Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg won her first individual medal at the World Championships. The gymnast came in third place in the ball exercise.The athlete’s coach is Irina Gusarova, and the choreographer is Ekaterina Belova.First place went to Darja Varfolomeev from Germany, and Sofia Ilteryakova from Russia came in second.Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg is a World champion in the team all-around and a European Championship medalist. The gymnast is a member of the national team's main roster and the Sirius Federal Territory team, lives and trains at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.

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Competitions

The gymnast from St. Petersburg came in third in the ball exercise.

Mariia Borisova won her first individual medal at the World Championships

The Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy group team gymnasts and the Russian National team has won the all-around title in the junior category at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest.The team members are Alexandra Ponomareva, Alisa Kirpicheva, Vladislava Gaivoronskaya, Alina Chistyakova, Darya Khoroshilova, and Elvira Belyaeva. Their coach is Darya Pirogova and their choreographer is Veronika Shatkova.Second place went to the Labor Reserves team from Moscow, while gymnasts from Belarus took third place.The Academy group team gymnasts are the active Russian junior champions. They live and train at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.

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Second place went to the Labor Reserves team from Moscow, while gymnasts from Belarus took third place.

The Academy group team gymnasts have won the all-around title in the junior category at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest

Yana Zaikina from Volgograd and Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina won gold and silver medals in the junior all-around event at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest.The gymnasts are coached by Evgenia Eliseeva and Olga Minigalina, and Ekaterina Belova is the choreographer.Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz, another gymnast from the Academy, delivered the third-best result; however, under the tournament rules, no more than two athletes from the same country can stand on the podium, so the bronze medal was awarded to Anel Dinisheva from Kazakhstan. Alesya is coached by Alina and Irina Gusarova, with Ekaterina Belova as the choreographer.Ksyusha is a Russian Junior National Champion and a European Championships silver medalist. Yana is a European Champion and a Russian Junior National Championships silver medalist. Both are members of the primary national team roster, live and train at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.

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Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz, another gymnast from the Academy, delivered the third-best result; however, under the tournament rules, no more than two athletes from the same country can stand on the podium, so the bronze medal was awarded to Anel Dinisheva from Kazakhstan. Alesya is coached by Alina and Irina Gusarova, with Ekaterina Belova as thr choreographer.

Yana Zaikina and Ksenia Savinova won gold and silver medals in the all‑around competition among junior athletes at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest

Congratulations to Varvara Toporova from the Republic of Kalmykia on her return to competitions!&nbsp;In January 2026, Varya moved to the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy to begin a new chapter in her career. Due to injuries, she had to put her competitive appearances on hold indefinitely. Doctors, coaches, and the entire Academy team did everything possible to help Varya return to the competition floor.&nbsp;And what a result! At the end of the first day of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest, Varvara Toporova posted the best all-around score across two events.&nbsp;Welcome back, Varya! We are so proud of you. Show everyone what you’re capable of!Varvara Toporova lives and trains at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy. Her coaches are Irina and Alina Gusarova, and her choreographer is Ekaterina Belova.

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In January 2026, Varya moved to the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy to begin a new chapter in her career. Due to injuries, she had to put her competitive appearances on hold indefinitely. Doctors, coaches, and the entire Academy team did everything possible to help Varya return to the competition floor.

Congratulations to Varvara Toporova from the Republic of Kalmykia on her return to competitions!

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva signed a ball for the Yubileiny sports center, which is hosting the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest these days.The ball was presented to the general director of the sports palace, Natalia Nazarova.<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/9a0/c1d/9a0c1d78b00b89299416774746be1d55.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/4d4/eb2/4d4eb269dd70057e3bdf67c9923b4070.jpg"></figure>

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The sports center is hosting the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest these days.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva signed a ball for the Yubileiny sports center

Academy gymnast Varvara Toporova from the Republic of Kalmykia (54.600) finished the first day of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest in first place. Her coaches are Irina and Alina Gusarovs, and the choreographer is Ekaterina Belova.Ulyana Yanus from the Omsk Region (54.250) holds second place after the hoop and ball routines, while another Academy gymnast, Alexandra Borisova from Moscow (53.900), comes in third. Her coaches are Irina and Alina Gusarova, and the choreographer is Ekaterina Belova.In the group exercises, gymnasts from the Tula Region (23.350), competing at the tournament under the International Sky Grace Association quota, secured the third-best result. The group exercise team from the Omsk Region (26.100) is currently leading, with the Moscow team (24.300) in second place.Varya and Sasha live and train at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.

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Ulyana Yanus from the Omsk Region holds second place after the hoop and ball routines, while another Academy gymnast, Alexandra Borisova from Moscow, comes in third.

Academy gymnast Varvara Toporova finished the first day of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest in first place

After the first day of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest, individual gymnasts from the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy occupy the top three places. Yana Zaikina from Volgograd leads the standings (55.100), Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina comes in second (52.850), and Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz earned the third-highest total score for two apparatuses (51.750).In the group exercises, our junior exercise group team is also in first place (22.300). Second place goes to the team from Belarus (22.300), while the gymnasts from St. Petersburg came in third (21.500).Yana, Ksenia, Alesya, and the group exercise team members are part of the main Russian national team roster; they live and train at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy. Yana and Ksenia are coached by Evgenia Eliseeva and Olga Minigalina, while Alesya is coached by Alina and Irina Gusarova. The choreographer is Ekaterina Belova. The group exercises coach is Daria Pirogova, and the choreographer is Veronika Shatkova.

