Tatiana Nabiyeva at the recent Universiade, where she won a gold medal with her team Lupita has been translating for us, the words of Valentina Rodionenko on the forthcoming worlds. Aliya will fight for the AA gold. I think that her rival is Larisa Iordache from Romania, who has a very strong beam. Her technique is very original. On floor Aliya and Larissa are at the same level. Aliya is better on vault and, of course, bars. Her routine is more difficult than the one she performed at the London Olympics. For instance, she does the Shaposhnikova with a 360º twist. Very few gymnasts have performed this element we will see in Antwerp. So lets’ hope… On Nabiyeva, Valentina has also said : 'she has become thinner now, she is a 'krasavitsa' right now (beautiful woman).
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.