Aliya Mustafina and Alexander Alexandrov - Wonderwall

A montage from E007y that just about says it all when it comes to this compelling coach/gymnast pair.  I do so love these videos.



And go to Gymnastike to view a video of the Russian team in training with Alexandrov at the 2011 World Championships.  They look disciplined enough to me.

Apparently the sports federations have meetings with Russian Sports Minister Vladimir Mutko on Monday to analyse the results of the Olympics and development plans for the coming years.  At this meeting the decisions of the Coaches' Council of the Russian Gymnastics Federation will be discussed, including the re-allocation of coaching responsibilities.  In an article in Izvestia, Alexandrov has said that the meeting was secretly videotaped, suggesting that the proceedings and decision to let him go were rigged.  I do not know if Mutko can overturn the decisions taken or suggest further or alternative measures be taken to re-establish calm and discipline at Lake Krugloye.

We'll continue to try to do what we can to find some clarity in this knotty situation.

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Interview with new WAG Head Coach Evgeny Grebenkin

Evgeny Grebenkin watched admiringly by Russian gymnastics supremo Andrei Rodionenko at the London Olympics.  Courtesy of the RGF.

While there has been so much talk about Alexander Alexandrov's departure from the role of WAG head coach, the appointment of his successor, Evgeny Grebenkin, has gone almost without comment.  If one positive thing can come out of the current brouhaha, I hope it will eventually be the emergence of a strong new coach at the top of the Russian gymnastics tree.  At 44, Grebenkin breaks the mould; he will have trained under the old Soviet system, but brings to the role the potential of a future for Russian gymnastics.  

Russia needs some young blood to take the sport forward towards Rio 2016 and beyond.  70 year old Rodionenko, 60 year old Alexandrov, 59 year old Alfosov ... these coaches simply cannot go on forever.

Grebenkin does not obviously have much experience as a head coach, but then again neither did Alexandrov when appointed to the role in 1988.  A technical expert in the uneven bars exercise, Grebenkin will have much to learn, and I wish him the very best of luck, trusting that the tradition of excellence and innovation he has established on the bars can be continued, and extended to include the other three apparatus.  

Putting to one side all the vitriol, it is true to say that Russia has not exactly fulfilled its 2010 promise on floor or vault, nor challenged the weakness in mental toughness that has dogged their competitive efforts for so many years.  Hopefully Grebenkin and his team, including Alexandrov as personal coach to Mustafina, can put that right in future.  One thing that will need to be addressed as soon as possible is Grebenkin's own conflicting responsibility as personal coach to both senior Diana Elkina and junior Ekaterina Baturina.  Surely the Rodionenko family cannot allow this contradiction to continue?  Anastasia Grishina's own personal training arrangements also need some solidifying as Sovietski Sport has apparently confirmed that Zelikson has stepped down as her coach.

In reading Lupita's translations of the many interviews with coaches over past days, I am struck by how little we really know about the emerging situation in Russian gymnastics at the time of the Olympic Games.  We are forced to rely on media representations from a variety of sources, which all may be distorted in one way or another.  And then we have the complicating factor of Valentina Rodionenko, whose sole purpose in life appears to be to upset people and stir up trouble.  

If Alexandrov's re-assignment as personal coach to Mustafina had been handled differently, we would be reading an entirely different story in the press, one that would cast much less negative light on the way the Russian national team is managed.  It is not unusual for coaches to be replaced, or for duties to be re-assigned, at the end of an Olympic cycle.  But Valentina's undermining of Alexandrov began early, well before the Olympics, and has continued.  Without her outspoken and often spiteful comments much of the press controversy need not have arisen.  Under circumstances driven by her, it was inevitable that conspiracy theories would emerge.  This has surely been to the detriment of the calm conviction and application that elite gymnasts need to be able to train.  As Aliya Mustafina's father, Farhat Mustafin, said in a recent interview, it seems that certain individuals have acted in an unethical manner.  

For now, though, let's move on, and read what the new WAG head coach wants to say about his new job.

Lupita, thank you for all the hard work!!

The interview appeared on the 26th September on the website of the Russian Ministry of Sport.



EVGENY GREBENKIN - Alexandrov and I have no complaints about each other

How do you feel after being named head coach of the gymnastics women�s team?

-You know, I feel no special emotions. I have been working with these kids for four years as a bars specialist. I�ll continue to work with them.

- A legal issue. Have you officially signed your contract?

-No, I haven�t signed anything so far.

- The Federation has not defined your work with the women�s team�

- No, not yet.

- You were named in a very nervous situation. Could this have a negative impact on the team?

-My nomination was quiet. Alexandrov�s replacement took place in a nervous situation.

