Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Full results for this competition can be found at the DTB Cup website and below, if you have a magnifying glass.  I promise, one day, to work out how to do screen captures better. Russia did rather well, taking both the men's and women's team titles.  In the all around, Yulia Inshina took the bronze medal, while Emin Garibov finished 5th for the men.  I like the new generation of Russian men who compete with great motivation, energy and lightness of foot.  The women's all around results linked to videos are also available at Full Twist . I'm delighted to see the Russian women's team do so well, even if things didn't go completely to plan ... very, very sorry that Aliya couldn't compete as expected - she did look upset - but some uncertainty is the nature of recovery from such a difficult injury and it's best to follow doctor's orders in order to be ready for the big fight in London next summer! All three team members - Polyan, Belokobylskay...

Yulia Belokobylskaya and her coach, Nadezhda Dolgoshina.  There is something quite exquisite about watching Yulia Belokobylskaya in competition. A quiet determination to execute her skills with accuracy, certainly, but something extra ... beneath the conscientious attitude of a developing sports professional, I sense an emotional depth to her performances. Perhaps this is expressed best by Yulia herself : 'I dream too much'. Keep on dreaming, Yulia! Still only 15 years old (born 14th December 1995), Yulia's mature performances at this year's European and World Championships belied her tender years. Earning a bronze medal in the floor event final in Berlin this spring was her first major international achievement, and she contributed strongly to the Russian team's silver medal at this October's World Championships. Now Yulia is rewarded with an opportunity to compete at this weekend's DTB Cup in the all around competition. This could count as her ma...

I'm sure you will have read by now that our Royal Highness Queen Mustafina returns to competition this weekend.  The Gymnastics Examiner has all the details.  I understand that  Princess Yulia Belokobylskaya will  compete in the all around, thanks to Queen Afanasyeva's indisposition due to visa problems (why should members of the Royal Family need visas?).    In the meantime, Alan posted this lovely montage on his Facebook Aliya Mustafina Online site.  I wanted to share it with you. With thanks to the montage's creator, iLitter. The world of gymnastics is all the richer for the renewal and refreshment of our leader.