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‘15 years of labour’ - Melnikova

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A picture froMelnikova training update - the load is very heavy right now: she is building up strength for national champs in a couple of weeks’ time.


On bars, she describes herself as ‘like spaghetti’ - her body feels very heavy and she wilts at the top of her handstands, as if she can’t maintain her position.


On floor, she can’t take landings well - her Achilles hurts (she has complained of this pain last week, and is taking treatment for it).  She’s doing double layouts on the tumble trak, but isn’t landing them.  Her coach says it’s ‘normalno’ - ‘it’s OK’ - but I think this is a very difficult time for Gelya, and I hope she makes it to the championships without injury.  


Just prior to this time, over the winter, Angelina has been taking a break from training to concentrate on her business; she says that this year, the Olympic year, is very important to her.  The change in pace may well explain why she is feeling the effects.

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