- I have to ask you about your relationship with Alexander Alexandrov�

-I have a good relationship with him. I worked with Mustafina as I work on bars. We don�t have any complaints. After the meeting, we shook hands, spoke about what we would do in the future, who we would work with, which elements we would teach and so on. Now the athletes have to recover. The men rested after the Olympics. We will start the new quad step by step.

- Alexander Alexandrov said that he still doesn�t know if he will remain Mustafina�s coach. Do you know if he has made a decision?

-Today he came to the gym and worked as Mustafina�s personal coach. He is the only one who can say what his plans for the future are. So far, Alexandrov works in the gym, coaches. Everything is normal.

What are the next competitions for the national team?

- I have seen the competition calendar. The first tournament will take place in Stuttgart at the end of November. Yet all our Olympic gymnasts - as far as I know - decided not to compete there. They decided not to force the training and to quietly recover. As you may know, two American gymnasts got injured after the London Olympics when they performed in an exhibition. They �broke�, as we say. Maroney has already had surgery.

Before I was named head coach, the gymnasts decided not to compete at those tournaments. They�ll recover and we will work for the next quad. This year there won�t be tournaments for the members of the Olympic team. The junior team or a part of the first team will compete there. I mean those gymnasts who didn�t participate in the Olympics. 


I'm sure that all readers wish Evgeny the best of GOOD LUCK in resuming his new role at Lake Krugloye!!

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Natalia Kalugina interview with Alexandrov and Mustafina - video

This interview with leading gymnastics journalist Natalia Kalugina took place a few days after the Olympics.  Even then, it was clear that Alexandrov's continuing position as head coach of the Russian team was in doubt.  Thanks to Zarariel Kyora on Youtube for the video, and the captioned translations.

Please note : Lupita writes : There is a mistake in the captions.

When asked about training Mustafina in the future, Aleksandrov answers: �It will depend on her�.

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Bars coach Evgeny Grebenkin appointed as Russian WAG Head coach/Rodionenko makes a statement

Evgeny Grebenkin.  Courtesy RGF

Sovietski Sport has now announced that the council of the Russian Gymnastics Federation has appointed bars coach Evgeny Grebenkin as head coach of the WAG team.

Valentina Rodionenko made the following statement :

"On Monday took place the Coaches� board of the national team. The decision was made to relieve Alexander Alexandrov of his duties as head coach of the Russian team.

 

This decision was made because he is Aliya Mustafina�s personal coach. He�ll remain Aliya�s personal coach. He�ll be replaced by Yevgeny Anatolevich Grebenkin. We cannot have someone as head coach and as personal coach.  [Aleksandrov] bet on his pupil. We put up with this during a certain time. Then all the coaches� group rebelled. The medals are the result of a group�s work. Nobody understands why this is associated to a single individual. Gymnastics is not like athletics, where technique is taught by one coach and then the athlete runs. We have four events and each event has a specialist. The head coach has to organize work. Not to teach, because this is done by other people, but to organize. And the organization failed, - said Valentina Rodionenko."

44 year old Grebenkin from Volzhski has been the specialist bars coach for the Russian team this quad, and led the Russian team to a position of prominence on this apparatus, where they rival the Chinese for number one spot.  I very much hope he can make a success of his newly expanded responsibilities and bring Russia to a similar point in the all around and team stakes.

With thanks to Lupita for the link, and the rapid translation!!

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Alexander Alexandrov dismissed as WAG Head Russian coach

Alexander Alexandrov with Aliya Mustafina at the London Olympics.  Courtesy of the RGF.

UPDATE: Evgeny Grebenkin now appointed as WAG Head Coach.  Read about it here.

UPDATE: An interview with Alexandrov here suggests the reasons for his dismissal were personal and led by Andrei Rodionenko.  Alexandrov says his coaching contract with Mustafina lasts until 30 December, but after that he does not know what he will do.

Sports Express today confirmed the news that Russian WAG team coach Alexander Alexandrov has been fired from his job as WAG head coach.  The decision was made by a vote of the board of the Russian Gymnastics Federation, including some of the coaches of gymnasts who performed poorly in London, reports Elena Vaytsehovskaya.

Sources close to the Russian team suggest that Alexandrov will continue as personal coach to 2010 World Champion and 2012 Uneven Bars Olympic Champion Aliya Mustafina though this has yet to be officially confirmed and (updated 18.45) Alexandrov has now suggested it is doubtful he will continue beyond the end of December (see note below).  We still await an announcement of who will take over from the talented Alexandrov as head coach of the Russian WAG team.

60 year old Alexandrov rose to prominence in 1983 as coach to the 'Mozart' World Champion of gymnastics, Dmitri Bilozerchev, who at 16 was the youngest ever male World Champion of the time.  He has nursed talented gymnasts through two remarkable recoveries during his career: that of Bilozerchev from his life-threatening car crash in 1985 to World Champion in 1987; and the rehabilitation of ambitious Aliya Mustafina at the London Olympics this year following a serious knee injury in spring 2011.

