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Alina Kabaeva

16.09.2026. During a training session in Novogorsk, the Olympic champion told Yana Zaikina from Volgograd how she took a risk on a clubs cascade at the AEON Cup tournament and advised the athlete not to be afraid of difficult elements.

"Confidence comes through fear"

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16.09.2026. During a training session in Novogorsk, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva showed Yana Zaikina from Volgograd the best way to transition into a turn.

Making the ball routine sequence smoother and more musical

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16.09.2026. During a training session in Novogorsk, the Olympic champion discussed the current rules of rhythmic gymnastics in detail with Academy coach Evgeniya Eliseeva and Zlata Tulubaeva, a member of the All-Russian Judges Panel.

"We need to tackle this gradually"

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Academy Life

Training continues in Novogorsk and Sirius.

The Academy gymnasts are actively preparing for their upcoming tournaments

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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

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

Mariia Borisova and coach Irina Gusarova have gone back to training

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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 and the St. Petersburg team opened the Russian Premier League match between Zenit and CSKA

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13.09.2026. During a practice run by Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, Academy coach Evgeniya Eliseeva helped adjust a sequence to eliminate the static pause before the pirouette en arrière. Meanwhile, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva reminded Yana of the importance of enjoying training, setting goals in advance, and working towards them.

"Setting goals is important. Life without a goal isn't interesting"

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13.09.2026. The Olympic champion focused on leg stability, body alignment, and shoulder positioning. 

The gymnast's coach is Lyubov Usmanova.

While working with Sofia Dubrovina from the Yaroslavl Region, Alina Kabaeva analyzed the planche turn

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13.09.2026. The Olympic champion assessed the athlete's physical attributes, asked her to demonstrate elements and risks, and gave some technique advice.

In Novogorsk, Alina Kabaeva watched gymnast Sofia Dubrovina from the Yaroslavl Region

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13.09.2026. At a training session with Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, the Olympic champion, along with Academy coach Evgeniya Eliseeva and All-Russian Panel of Judges member Zlata Tulubaeva, discussed the apparatus catch after a risk.

"Why is everyone spinning? Why aren't you turning?"

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13.09.2026. While rehearsing a new ribbon routine, the Olympic champion asked the gymnasts to identify the flaw that had caught her eye by watching a replay on the screen. 

How does Alina Kabaeva help junior group gymnasts work on their mistakes?

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13.09.2026. Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva and Academy coach Evgeniya Eliseeva recalled how Yana arrived from Volgograd to try out. 

What was Yana Zaikina’s try-out into the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy like?

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13.09.2026. Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva and coach Evgeniya Eliseeva suggested that Yana Zaikina from Volgograd perform a backward pirouette through the hoop instead of a spin.

"It's out of this world. She can do it!"

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13.09.2026. The Olympic champion had previously taken part in this move during the Tango performance at the 2010 Alina festival, which was choreographed by Alla Dukhova, the founder and artistic director of the TODES international dance company.

Alina Kabaeva suggested that Yana Zaikina from Volgograd and her coach, Evgeniya Eliseeva, add an acrobatic element to their routine

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13.09.2026. There was a time when Alina Kabaeva would actually approach Vera to ask if she could finish up and leave practice. Who would have thought that, so many years later, they would meet again in the training hall! 

A heartwarming moment after a training session in Novogorsk featuring Olympic champion and Russia’s Honored Coach Vera Shtelbaums

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13.09.2026. In Novogorsk, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva, coach Evgeniya Eliseeva, choreographer Ekaterina Belova, and Yana Zaikina from Volgograd discussed their recovery camp in Turkey and reminisced about the gymnast's victory at the European Championships.

"This is, of course, a team effort"

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12.09.2026. While working on the new hoop routine for Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva and coach Evgenia Eliseeva are paying special attention to the continuity and smoothness of movements.

"When you get up from the floor, your chest rises first, and then your head"

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12.09.2026. The gymnasts from Kyrgyzstan arrived in Novogorsk for training camp.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva greeted the gymnasts and coaches of the Russian national team

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12.09.2026. Meanwhile, coach Evgenia Eliseeva and All-Russian Board of Judges member Zlata Tulubaeva noted the nuances of the element's execution technique.

As the training session continued, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva showed Yana Zaikina from Volgograd an interesting variant of a pirouette to a back balance with a ball

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11.09.2026. During training in Novogorsk, the Olympic champion noticed that Volgograd's Yana Zaikina's ball routine lacked a pirouette into a back balance after rising from the floor, even though the gymnast had all the makings of it.

"What a beautiful element you'll have, I can just see it!"

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11.09.2026. The Olympic champion demonstrated an interesting catch. The video also features an example of an unusual boomerang.

Alina Kabaeva and coach Evgeniya Eliseeva took notice of Volgograd’s Yana Zaikina’s ribbon risk

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11.09.2026. Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva suggested changing Yana Zaikina's catch on the risk with a ribbon from Volgograd to catch it in a Kudryavtseva element. She also demonstrated how to logically achieve the skill.

"Make it so that when you get up, you're already doing the skill"

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11.09.2026. The Olympic champion focused on throwing technique and the speed of the element. She then showed the gymnast the best movement to catch the apparatus. 

