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.

6a09b8e33a710adb56c62c.jpg

2deb32471cb8e916311661.jpg

Competitions

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!

An interview with Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, the winner of the AEON Cup junior all-around and the club standings.&nbsp;<blockquote>The routines that worked out the best for me were probably ribbon and hoop. The support was huge. On the final day, even more people came. They were clapping, supporting, and cheering at every risk and every turn. They looked so amazed, and it made me really happy that I was bringing joy to the spectators.</blockquote> The gymnast talked about her preparation for the tournament in Japan:&nbsp;<blockquote>Alina Maratovna was in touch via video calls and during our control training sessions. We had two of them. I did well on the first one, my run-through was completely clean. On the second one, I only had a drop in my hoop routine on a skill. She praised me and said that there was no need to get discouraged — ‘only stay in a good mood, only look forward,’ that getting there was already a huge step forward for me personally. And that's why I just had to enjoy the moment. I want to say a huge thank you to Evgeniya Mikhailovna for going through this training journey with me. It was very tough, but cool at the same time. Thanks very much to her. Thanks to Olga Dmitrievna for supporting and preparing me as well. She supported me here before every single day, so a huge thank you to her too. And, of course, to Alina Maratovna for coming to the training sessions, going through the plan with us, and for providing the kind of plan that prepared me so well for this competition. Generally, a huge thank you to everyone involved in this victory.</blockquote> She also thanked fans:&nbsp;<blockquote>I wanted to send a huge thank you to everyone who rooted for me and supported me because I could feel it. When I stepped onto the carpet, I knew that there were so many people cheering and supporting me. It felt very heartwarming. With every movement, I kept reminding myself: ‘I need to focus for everyone who believes in me and not let anyone down.’</blockquote> And shared her impressions of discovering a new country and performing at the competition.&nbsp;<blockquote>I have only positive impressions because I have never been to Tokyo, to Japan. I like it here very very much. People here are so kind. Everyone bows like this and says ‘thank you’ in Russian. And I think this tournament was airy. Everything here was just top-notch. Thanks so much everyone! What stood out to me the most was Hello Kitty walking around and entertaining the spectators and us as well. And after the routines, we would sit on the couches, waving like this, and Hello Kitty was sitting right next to us. It was so cute.</blockquote> Yana Zaikina from Volgograd is a European champion and a silver medalist of the national championship. The gymnast is a member of the main Russian national team, lives and trains at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy. Her coaches are Evgeniya Eliseeva and Olga Minigalina, and her choreographer is Elena Egorova.Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg, Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, and Sofia Ilteryakova from Moscow are partners of the Sky Grace International Association. At the AEON Cup, they represented Russia, as well as the Association as its partners.

407804f63ed7af8c68b3cb.jpg

be36559db31f4edd7842b5.jpg

Opinion

An interview with Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, the winner of the AEON Cup junior all-around and the club standings.

"Many thanks to everyone involved in this victory!" — Yana Zaikina after the AEON Cup

After completing her performances at the AEON Cup, the senior all-around champion Sofia Ilteryakova talked about her preparation for the tournament and the new routine with the hoop:&nbsp;<blockquote>I have only good, positive emotions from the competition. Even before the competition, we trained with a positive attitude; we had some inside jokes and we laughed. At the same time, we worked very productively! As for the competition itself, I am also very glad that I managed to get through all four apparatuses without any major mistakes yet there were some minor mistakes, so we will keep working on those. Overall, I am just so happy that I came to Japan, to Tokyo. We've done a bit of work this time compared to Croatia, and bit by bit, it is really starting to come together into a complete image. I hope that very soon I will be able to fully reveal this character, to showcase this hoop routine in all its glory and execute it at 100%.</blockquote> She also shared her emotions, and recalled what helped her focus before stepping onto the carpet.&nbsp;<blockquote>Of course, I tried not to think about needing to get a certain score or beat someone. The plan in my head was simply to perform well, without mistakes. Not to let down the coaches, the team, or Russia. And to perform for the pleasure of it, so that everyone would enjoy it. Thanks so much to Alina Maratovna for her support. And in general, I want to say a huge thank you for the support to everyone who helped me, worked with me, and backed me up. I love you all so very much!</blockquote> Sofia Ilteryakova from Moscow is a partner of the Sky Grace International Association, as are Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg and Yana Zaikina from Volgograd. All three gymnasts represented the Association as partners at the AEON Cup.

e75acd9b7f25e2ae68fa40.jpg

f9f328af30b9d785f8919c.jpg

Sofia Ilteryakova from Moscow won gold medal in the all-around at the AEON Cup.


