Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

After two ankle surgeries in six months, World, Universiade and European Champion Ksenia Afanasyeva wasn't supposed to be at these Championships.  At the last minute, however, she made the decision to put in a showing and help her team.  Ksenia's face, most of all, shows how important her gymnastics is to her.  These pictures, by Elena Mikhailova for the Russian Gymnastics Federation, all convey an emotion, an atmosphere that is somehow unique to Afanasyeva. Welcome back, Ksenia . Thoughtful, before her first performance Imperious, eternally elegant A breathtaking leap Typical Afanasyeva .. Complex shapes, curves and angles Unique floor level movement Ksenia's eyeline, hands and foot draw the focus in one direction, just as the movement is about to turn the other. Balletic leap, caught in an off balance moment.  The angle of the head and arms provides a match to the position of the legs. Practising vault under the watchful eye of Marina Nazarova, Ksenia's coach since...