Academy students performed to Alina Kabaeva at an assessment training session

The assessment training session attended by Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva was held in the Academy.

Our gymnasts that will perform at the all-Russian Sky Grace Cup competition on April 9—15 took part in it: Kristina Voitenko and Valeria Medvedeva from Novosibirsk, Anna Vakulenko from Volgograd, Karolina Tarasova from Donetsk, and Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva watched and made comments on programs of students. Furthermore, she noted how important it is for gymnasts to practice and improve performance and artistry, taught them the proper technique of making elements and shared valuable pieces of advice, repeatedly citing famous award-winning gymnasts as an example.

The Olympic champion explained what preparations for appearing on the floor should be during the performance of Anna Vakulenko. 

“Are you making run-throughs there behind the floor? So you are to appear right all wet. Do you understand? Heated and blushing. You need to prepare there and to come and make here.”

Alina Kabaeva drew attention of students to their communication with the public during their performances in the course of exercise of Valeria Medvedeva.

“And look at me, come on! You make the fouetté here and you again look at the floor. And make the nice exit. You have such wonderful music, you are lovely yourself. Let me get a good look at you. Come on. A move, yes! Look here! Right, communicate with the audience, with judges. Love them and everything will be great, believe me. The world will immediately seem to be good to you.”

During the assessment training session, Academy gymnasts were polishing programs according to rules of the Sky Grace International Association, under which the forthcoming tournament will be staged, with five objects: Rope, Hoop, Ball, Clubs, and Ribbon.