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'Mustafina will fight for gold, Nabiyeva is very beautiful' - Valentina Rodionenko

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Tatiana Nabiyeva at the recent Universiade, where she won a gold medal with her team
Lupita has been translating for us, the words of Valentina Rodionenko on the forthcoming worlds.

Aliya will fight for the AA gold. I think that her rival is Larisa Iordache from Romania, who has a very strong beam. Her technique is very original. On floor Aliya and Larissa are at the same level. Aliya is better on vault and, of course, bars. Her routine is more difficult than the one she performed at the London Olympics. For instance, she does the Shaposhnikova with a 360º twist. Very few gymnasts have performed this element we will see in Antwerp. So lets’ hope…

On Nabiyeva, Valentina has also said : 'she has become thinner now, she is a 'krasavitsa' right now (beautiful woman).


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  1. Susana20 September 2013 at 12:39

    Even when she tries to compliment her gymnasts she sounds awful.

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    Replies
    1. Unknown20 September 2013 at 13:31

      Really, Rodionenko? Mustafina is a very talented fighter who will challenge for the gold and Nabiyeva is "very thin"? Someone please fire this idiot.

      Delete
    2. Queen Elizabeth21 September 2013 at 14:15

      Please note the altered totranslation above .. apparently she said that Tanya had 'become thinner', not that she was 'very thin' ... a small difference and the same meaning but altered out of fairness to Valentina.

      Delete
  2. Unknown20 September 2013 at 14:56

    Love how she completely ignores Biles and Yao who will most likely beat Mustafina if that's the case.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous21 September 2013 at 16:30

    Uh no, Valentina. Aliya's greatest rival is definitely Biles! I don't think Iordache will be able to challenge solely due to her bars weakness. Biles, on the other hand, has a strong and consistent Amanar, and if she can manage to be consistent on her other events (like she was at National Championships) she would have a great shot at AA gold. That said, I'm still rooting for Aliya! However, I hope she only debuts the TTY if she really is ready for it because I don't want to see another ACL tear.

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