A mature and, mostly, happy Russian collective dominated the Universiade today in Kazan, taking the team title by ten points over their nearest rival, Japan, and leading qualification in each of the remaining competitions, including the top two places in Tuesday's all around (Mustafina and Afanasyeva). It was a confident, assured and relaxed performance from this experienced team whose only real error was by Afanasyeva on uneven bars (12.55), and much more gold is promised in the coming days. Russia's specialists had an opportunity to shine. 2010 World Team Champion Anna Dementyeva's beam routine was a real highlight, for me the best routine of the entire competition today and promising much for the fan favourite in Wednesday's event finals. Dementyeva's beautiful line, execution and lightness of touch did justice to her country's heritage of excellence on this piece of apparatus. Maria Paseka vaulted to promise and ended up in first place on her one ev...
Reporting and analysing Russian gymnastics since 2010. Includes original and exclusive interviews with leading coaches and gymnasts, and historical issues dating back to the Soviet Union. The first blog to report extensively on the sport using Russian language sources. I read, I argue, and I have opinions. Be warned.