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.

8867f8b1e6b3ee25dd795d.jpg

74b7ac466dfcbda2c62a46.jpg

Competitions

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>

c1f7277e00832e644b5d50.jpg

ae5c7a27eb92eb0a510ec4.jpg

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

Choreographer Natalia Belugina is working on a new routine for Daria Igolkina, a student at the Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy. Natalia was accompanied to the Academy by her student Asel Arapova from Kyrgyzstan.<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/106/742/10674265ceb654791c1812832cb76d6e.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/39c/f43/39cf43135ea1c968092fd631bbba522b.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/15a/9fa/15a9fa7466541d2e4ecc8b43fb8cbaab.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/30d/7bb/30d7bb89e989171e55caf7551e6cfa6d.jpg"></figure>

5024e23c27788e913a28f7.jpg

29114e4f9296f3454786db.jpg

Training

Natalia was accompanied to the Academy by her student Asel Arapova from Kyrgyzstan.

Choreographer Natalia Belugina is working on a new routine for Daria Igolkina, an Academy student

<div data-component="video" data-props="{&quot;materialId&quot;:9902,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;\&quot;Vera, you really ought to work with children\&quot;: Vera Shtelbaums interview&quot;,&quot;externalCdnLink&quot;:null,&quot;video&quot;:{&quot;subDir&quot;:&quot;4a4/cf6&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;4a4cf6e0fc71b5589e4bd0.mp4&quot;}}"></div>"Vera, you really ought to work with children" — that is what Vera Shtelbaums once heard from her teacher. Today, Vera is Russia’s Honored Coach, a recipient of the Order of Friendship and the Order of Honor, and a Hero of the Omsk Region. In this interview, Vera talks about the beginning of her journey, the state of rhythmic gymnastics in Omsk, issues with the rules, and the future of the sport.

a159bb8714fb0d24ab1390.png

a785cf73e7de00854751f6.png

Rhythmic Gymnastics Veterans

In this interview, Vera talks about the beginning of her journey, the state of rhythmic gymnastics in Omsk, issues with the rules, and the future of the sport.

Interview with Russia’s Honored Coach Vera Shtelbaums

Olympic champion and Sky Grace International Association President, Alina Kabaeva, congratulated Emanuela Maccarani on her appointment as Head coach of the Russian National group rhythmic gymnastics team:&nbsp;<blockquote>"I wholeheartedly congratulate Emanuela Maccarani on her appointment as the Russian national group rhythmic gymnastics team Head coach!&nbsp; Welcome to our big sports family! Your vast experience, unique expertise, and outstanding achievements are a tremendous asset to Russian rhythmic gymnastics. Your work with the Italian national team, along with your Olympic medals, awards, and accolades, speak volumes about your high level of professionalism and dedication.&nbsp; I am confident that your experience and expertise will help unlock the potential of our athletes and lead to brilliant new victories. I wish you inspiration, productive collaboration with our coaching staff, and, of course, the best of luck! We will achieve great things together!"</blockquote>

cdb9c547fe82d5170c60b7.png

d10c61f2e075ea0488d7a7.png

Alina Kabaeva

Olympic champion and Sky Grace International Association President, Alina Kabaeva, congratulated Emanuela Maccarani on her appointment as Head coach of the Russian National group rhythmic gymnastics team

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva congratulated Emanuela Maccarani on her appointment as Head coach of the Russian National group rhythmic gymnastics team

The Alina International Children's Charity Rhythmic Gymnastics Festival is heading to India.In 2025, the organizers invited us to hold the international Sky Grace Cup tournament in India, and we offered to organize our festival there.And now, on October 29th, a show based on Igor Stravinsky's ballet "The Firebird" will take place in Mumbai.In 2026, the festival's geography will expand, it will be held in Asia for the first time.The event promises to be truly spectacular! Follow our channel—we'll continue to show the production process and gradually reveal more details.

6fa0ad980574c7c334d892.jpg

f2bdce3e604721a625e5c9.jpg

The Alina Festival

On October 29th, a show based on Igor Stravinsky's ballet "The Firebird" will take place in Mumbai!

