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Competitions

At the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest, gymnast Saeed Alshamsi Annabel Humaid Jasim from the UAE and her coach Aziza Mamadzhanova met Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva.

"She dreams of meeting you!"

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Before the hoop routine, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva helped Varvara Toporova from the Republic of Kalmykia get into the right mindset for her performance, and afterwards congratulated the gymnast on her successful result.

The Olympic champion helps Varvara Toporova get into the right mindset for her performance with hoop

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The gymnast from Volgograd took first-place finish in the junior all-around event at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest.

Yana Zaikina signs autographs following her successful performance at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest

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Second place went to the Labor Reserves team from Moscow, while gymnasts from Belarus took third place.

The Academy group team gymnasts have won the all-around title in the junior category at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest

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Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz, another gymnast from the Academy, delivered the third-best result; however, under the tournament rules, no more than two athletes from the same country can stand on the podium, so the bronze medal was awarded to Anel Dinisheva from Kazakhstan. Alesya is coached by Alina and Irina Gusarova, with Ekaterina Belova as thr choreographer.

Yana Zaikina and Ksenia Savinova won gold and silver medals in the all‑around competition among junior athletes at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest

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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!

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The sports center is hosting the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest these days.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva signed a ball for the Yubileiny sports center

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Ulyana Yanus from the Omsk Region holds second place after the hoop and ball routines, while another Academy gymnast, Alexandra Borisova from Moscow, comes in third.

Academy gymnast Varvara Toporova finished the first day of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest in first place

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Yana Zaikina from Volgograd leads the standings, Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina comes in second, and Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz earned the third-highest total score for two apparatuses.

After the first day of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest, individual gymnasts from the Academy occupy the top three places

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Аssociation

Individual gymnasts Angelina Ipatova, Sofya Nikolskaya, Kira Arefyeva, Ksenia Kolyadina as well as group gymnasts from the Republic of Karelia, Tula Region, St. Petersburg, and Volgograd Region have been given the opportunity to showcase their skills at the tournament in St. Petersburg.

Gymnasts and group teams from different regions will compete under the Sky Grace International Association quota at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest

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Academy Life

Due to the emerging cases of mailings sent on behalf of the Alina Kabaeva Charitable Foundation representatives, we’d like to state that the foundation does not send letters and does not practice any fundraising.

Important information!

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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

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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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What was it like during the ribbon routine of Yana Zaikina from Volgograd? Watch our video to find out!

Motivational guidance, warm support, and a quick breakdown of mistakes from Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva

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Alina Kabaeva supported Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina before she went out for her clubs and ribbon routines, and also helped her to get into the right mindset for bold performances.

On the second day of the all-around competition at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest, the Olympic champion was right there by the gymnasts' side!

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Individual senior gymnasts received their medals based on the all-around results at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest. The gold went to Varvara Toporova from the Republic of Kalmykia, silver to Ulyana Yanus from the Omsk Region, and bronze to Anna Kamenshchikova from Belarus.

Here comes the moment all the hard work was for — the award ceremony!

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This is how the Olympic champion got Yana Zaikina from Volgograd into the right mindset before her clubs routine at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest!

"Enjoy yourself, look out there, and share your beauty with the people!"

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Following the completion of the junior all-around competition at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest, the program choreographer for Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, Irina Zenovka, and Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva discussed the gymnast's performance and her new leotard for the ribbon routine.

"I have goosebumps again"

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The Olympic champion helped Alexandra Borisova from Moscow overcome her nerves before stepping onto the carpet for the first time at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest.

"Where do you want to be? On the podium? Come on, go ahead!”

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The passionate support of the fans helped individual gymnasts Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina, and Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz achieve the three highest total scores across four apparatuses.

Bringing together highlights from our juniors' performances on the second day of the all-around at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest!

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The top three medalists are: the group gymnasts from the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy and the Russian national team, gymnasts from the Trudovye Rezervy All-Russian Athletic and Sports Society from Moscow, and the group gymnasts from Belarus.

And this is how the awards ceremony for the junior group exercise gymnasts went at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest!

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Medals were presented to Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, Ksenia Savinova from Gatchina and Anel Dinisheva Kazakhstan by Lyubov Charkashyna, the Belarusian National team Head coach and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, Natalia Nazarova, the General Director of the Yubileyny Athletic Facility, and Tatiana Kolesnikova, the President of the St. Petersburg Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and Director of the Zhemchuzhina Rhythmic Gymnastics Center.

Let’s watch the full medal ceremony for the junior individual gymnasts at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest!

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Before the start of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest, the Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva met the head coach of the Russian national rhythmic gymnastics group team, Emanuela Maccarani.

