Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Courtesy of the RGF Aliya Mustafina successfully defended her national title today with a convincing, if not totally faultless, display, showing herself to be preparing well for the coming internationals.  She also led her Moscow team to a strong first position in the qualifying for team final, later this week. Aliya has now matched the illustrious Svetlana Khorkina for the number of national all around titles she has won (previously 2009, 2012 and 2013) although Khorkina's career wins were accured over a longer period of time - 1993, 1995, 1997, and 2002.  Looking fit and more energetic than at any period of last year, Mustafina shows much promise for the coming year if she can build on her early year training and continue to develop.  She looked especially strong on beam and floor, but suffered a deduction on bars, where she competed her 2011 routine but suffered a deduction when she hit a landing mat with her feet.  Mustafina's Moscow team mates Alla Sosn...