The Alina International Children's Charity Rhythmic Gymnastics Festival is heading to India

In Novogorsk, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva worked with Yana Zaikina from Volgograd. They reviewed the new routines the gymnast will use next season when she begins competing at the Master of Sports level.<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/392/f92/392f92c5fdf32204e6683107893a213d.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/7ae/e76/7aee76b8f0d65632d7498fe0cfe3b250.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/cc0/861/cc0861f2a2d50f0fa6970a0f19f5a1ef.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/3cb/bec/3cbbecd0b3f55211b5d06c18282f4e7e.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/730/79e/73079ed364c50265b6ca72e7255cbf12.jpg"></figure>

adcd4e1ad49d7ca8ed659e.jpg

4f0615b609d90fffba622f.jpg

They reviewed the new routines the gymnast will use next season when she begins competing at the Master of Sports level.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva worked with Yana Zaikina in Novogorsk

In Novogorsk and Sirius, gymnasts from the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy are actively preparing for their upcoming tournaments.<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/b3f/133/b3f1333fc4bd422b34b036277a9ae182.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/1dc/797/1dc797f0b743ea9f0a81f42f78b4af9e.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/de7/cb5/de7cb51b1982a57bcb38366566072ed2.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/9a8/eaf/9a8eafeff2b9d3b347d4aa58dc74de28.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/e47/e7e/e47e7e8408d42a57af03c1cc2fe6d73a.jpg"></figure>

ef9607aef2e37b470dd9f5.jpg

34adcfc2d538bdb39f7094.jpg

Academy Life

Training continues in Novogorsk and Sirius.

The Academy gymnasts are actively preparing for their upcoming tournaments

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva called Honored Coach of Russia Irina Savkina and invited gymnasts from Belgorod to train in Sirius.The training program is organized by the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, the Martial Arts Academy, and the Administration of the Sirius Federal Territory.

54104851ad366afc8aecf3.jpg

64e58a5d75913c8ec2f895.jpg

The training program is organized by the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, the Martial Arts Academy, and the Administration of the Sirius Federal Territory.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva invited gymnasts from Belgorod to train in Sirius

Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg and coach Irina Gusarova have already gone back to training.<figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/a73/c24/a73c2415c5c2019c5664bf24b7a01203.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/eb6/864/eb686485a5f68a7e36467fa67b44eb0f.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/9df/088/9df08875adc747f19af7414d9698061f.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://skygrace.ru/static/files/images/editor/513/013/51301329a517bf2d5c8b59ec4ddde7fd.jpg"></figure>

be5ab498e79a9b21ddd7c2.jpg

9172ed0a811b8a16eec18e.jpg

In Novogorsk, the gymnast and the specialist began their training sessions.

Mariia Borisova and coach Irina Gusarova have gone back to training

Mariia Borisova and the St. Petersburg team opened the Russian Premier League match between Zenit and CSKA.After winning the team event at the World Championships, Mariia, along with Arina Lavrenova, Alisa Eremeeva, Anna Nikolaeva, Sofia Solonskaya, Agata Barekzai, and coach Elena Petunina, were invited to the match as guests of honor. Before the match, Mariia performed a symbolic kick.Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg is a world champion in the team all-around and a medalist at the European Championships. member of the Russian National team’s main roster and the Sirius federal territory team, and lives and trains at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy. Her coach is Irina Gusarova, and the choreographer is Ekaterina Belova.&nbsp;The St. Petersburg group gymnasts are world champions in the team all-around and silver medalists at the Russian Championships. Together with Daria Melnik, they are members of the Russian National team. The group exercises team trains at the Zhemchuzhina Rhythmic Gymnastics Center. Their coach is Elena Petunina, and the choreographer is Elena Afanasyeva.

d17eb4283cb3313842b234.jpg

f3d022b09f6e2a605b49ec.jpg

After winning the team event at the World Championships, Mariia, along with Arina Lavrenova, Alisa Eremeeva, Anna Nikolaeva, Sofia Solonskaya, Agata Barekzai, and coach Elena Petunina, were invited to the match as guests of honor. Before the match, Mariia performed a symbolic kick.