as Elina Khabirova from Kazan.The team's coaches and specialists include Irina Gusarova, Alina Gusarova, Evgeniya Eliseeva, Olesya Kovaleva, Ekaterina Lots, Olga Minigalina, Anna Ustsova, Olga Frolova, Elizaveta Chernova, Alina Protasova and choreographers Ekaterina Belova and Elena Egorova.<a href="https://sportgymrus.ru/uploads/media_manager/2026/01/spisok-kandidatov-v-sportivnye-sbornye-komandy-rossiiskoi-federacii-po-hudozhestvennoi-gimnastike-na-2026-god.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The full list of the Russian national team for 2026.</a>

9fe168807d94ae1b88ec91.png

c5c54d157fe580fe245a20.png

The Russian Gymnastics Federation has published the list.

The Academy gymnasts joined the Russian national team for 2026

The Academy's new gymnast, Varvara Toporova, came to us with Russia’s Honored Coach Lyudmila Galchenko.The specialist shared her impressions after the first day of training and told how Varvara is getting back into shape after the New Year holidays:<blockquote>"Varya, of course, trained with great zeal today, with great desire. I can see how hard she's working. She wants to show great results and be at the top. And, of course, that makes me happy, and I look forward to the future with great hope. Today was a very interesting day. I had a morning training session with Irina Nikolaevna Gusarova. I learned a lot from that training. Today we had a general fitness program, we worked on elements, risks, skills, a little bit of apparatus training, and a choreography lesson. Today we also had a swimming assignment in the pool, which Irina Nikolaevna gave us. So I think she'll be getting back into shape pretty quickly."</blockquote>Lyudmila thanked Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva for inviting her to the Academy:<blockquote>"New conditions and new teachers, coaches. I think this will be a great incentive for her. And for this, too, a big thank you to Alina Maratovna, because we needed it right now. So I'm filled with very positive emotions today. It's a real post-New Year's gift."</blockquote>Earlier, Varvara Toporova and Arina Kovshova joined the Academy team.

873c1bb41a14b353997841.png

22140aaecff47169fbc4f4.png

The specialist shared how Varvara is getting back into shape after the New Year holidays and thanked Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva for inviting her to the Academy.