"The plan was to perform well, without any mistakes" — Sofia Ilteryakova after the AEON Cup

The team of the Sky Grace International Association thanks the organizers of the AEON Cup World Club Championship for comfortable conditions for the athletes and careful attention to every detail!&nbsp;The competition was held at the top-notch level owing to your efforts — the participants were able to fully focus on the performances and demonstrate everything they are capable to do. Thank you for your efforts and contribution to development of rhythmic gymnastics!

59d3c3a1bb5c43467848af.jpg

a6ed35ffe97b51cdd74ec5.jpg

The tournament was held in Tokyo from October 22 to 25.

The team of the Sky Grace International Association thanks the organizers of the AEON Cup World Club Championship

Olympic champion and President of the Sky Grace International Association, Alina Kabaeva, congratulated the Russian gymnasts on their victory at the AEON Cup World Club Championship:"I congratulate our girls — Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg, and Sofia Ilteryakova from Moscow — on their victory at the AEON Cup World Club Championship! Congratulations to coaches Irina Gusarova, Natalya Glemba, Evgeniya Eliseeva, and Olga Minigalina, and choreographers Ekaterina Sergeeva, Ekaterina Belova, and Elena Egorova, who put so much effort, hard work, and love into preparing the athletes. Behind every such victory lies the immense work of an entire team.I remember Sofia Ilteryakova competing in the Sky Grace Cup tournament last year and winning the silver medal in the junior all-around. Sonya is a partner of the Sky Grace International Association, represents it at the World Club Championship and has already won the tournament as a senior, that is how the circle has come full unbroken. Thanks to her performance at the Sky Grace Cup tournament, Sonya's talent was also recognized in the Russian national team. For me, this is a very important example of how our Association opens the path to new heights for athletes. And it is so gratifying to see that this journey continues!Yana Zaikina did a great job! She not only helped the team secure the victory but also won gold in the junior all-around. Yana, I know how much labor stands behind your result. Keep it up!Mariia Borisova has been demonstrating a high level of mastery for several years now, decently representing our country and the Association on the international stage. Masha won silver in the individual all-around, earned the highest score of this year's tournament, and set a new personal best on the international arena. My congratulations!Last year, our gymnasts competed under a neutral status and won silver in the team standings. And this year, they took first place under the Russian flag! These are special emotions for all of us.My thanks go to the athletes for their character, mastery, and will to win. I thank the coaches for their professionalism, patience, and faith in their students. This victory is a shared success, and I am confident that our gymnasts have many more brilliant achievements ahead!"

27176ea4b282ad1cb8d277.jpg

aa47132381d41434dba9ae.jpg

Alina Kabaeva

The gymnasts won gold in the team all‑around competition.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva congratulated the Russian gymnasts on their victory at the AEON Cup World Club Championship

<div data-component="video" data-props="{&quot;materialId&quot;:10329,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Небесная грация 25.10.2026&quot;,&quot;externalCdnLink&quot;:null,&quot;video&quot;:{&quot;subDir&quot;:&quot;e72/c5a&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;e72c5a8129b8993b967757.mp4&quot;}}"></div>The REN-TV channel features a story about the victory of Yana Zaikina from Volgograd in the junior all-around at the AEON Cup World Club Championship.

541c4257971eab945bcace.png

ef92f8e2524a756de8d327.png

On the last day of the tournament, the gymnast won gold in the all‑around competition among junior athletes.

The REN-TV channel features a story about the victory of Yana Zaikina n the all-around

On the final day of the tournament in Japan, Masha Borisova from St. Petersburg scored 30.500 points for her clubs routine. This is the highest score awarded at the 2026 AEON Cup.Masha has also updated her personal best in international competitions.&nbsp;The routine's choreographer and stage director is Irina Zenovka. Masha's coach is Irina Gusarova, and the choreographer is Ekaterina Belova.Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg is a world champion in the team all-around and a medalist at the World and European Championships. The gymnast is a member of the Russian National team’s main roster and the Sirius Federal Territory team, lives and trains at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg, Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, and Sofia Ilteryakova from Moscow are partners of the Sky Grace International Association. At the AEON Cup, they represent Russia, as well as the Association as its partners.