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Yana Zaikina from Volgograd leads the standings, Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina comes in second, and Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz earned the third-highest total score for two apparatuses.

After the first day of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest, individual gymnasts from the Academy occupy the top three places

Gymnasts and group teams from different regions will compete under the Sky Grace International Association quota at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest.Individual gymnasts Angelina Ipatova, Sofya Nikolskaya, Kira Arefyeva, and Ksenia Kolyadina have been given the opportunity to showcase their skills at the tournament in St. Petersburg.As well as group gymnasts from the Republic of Karelia: Alexandra Anisimova, Evelina Batashova, Alexia Bogoslavskaya, Daria Pushkar, Yanina Doroshenko, Ksenia Osipova; the Tula Region: Vasilisa Kalnina, Viktoria Kharutina, Evelina Titova, Varvara Borisova, Sofia Chudnova; St. Petersburg (Lesgaft Sport): Alexandra Bleikh, Zhanna Mochalova, Anna Marushchak, Olga Izotova, Alexandra Laktyushina, Anna Olivenko; and the Volgograd Region: Anna Belenova, Zlata Vysotskaya, Zlata Remchukova, Violetta Pleshakova, Valeria Spitsyna, Ekaterina Terekhova.&nbsp;

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Аssociation

Individual gymnasts Angelina Ipatova, Sofya Nikolskaya, Kira Arefyeva, Ksenia Kolyadina as well as group gymnasts from the Republic of Karelia, Tula Region, St. Petersburg, and Volgograd Region have been given the opportunity to showcase their skills at the tournament in St. Petersburg.

Gymnasts and group teams from different regions will compete under the Sky Grace International Association quota at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest

Due to the emerging cases of mailings sent on behalf of the Alina Kabaeva Charitable Foundation representatives, we’d like to state that the foundation does not send letters and does not practice any fundraising.&nbsp;These letters are sent by scammers and have nothing to do with the foundation, the Olympic champion, the Academy, or the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics&nbsp;Association.&nbsp;Please exercise caution.

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Academy Life

Due to the emerging cases of mailings sent on behalf of the Alina Kabaeva Charitable Foundation representatives, we’d like to state that the foundation does not send letters and does not practice any fundraising.

Important information!

The third stage of the Cup of the Strongest will take place in Saint Petersburg from September 18 to 20.Taking the competition floor are:Seniors Varvara Toporova from the Republic of Kalmykia, and Alexandra Borisova from Moscow;Juniors Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina, Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, and Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz;Group juniors Alina Chistyakova, Vladislava Gaivoronskaya, Alisa Kirpicheva, Alexandra Ponomareva, Elvira Belyaeva, and Daria Khoroshilova.

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The tournament will take place in St. Petersburg from September 18 to 20.

Athletes from the Academy will take part in the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest

Anna Tikhomirova, the First Soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre, shared her impressions of conducting a masterclass for the gymnasts of the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy:&nbsp;<blockquote>"I am very happy that I finally made it here, because this is my first time in Sirius. I’ve heard so many amazing reviews about this place from my colleagues, but I am truly inspired by the girls. A year ago, I noticed them on the 'Big and Small' project on the Kultura TV channel. I was absolutely captivated by their professionalism and grace, and I wanted to share my own experience and knowledge with them, so I gifted them a master class certificate back then."</blockquote>&nbsp;&nbsp;The ballerina shared details about how the training session went and what she wanted to emphasize:<blockquote>"We did ballet barre exercises, center work, and jumps. At the end, I even showed them a piece from a global masterpiece. It was Mikhail Fokin's 'The Dying Swan,' which was danced by Anna Pavlova and Maya Mikhailovna Plisetskaya. I realized that they are, without a doubt, fantastically well-trained, they all have legs just like ballerinas, with pointed feet, extended knees, and amazing lines. But I noticed a bit of stiffness, probably because they are always under such pressure and carry such a heavy workload. So, I wanted them to open up in their dance, to feel that movements can be done with ease and enjoyment. It really is possible."&nbsp;</blockquote>&nbsp;Anna Tikhomirova also recalled the performances of Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva and explained why her exercises remain the gold standard of rhythmic gymnastics:<blockquote>&nbsp;"This is exactly what always made Alina Kabaeva stand out — you simply couldn’t take your eyes off her on the carpet because she was truly dancing. She performed the incredibly complex movements, yet you saw was that unbelievable smile and that really sheer drive on the stage. Just talking about it gives me goosebumps now. I remember those routines, and that is truly the gold standard of rhythmic gymnastics, how it should be. And I really hope the girls, they watch all of this too and absorb it."&nbsp;</blockquote>&nbsp;The First Soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre noted that she would like to return to the Academy:&nbsp;<blockquote>"I hope I will find the time to come back here again. The comfort is incredible. All these light tones and the quality of the training halls. The people are so welcoming. If I were a child, this would have probably been my dream."</blockquote>

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Opinion

Anna Tikhomirova, the First Soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre, shared her impressions of the training session with the Academy gymnasts and noted their high level of training

"They all have legs like ballerinas." Bolshoi Theatre soloist Anna Tikhomirova shared her impressions of the training session with the Academy gymnasts