Alina Kabaeva discussed ball risks with Yana Zaikina from Volgograd

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11.09.2026. The Olympic champion suggested an option to keep her movements from becoming static.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva showed Yana Zaikina from Volgograd how to wrap the ball around her routine

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10.09.2026. After Mariia Borisova's successful performance at the World Championships in Germany, Alina Kabaeva met with the gymnast and her coach, Irina Gusarova. They discussed how Masha competed at the tournament and reached peak form, as well as what she needs to work on in her new routines. The gymnast also gave Alina Kabaeva a bracelet as a keepsake.

"I believed in you, Masha, I believed in you. And I'm so glad everything worked out for us"

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10.09.2026. During Volgograd’s Yana Zaikina’s clubs rehearsal, Alina Kabaeva focused on her artistry. She asked the gymnast to use her facial expressions more, to feel the music, and to be more open to showing emotion.

The main focus of the Olympic champion's final training session was working on the character of her routines

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10.09.2026. During a training session in Novogorsk, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva and coach Evgeniya Eliseeva advised Yana Zaikina from Volgograd on how to execute the fouetté turns in her clubs routine.

"Stay in the flow!"

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10.09.2026. First minutes at the training base.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva's arrival in Novogorsk began with warm welcomes and greetings

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09.09.2026. Alina Kabaeva demonstrated herself exactly how the feet should look when performing elements.

During a training session with Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz, the Olympic champion paid special attention to footwork

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09.09.2026. The Olympic champion took to the floor with the ribbon to show Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz the right way to execute a high-risk move without stopping. 

Alina Kabaeva shows how it’s done

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09.09.2026. While practicing Alesya Naifonova's ribbon routine from the Olympic champion Vladikavkaz,  noticed that one of the elements could be made much more dynamic.

New ideas from Alina Kabaeva

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09.09.2026. During one of her training sessions at the Academy, the Olympic champion discussed Vladikavkaz gymnast Alesya Naifonova's ribbon routine with coach, Alina Gusarova, and coach, Ekaterina Lots, a member of the All-Russian Board of Judges, and suggested creating a new one.

"Give her more time, it's okay. All children are different"

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09.09.2026. For example, if you add an extra rotation to an exercise, the judges won't award any points. Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva discussed this with her coach, Ekaterina Lots, a member of the All-Russian Board of Judges, while practicing her junior group gymnasts routine with balls.

The unfairness of modern rhythmic gymnastics rules: additional difficulty doesn't always earn points

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08.09.2026. We're showing a glimpse of the creative process!

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva and Russia’s Honored Coach Veronika Shatkova taught the junior group gymnasts how to properly perform the catch in the five-ball exercise

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08.09.2026. Alina Kabaeva gave the junior group gymnasts tips on how to move without stopping.

The gymnasts also received assistance from Russia’s Honored Coach Veronika Shatkova, coach and member of the All-Russian Board of Judges Ekaterina Lots, and Daria Pirogova.

Continuing to work with the Olympic champion on the transition from the jeté en tournant to the throw-over

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07.09.2026. Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva suggested adding a signature element of 2016 Olympic silver medalist Yana Kudryavtseva to the routine. Russia’s Honored coach Veronika Shatkova praised this idea, noting that the new element made the routine even more beautiful.

The Academy junior group gymnasts continue intensive work on their ribbon routine

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07.09.2026. During one of her training sessions with junior group gymnasts, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva praised the fouetté technique suggested by Russia’s Honored Coach Veronika Shatkova.

"Veronika Borisovna, that fouetté is a great find!"

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07.09.2026. The Olympic champion, along with Russia’s Honored Coach Veronika Shatkova, coach Daria Pirogova, and member of the All-Russian Board of Judges Ekaterina Lots, helped the Academy's junior group gymnasts refine their ribbon routine.

Alina Kabaeva and Veronika Shatkova explained to Alina Chistyakova how to make her core and apparatus work more dynamic.

"The echappé is great, Veronika Borisovna gave the right advice"

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07.09.2026. While working on the fouetté in Alesya Naifonova's ribbon routine from Vladikavkaz, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva suggested rearranging the skill to make it more comfortable for the gymnast. Academy coach Alina Gusarova and coach and member of the All-Russian Collegium of Judges Ekaterina Lots helped correct the flaws in her execution.

To achieve perfect technique, it's important to properly combine movement with apparatus work

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07.09.2026. While practicing the ribbon routine, the Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva helped the junior group gymnasts increase their tempo after their jeté en tournant jumps by using rotation and suggested improving their throw technique.

How can a routine be made more fluid and harmonious?

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06.09.2026. Together with Alina Kabaeva and their coach, Ekaterina Lots, a member of the All-Russian Board of Judges, the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy students performed exercises to improve their ball feel.

"What hardworking girls! You'll succeed!"

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06.09.2026. The Olympic champion noted the difficulty of the elements but asked the gymnasts to bring more emotions and energy, in order to make the performance engaging for the audience.

Video Archive

"Confidence comes through fear"

Making the ball routine sequence smoother and more musical

"We need to tackle this gradually"