Aliya returned to Moscow on the final day on Russia Cup to work with one of the best physiotherapists in the world, said coach Sergei Starkin to Pravda today. We will fight for medals in Rio.
Watching videos of this weekend's competitions - the qualification and all around rounds of the Russian championships, medal winners from the American Cup - I am struck, more and more, by the huge difference between the American and Russian schools of gymnastics. It led me to ask the question : do artistry and acrobatics have to be mutually exclusive? (I am afraid that I think naming 'American' gymnastics a 'school' is perhaps lending an undeserved dignity to work which has become excessively obsessed with the difficult and the consistent, but I am using the word here so as not to label unfairly those individual gymnasts who are blameless in the direction of their training.) The FIG's vision for gymnastics is said to embrace more artistry; at least the publicity it has put about on the subject of its new Code makes that fairly plain. So perhaps the Russians, with their inconsistent brilliance and superior body carriage (Mustafina, Komova, Grishina, Afanasy...
Really hope, that best physiotherapists in the Europe are Cyrus from Consports. Bcz before London and Baku games Aliya was working with him and he helped her very much!
ReplyDeleteReading between the lines a little bit, I think it is a Consports physio who is flying to Moscow to help Aliya and to provide support and advice to Ksenia Afan. They are both in good hands and I know we all hope the very best for them x
DeleteHe is alredy at Round Lake
DeleteMaybe try something from Chinese Medicine!!
DeleteOh good this is somewhat reassuring. I was a little worried she'd pulled out due to aggravating an injury, just because we know she's usually stubborn about competing even when it's not necessary for her to prove herself. Glad to hear it's nothing new to worry about and I hope the physio can help her (and Afan) get ready for the final stretch!
ReplyDeleteYa! That's true!!
DeleteI trust Aliya to be ready for Rio, even though she looks a mess rn and has health issue. She has the strongest mental game out there
ReplyDeleteNo! There isn't a mess!
ReplyDeleteIf Mustafina is in Rio I expect her to surprise us in a good way I am not concerned for her as she has shown time and time again she can hit when it counts. I am more concerned for Afan in addition, does anyone know if Spiridonova is injured? I know she was never great on beam but she missed every beam routine this championships and did not even win bars.
ReplyDeleteGo Aliya! We believe in you!!
ReplyDeleteMustafina is the fiercest Russian competitor since Shushonova. I am really not worried about her. since I have watched her compete from 2010 up to now she never really gives 100% up until the major competition. Remember London? they have predicted her to doomed after the injury. but she is ended up to be the most be-medaled gymnast of the games. She will surprise us come and see.
ReplyDeleteI am really not worried about mustafina. She is the fiercest Russian competitor after Shushonova. Eversince I have started to watch her from 2010 she never really gives her 100% up until the major competition. She is full of surprises and she will give us a show in Rio come and see. Remember London 2012? they have predicted her doomed after the Injury. but she ended up to be the most be-medaled gymnast of the games and the only russian to won a gold in WAG
ReplyDeleteI was wondering a few things. If Afan can do Rio, will she do beam? Because if not wouldn't that leave Daria for beam in team final!? So if Afan can't do beam do you think she should replace Seda?
ReplyDelete1 as per a previous post, Rodionenko has already said that if Afan competes at all, she will do only floor. Beam is the most difficult apparatus for any kind of foot injury.
DeleteI do not think she should replace Seda or that Seda should be replaced under almost any circumstances as she has a strong programme and can do all around. I cannot imagine how the team format will work with or without Afan, and who they would drop if she can compete. I can only think that the focus of selection will go to team finals, with a very pragmatic attitude to quals, Therefore it might not be that surprising to see Spiridonova on beam and/or maybe even floor, and perhaps Paseka's position on the team as a vault specialist may be in jeopardy.
Key dates coming up - 18 July for reg of athletes with the Rio Olympics organisers (although I expect substitutions can still be made)
20 July - official release of teams to the ROC
24 July - teams to travel to Brazil for warm weather training.
Before travel to Brasil russian athletes inc gymnasts will meet President Putin in Kremlin on July 22 :) and the Russian Flag will be raised in Olympic village on 3 august http://tass.ru/sport/3437499
Deletethank you :)
DeleteThe cannot drop Paseka because she can add so much more to team total than Spiri. They have enough girls who can score high on bars. Plus Paseka is a podium contender for EF. The decision would be so much easier if Afan cannot compete. Really how realistic is it for her to recover difficulty after surgery in such a short amount of time.
DeleteAs much as I'm happy for Seda she really scares me. I have a bad feeling that her falls will cost Russia a medal. I hope wrong but statistics are not on her side.
Btw that physiotherapist from Germany also working now at Round Lake with Paseka to.
ReplyDeleteNew and Big Aliya Mustafina interview from today :about Rio, friendship in int gymnastics world, preparation to the Olympics and that the main goal to Mustafina in Rio will be to help her team :) http://www.championat.com/other/article-251468-gimnastka-alija-mustafina--o-podgotovke-k-olimpiade-2016.html
ReplyDelete