Mustafina, Melnikova and Afanasyeva - Russia’s three divas train together to the tunes of Michael Jackson
M elnikova, Mustafina and Afanasyeva take creative control at Round Lake. You can see the video on Angelina Melnikova’s YouTube channel. They are discussing a new floor routine for Angelina; she wants to dance to Michael Jackson. Afanasyeva, 2012 Olympic medalist and a world champion on the floor, has been a choreographer for the national team for a few years now. She says, ‘Gel, first we need to understand the plan—what we’re actually doing.’ They discuss how many tumbles Angelina will perform, and where the tumbles will come in the routine. Angelina says, she likes ‘Billie Jean’, it’s her favourite … But Afanasyeva has other ideas, linking into the dance shapes she has seen in a video: ‘Thriller . Start with Thriller . It begins with that image, right from the beginning when it starts.’ She shows us the dance. ‘I suggest taking a 1.5-minute or 1-minute segment of the dance directly.’ They promise to be in touch by email. ...

Leonid Arkayev for Aliya's coach!
ReplyDeleteThe whole Russian team to run up hill!
Better dance training that includes other types of dancing besides ballet!
More tumbling drills instead of walking while drinking coffee!
Get a better vault coach!
Fix the helicopters legs!
Get rid of Valentina!
All of the above, plus better conditioning!!! They need to be in shape.
ReplyDeleteRussiafan
to stop taking one week breaks every 3 weeks
ReplyDeleteYes! I agree the best approach towards the russian teams success is better conditioning, better vault training and a coach for aliya!
ReplyDeleteI have always supported the return Arkayev after Alexandrov resign
DeleteI have been calling for him since Alexandrov left. The guy made the Soviet tradition and headed the federation for ages. He is knonw the politics, strategies and the technicalities. He managed the Russian team to during the worst historical gymnastics time. He is the one who recruited Alexandrov. He advised the Koreans on building their vault capacity.
ReplyDeleteWhat else could be better?
Alfi
If they want to bet on artistry, they definitively need a better choreographer, Soviet if possible +a better choice of music.
ReplyDeleteFor those who want Arkayev or Rastorotski back, they are 74 and 81 so there might be someone younger.
They need better conditioning for sure. They need to hire a trainer specifically for that and get their butts in gear. No more walking around the lake, more like running three miles around the lake.
ReplyDelete