The meeting between the Olympic champion and the head coach of the Russian national rhythmic gymnastics group team, Emanuela Maccarani

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On the first day of the tournament, the gymnast delivered the top score across the two apparatuses. Following the performance, came words of support and an important piece of advice: Yana has already outgrown this routine, which means new goals and the next step lie ahead.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva helps Yana Zaikina from Volgograd to set up for her ball routine at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest

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At the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest, Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva helped Ksyusha Savinova from Gatchina get into the zone before her ball routine and reminded her of the essentials: don't relax, hold the shape, and finish every single element.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva helps Ksyusha Savinova from Gatchina get into the zone before her ball routine

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Following the first day of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest, Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz took third place. Let's watch how Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva psyched the gymnast up before her ball routine and helped analyze and correct her mistakes after the performance.

"Don't give up, understand? Keep getting cleaner and cleaner"

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It is important to watch the apparatus until the very end and precisely calculate every throw. Let's watch how the gymnasts polished the difficult point step-by-step to achieve a flawless execution.

Alina Kabaeva reviewed a ball exchange with the junior group exercise gymnasts and drew their attention to the details

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Alina Kabaeva reminded the junior group exercise gymnasts of the need to stay calm and focused until the very end of their routine.

"One for all and all for one!"

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Alexandra Borisova from Moscow and Varvara Toporova from the Republic of Kalmykia showed their hoop and ball routines at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest.

The first day of competition is over!

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MA Academy

It was held jointly with students from the Sirius Federal Territory multidisciplinary gymnasium.

Participants of the open training session at the Sirius Arena share their impressions

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And the Olympic champion returned the sentiment. Featuring this sweet moment!

Fans at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest gave Alina Kabaeva a warm welcome

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Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva said goodbye to Yana Zaikina from Volgograd and Ksyusha Savinova from Gatchina, wishing the girls composure and confidence. She then checked on Veronika Malinina’s progress and encouraged her fighting spirit.

Words of support and motivation before the start of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest!

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Before the start of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest, the Olympic champion offered words of encouragement to Yana Zaikina from Volgograd, noting that everyone makes mistakes, the key is not to get discouraged and to keep working.

"So what if you dropped it? That’s sport!"

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The ball was presented to the general director of the sports palace, Natalia Nazarova.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva signed a ball for the Yubileiny sports center, which is hosting the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest these days

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Featuring how the meeting went and the amazing emotions it brought to the participants.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva met with fans at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest!

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Ksenia Savinova of Gatchina, Yana Zaikina of Volgograd, Alesya Naifonova of Vladikavkaz and our group exercise juniors came out on the floor and showed what they worked on during training.

The first day of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest

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They also discussed the upcoming Alina festival, which will be held in India for the first time this year.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva met with group gymnasts from the Omsk region, Moscow, and the joint team representing Russia's constituent entities ahead of the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest

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Alesya is a member of the Russian National team and lives and trains at the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy. Her coaches are Alina and Irina Gusarova, and her choreographer is Ekaterina Belova.

Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva watched a training session by Alesya Naifonova from Vladikavkaz

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During the control training session for the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest, the Olympic champion spoke with the gymnasts and coaches.

Meanwhile, members of the Russian National group team from St. Petersburg presented Alina Kabaeva with flowers and thanked her for her support and faith in them.

"Congratulations to you all, girls! You did a great job!"

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And just yesterday, we watched the practice sessions in anticipation.

The third stage of the Cup of the Strongest is picking up the pace!

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Kazan — Moscow — St. Petersburg. Keep pushing forward, girls!

Ahead of the Cup of the Strongest, let’s look back at the previous stages!

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Training

Every gymnast knows that special feeling from successfully executing a risk or element!

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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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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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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The group team gymnasts from the Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy regularly finetune their skills in choreography sessions with Veronika Shatkova.

What changes have the gymnasts noticed after training with this Russia’s  Honored Coach? Find out in our video!

"Each routine has become like a little performance for us"

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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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While working with Sofia Dubrovina from the Yaroslavl Region, Alina Kabaeva analyzed the planche turn. The Olympic champion focused on leg stability, body alignment, and shoulder positioning. 

"The most important thing right now is getting the form right"

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In Novogorsk, Alina Kabaeva watched gymnast Sofia Dubrovina from the Yaroslavl Region. The Olympic champion assessed the athlete's physical attributes, asked her to demonstrate elements and risks, and gave some technique advice. 

"Why are you feeling sorry for yourself? Where there's a four, there's a five!"

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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.

Video

"She dreams of meeting you!"

The Olympic champion helps Varvara Toporova get into the right mindset for her performance with hoop

Yana Zaikina signs autographs following her successful performance at the third stage of the Cup of the Strongest