Melnikova, Tutkhalyan, Mustafina

Angelina Melnikova confirmed her position as Russia's leading AA gymnast today at the Russia Cup in Penza, taking gold over the two days of competition, ahead of her close colleague Seda Tutkhalyan, and Olympic champion from 2012, Aliya Mustafina.  Mustafina surprised by...

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Aliya Mustafina 'Big Interview', Mir TV

There is a great interview with Aliya at http://mir24.tv/news/sport/14596761In Russian!  Some edited highlights from the written commentary beneath - 'We always sleep between workouts [in the afternoon] because sleep helps recovery ... We go to bed and get up at the...

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Afanasyeva to miss Russia Cup, but hopes for Rio

Twice World Champion Ksenia Afanasyeva will miss Russia Cup later this month to recover from surgery to her ankle, reports TASS this morning.  The vault and floor specialist flew home from Munich on Saturday.  This is the fourth operation that Ksenia has had to a torn...

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Elena Eremina - straight Tkachev

   Eremina in 2016St Petersburg has a tradition of great gymnastics - from 1980 and 1988 Olympic Champions Alexander Detiatin and Elena Shushunova, to this year's Junior European Champion, Elena Eremina via  World Champion Tatiana Nabiyeva and European beam champion...

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FIG clears Vera Kiryashova of judging impropriety

   Coach and judge Vera Kiryashova with one of her world champion gymnasts, Tatiana NabiyevaTASS (Albert Starodubtsev) reports that Russian WAG judge Vera Kiryashova has been cleared of biased judging at last year's World Championships.  The well known judge,...

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Paseka back in time for Rio; Komova confirmed out

A few sources in the Russian press have reported Russia's team news.  There is a little bit more information about Viktoria Komova's retirement, or rest break, and some good news about Maria Paseka.The news came clearly from Viktoria's own mouth - I cannot link to the video...

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Viktoria Komova - back pain has forced me to step down

I awoke this morning to a very simple statement from Viktoria Komova, on her vk.com site, which Papa Liukin has translated (via the IG forum): 'Dear friends, fans, and gymnastics lovers. Unfortunately back pain isn't allowing me to train to my full potential and get ready for...

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'Nothing is impossible' - Nikita Nagorny and the Russian men

The atmosphere surrounding the Russian male gymnasts at this year's European Championships was noticeably relaxed and happy as they made their way to their various medals.  This reflects not only a more stable competition performance, but also a refreshed dynamic within...

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'They call me crazy for thinking of 2020' - Ksenia Afanasyeva

Ksenia Afanasyeva was a supportive team captain at the European Championships.  Picture courtesy of RSport on InstagramKsenia Afanasyeva, once the baby of the 2008 Olympics team, is preparing for her third Olympic Games.  The shy, intense teenager has become an accomplished,...

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Aliya Mustafina - 'each medal is very special'

'I'm very happy that everything turned out well today  ... Each medal is very special.  The UK team made mistakes, so there was a wide margin [of victory]... But naturally, [what I did] is not enough for the Olympics.  I prepared well for beam and bars but I am...

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Congratulations, Russia!

Another gold medal for Russia's team in artistic gymnastics at the European Championships.  Russia now rules the sport in Europe, both men and women.  15 year old Angelina Melnikova scored the highest of all competitors across four apparatus; exactly as her team captain,...

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WAG Senior start lists are out - Afan does one, Mustafina three

Start lists are now available for tomorrow's senior team and event quals.  At present, the Russian roster  looks like this -Beam - Melnikova, Tutkhalyan, MustafinaFloor - Melnikova, Tutkhalyan, Mustafina Vault - Melnikova, Tutkhalyan, Afanasyeva Bars - Melnikova,...

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