1b5644530fb58ab8e236e1.jpg

e22662ec0c941b0fbacb07.jpg

On the final day of the tournament in Japan, Masha Borisova from St. Petersburg scored 30.500 points for her clubs routine.

Maria Borisova set a record at the AEON Cup 2026

The Sky Grace International Association team from Russia are the AEON Cup World Club Championship winners with a score of 338.250 points.They cleared second place by a margin of 8.20 points.The Burlo and Pacific Stars team (USA) took the silver with a score of 330.050 points. Deriugina School (Ukraine) finished third with a total of 319.150 points.Congratulations to Mariia Borisova, Sofia Ilteryakova, and Yana Zaikina, as well as coaches Irina Gusarova, Natalya Glemba, Evgeniya Eliseeva, and Olga Minigalina, and choreographers Ekaterina Sergeeva, Ekaterina Belova, and Elena Egorova!Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg, Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, and Sofia Ilteryakova from Moscow are partners of the Sky Grace International Association. At the AEON Cup, they represent Russia, as well as the Association as its partners.

588507e05e7115e4920bef.jpg

22effc8af0eb7692ad167a.jpg

They cleared second place by a margin of 8.20 points.

The Sky Grace International Association team from Russia are the AEON Cup World Club Championship winners

Sofia Ilteryakova from Moscow and Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg won gold and silver medals in the all-around at the AEON Cup.Sonya scored 117.750 points across four apparatuses, while Masha earned 115.800.&nbsp;Megan Chu from the United States came in third with 114.850 points.&nbsp;Sofia Ilteryakova is coached by Natalya Glemba and choreographed by Ekaterina Sergeeva. Mariia Borisova is coached by Irina Gusarova and Ekaterina Belova is the choreographer.&nbsp;Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg, Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, and Sofia Ilteryakova from Moscow are partners of the Sky Grace International Association. At the AEON Cup, they represent Russia, as well as the Association as its partners.

dbba5b8b4b927ffd61e278.jpg

389ad446526f5122e132c2.jpg

Megan Chu from the United States came in third with 114.850 points.

Sofia Ilteryakova and Mariia Borisova won gold and silver medals in the all-around at the AEON Cup

Yana Zaikina from Volgograd is the junior all-around champion at the AEON Cup in Japan.Yana scored a total of 104.700 points across four apparatuses.Anna Filipp from the USA took the silver medal (100.500 points). The bronze medal went to Mariia Miachina from Israel (99.950 points).Yana Zaikina from Volgograd is a European champion and a silver medalist of the national championship. The gymnast is a member of the main Russian national team, lives and trains at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy. Her coaches are Evgenia Eliseeva and Olga Minigalina, and her choreographer is Elena Egorova.

21d99855c5b800715b2e9d.jpg

13e9ea5675f6ad9c24ffac.jpg

Anna Filipp from the USA took the silver medal (100.500 points). The bronze medal went to Mariia Miachina from Israel (99.950 points).

Yana Zaikina from Volgograd is the all-around champion at the AEON Cup

After two routines in the AEON Cup final, Yana Zaikina from Volgograd is currently in first place among juniors with a total score of 52.350 points.Our gymnast earned 27.300 points for her hoop routine and 25.050 points for her ball routine.In second place is Sofiia Krainska from Ukraine (50.700), and in third is Patricia Stanciu from Romania (50.200).Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg, Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, and Sofiia Ilteriakova from Moscow are partners of the Sky Grace International Association. At the AEON Cup, they are representing both Russia and the Association.Yana is a European champion and a silver medalist at the National championships. She is a member of the Russian national team and lives and trains at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy. Her coaches are Evgeniya Eliseeva and Olga Minigalina, and her choreographer is Elena Egorova.

e5437f210f82b0df3f4c89.jpg

f37038bd015a5aa937f288.jpg

In second place is Sofiia Krainska from Ukraine (50.700), and in third is Patricia Stanciu from Romania (50.200).