Taking over from Andrei Rodionenko as head coach of the Soviet women's team in 1988, Alexandrov orchestrated one of the greatest women's team performances ever seen at the World Championships in Stuttgart in 1989, when the Soviets won the team title and took all three medals in the all around competition.  All six gymnasts performed in inimitable style, setting a standard of choreographic and tumbling excellence and originality that has rarely been reached since.

Alexandrov was to attribute his success in Stuttgart to his ability to get the coaches to work together as a team.  Ironically, the Russian team's failure to take gold in London 2012 seems to stem from a singular lack of team work amongst the coaches.  At a post Olympic press conference, Alexandrov was viciously attacked by Sergei Zelikson, coach to gymnast Anastasia Grishina who noteably failed to deliver her promise at the Olympic Games.  Central to Zelikson's argument was Alexandrov's position as personal coach to Aliya Mustafina: a team coach could not have a personal favourite, he said.  Alexandrov argued to the contrary, pointing to national team coach for rhythmic gymnastics, Irina Viner, who coaches four or five individuals in addition to her team responsibilities.  But it was all in vain, and today Alexandrov's dismissal was finally announced.

Alexandrov travelled to Mallorca with the national women's team earlier this month for their annual active holiday there, but noteable by her absence was young Anastasia Grishina who travelled privately abroad with her mother, Galina.  Grishina thus seems to have become a cypher for disunity in the Russian team.  The Russian Gymnastics Federation has yet to announce who will take over the mantle of Alexandrov.  But a key role he or she must fulfill will be to unite the coaches and integrate a team that most likely will include the vibrant talents of both Mustafina and Grishina.

Read an interview with Alexander Alexandrov here.
Read the proceedings of the post Olympic press conference, Taking Stock of the Olympics, here.
Read my commentary on the Russian problems at London here.

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Requena89's videos of the Russian team training in Mallorca

A few days ago I posted a link to a video of Maria Paseka training tumbling and bars, crediting the video to the Maria Paseka fan page on Facebook.  In fact the video was produced by Esther, or Requena89 on Youtube, who has since posted a whole collection of wonderful videos of the Russian team, including Dementyeva, Nabieva, Komova and Mustafina. 

Do take the time to visit Esther's Youtube channel to view these videos, which are giving arise to much speculation as to the possible content of the gymnasts' routines in the coming year!  And many thanks Esther, for taking the time to record, edit and post these valuable video records!

The team who travelled to Mallorca included Tatiana Nabiyeva, Alyona Polyan, Maria Paseka, Viktoria Komova, Anna Dementyeva, Yulia Belokobylskaya, Yulia Inshina, Aliya Mustafina and, some sources are saying, Anna Rodionova.  But no Ksenia Afanasyeva who seems currently to be involved in some extra mural political activity, and no Anastasia Grishina, who holidayed privately with her mother following minor leg surgery.  

Anna Dementyeva is scheduled to appear at competition in Mexico in October and Aliya Mustafina has just announced her intention to appear at a Gymnastics Gala in Antwerp in December in addition to the World Cup competition in Stuttgart this autumn. 

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"Vika, don't cry any more" - Lupita translates

Viktoria Komova's mother said : �The doctors told us that Vika should rest her injuries for at least eight months�  Picture courtesy of Komsomolskaya Pravda

Lupita translates here a 29th August interview with Viktoria Komova and her mother, Vera Kolesnikova, from Komsomolskaya Pravda.  There is a video at the link which is well worth a look.

All the people in Voronezh who were interested in sport, supported Vika Komova at the Olympics. They admired her skills, were saddened when an imperfect performance made her cry. We invited Viktoria and her mum and coach Vera Kolesnikova to our editorial offices, to ask what happened behind the scenes of the gymnastics� competitions.

- Vika, tell us about the Olympic village. In which conditions did you live, did you often meet other athletes?

- I shared a room with Ksenia Afanasyeva. There were two beds in each room. Everything  was functional, no excesses. Most of the time we trained, we didn�t go to parties. Everything was beautiful at the Olympic village: Olympic rings, interesting statues � a monkey, a turtle. We took pictures of ourselves around them. Our gymnasts came to visit. They came to weigh themselves. Denis Ablyazin, also silver medallist, was told to lose weight, which he did quickly. After the Olympics, I met my idol Svetlana Khorkina at one of the TV shows. She told me: �Don�t cry any more. You�ll reach all your goals. Even so, the girls and you are stronger than the Americans �.

- Did you manage to visit London?

- No, I didn�t. Only after the competitions, we went to Tower Bridge, saw a little bit of Big Ben. All very quickly, the night before our departure, we had to pack our luggage, we didn�t sleep.

- Which competitions were the hardest at the Olympics?

