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Two for Tokyo

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We're all wondering ... who will make the Russian team this autumn? With Mustafina out of the mix, and Komova looking doubtful, it will surely be down to Dementyeva and Nabieva to provide the fireworks, Afanasyeva the backbone ... but who will back them up?

Will the Russians look to well-tested veterans like Kurbatova and Semenova to baseline the team, or will relative newcomers provide some zest and depth to round out the picture? Can the Russians surprise us by progressing some of their juniors to senior level?

The names of Maria Paseka and Tatiana Sovolyova come to mind ... Paseka vault and floor, Sovolyova bars and beam. It's quite some time since either have been seen competitively, but I dare bet they will be encouraged to train as hard they can to take their opportunity ...

Tatiana Sovolyova, beam, Moscow championships February 2010



Or watch it on Youtube.

Maria Paseka, floor, Russian championships December 2009



Or watch it on Youtube.

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  1. singingtelegram18 June 2011 at 05:48

    I would cry with joy if Semenova and/or Sovolyova were at Worlds. I do expect they'll take Belokobylskaya after her success at Euros.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Queen Elizabeth18 June 2011 at 08:43

    Hi Mr Singingtelegram, what tune is your comment set to?
    I agree actually - unaccountably Belokobylskaya slipped my mind as I was preparing this post. But she is a wonderful gymnast on floor and on beam - I think she will be in contention for a place on the team.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous18 June 2011 at 10:03

    Paseka is reportedly out with injury for the remainder of the year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. singingtelegram19 June 2011 at 06:04

    I like Belok... Yulia very well. She has beautiful gymnastics and I wouldn't mind at all seeing her at Worlds. I would just be soo happy to see Semenova or Sovolyova competing there because I love them both so much. Does that answer your question?
    It's Ms. Singingtelegram btw. Lol)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Queen Elizabeth19 June 2011 at 10:40

    Aah. I'll be careful to set your comments to a tune that don't require a baritone, then. x

    ReplyDelete

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