Video

Every unnecessary movement wastes time and disrupts the rhythm of the routine. Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva showed the Russian national group team from St. Petersburg how to transition immediately into an exchange right after catching the ball. A few repetitions — and the combination becomes noticeably cleaner.

During a control training session at the Zhemchuzhina Central Gymnastics Center, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva and Russia’s Honored Coach Natalia Lashchinskaya advised Mariia Borisova from St. Petersburg on how to more accurately time her ribbon routine to the music.

Together with Academy coach Olesya Kovaleva, gymnast Jojo Tawinun from Thailand is working on her expressiveness: adding fluidity, accents, and freedom of movement.

Following the control run-throughs, Academy judges Olga Minigalina, Ekaterina Lots, Olga Frolova, and Zlata Tulubaeva evaluated the gymnasts' performances. The specialists explained why it is important to project energy to the spectators and judges, how the presentation affects the overall impression, and what technical nuances require attention to avoid losing points. Honored Coaches of Russia Veronika Shatkova and Inna Bystrova also took part in the training session.