- The most difficult was the first day, - intervenes Vika�s mum, Vera Kolesnikova. � It was a selection for the finals and it was important to move to the event finals. It was very stressing. For Vika and for myself.

- After the Olympics did your relationship with Aliya Mustafina change? Is the new Olympic champion very full of herself?

- Not at all. Aliya invited me for the September 1. We are good friends.

- Is she your best friend?

- No, my best friend is Masha Paseka. She�s very joyful, smiling, positive, we spent most of the time together. She never cries.

- Tell us how you received the Audi?

- First we were at the President�s reception, then all our team went to receive their cars. I found mine very quickly;  it took me less than one minute.

- You will soon turn 18. Are you going to have your driving licence?

- My brother and I wanted to attend driving lessons, but I�m going to Mallorca on September 4th and I don�t know when it will be possible. So far my dad will drive the car.

- Do you already know what you�ll study after school?

- Not yet. I still have to finish secondary school and pass the exam at the end of next year.

- Did you have time to rest?

- I only slept a little. I don�t have time; I have to go to different places all the time.

- Did you have to train?

- Right now, the gym at Shtukmann�s school is being refurbished. Recently we went to Taneev�s, where there is tennis, handball and gymnastics. It�s not that comfortable, of course.

- Coming back to the Olympics, do you remember why you didn�t answer to Douglas when she approached you?

- I was very concentrated, I didn�t hear anything. I thought it was my coach.

- Did you congratulate Aliya immediately?

- I congratulated her right after her performance. After the coaches, of course. They all gathered round her (smiles).

- You often made errors in your landings. How do you explain this? 

 - I felt pain in my legs, and on dismounts, my knees hurt. I was not allowed to land deeply.

- What kind of music do you like?

- Different kinds: hip hop, rap, sometimes joyful music, sometimes sad. Classical music is not my cup of tea.

- Do you know the words 'I don�t want to'?

- Yes, for instance, I don�t want to get up early.

- Have your likes changed?

- No, I like pizza like always. Even if now I often eat watermelon. I love it.

- What is your dream?

- I want to go to Moscow, to go for a walk unnoticed, with the girls that I haven�t  seen for a long time.

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Maria Paseka training in Spain

As you will probably know, the Russian WAG team has travelled to Mallorca for their annual active recreation. Aliya Mustafina, Viktoria Komova, Anna Dementyeva, Tatiana Nabieva and Maria Paseka are there, amongst others - a full list of the names to be confirmed. (Anastasia Grishina has had minor surgery and is travelling to Cyprus with her mother.)

The girls are working out their competition commitments for the coming months, with Anna planning to appear in Mexico in October, and Aliya beginning her assault on the next Olympic cycle in December in Stuttgart. They return to Moscow tomorrow, 17th September.

Meantime, Maria Paseka has been hard at work on the apparatus and is evidently preparing new skills for uneven bars and floors. See the video below and reflect on the nascent brilliance demonstrated. Markelov to Gienger combination? That's exciting stuff!!!

Maria Paseka training video on Youtube.



With thanksto Maria Paseka on Facebook for the link.

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Remembering Alla Misnik - a Soviet star of 1981

Alla Misnik collecting her prize as 1981 Moscow News all around champion.  Courtesy RIA Novosti

I was yesterday reminded of the genius of Alla Misnik, who won three medals at the Madrid European Championships in 1981 (bronze all around, silver uneven bars, silver floor exercise, qualifying to all four event finals).  Misnik had travelled to Madrid with team mate Natalia Ilienko, who here managed a meagre silver medal on beam, but went on to win gold in team and floor exercise at the Moscow World Championships that autumn.  The same year Misnik had won the Moscow News tournament and, later, the USSR Cup, but sadly never competed at a World Championships.

Misnik was born in Kharkov, Ukraine on the 27th August 1967.  She was coached by Valentin Shumovsky, (whose team of young gymnasts also included 1978 Junior European beam and floor exercise champion, Natalia Karamushka).    Zaglada (2010) writes of Shumovsky's care in training Misnik to the peak of her abilities, despite a weakness in the young girl's spine which made her talent on bars, and one -armed balances on beam, all the more extraordinary.

Alla Misnik died of a stroke on July 11th 2006 at the age of 38.  But we can still marvel at these excellent videos of her innovative gymnastics at the 1981 European Championships (with thanks to GymnasticsHVMeets on Youtube).

Uneven Bars




Balance Beam



Floor




Read more on Alla at the Gymnastics Greats website and at Gymn Forum's excellent database.

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Viktoria Komova picture gallery

Things are a little quiet at the moment, though I do expect to update with a couple of interesting features in the coming week or so.  In the meantime, enjoy this picture gallery of Olympic all around silver medallist Viktoria Komova. 

Viktoria Komova, September 2012

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