Mustafina and Ablyazin in Israel - an interview AND INJURY UPDATE

Aliya Mustafina and Denis Ablyazin in Tel Aviv.  Photo credit : Oren Aharoni at YNet at http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4527406,00.html

Amit Finkel has linked to the following article on his Facebook page, with a nice translation.

Google translate:

 

Gymnast and Olympic champions quietly came to Israel with the Russian national team for a 10-day visit. Gymnasts are touring the country and enjoy everything Israel has to offer, but in order to keep fit also spend two hours a day in the gym at Hadar Yosef.

 

Alex Shatilov (called Stelov in the Hebrew version) said "I'm coming with the Russian team practice twice - three times a year, and they get me great, so we returned them and host them. It's a good change of scenery, and each also studying other ".

 

Mustafina: "The hall is good and the conditions are ideal., I do not see any differences between what is here and Russia. We have friends here, and this is the second consecutive year we practice here in anticipation of the next season. Did not come to get gear, but simply to make little things they worked training and now need to improve"

 

Abliazin: "We came also to rest and relax, because this training camp and recovery without much effort. We come an hour or two, just to make repairs exercises. Everything here is great and apparatus are the best in the world, and they are also new. Accept us with all the heart, And I love the country and Tel Aviv. "

 

"The Olympics is still far"

Only recently held European Championships in Bulgaria, where Abliazin won gold in the floor (and Stelov Bard), and acquired three more medals. Conversely, Mustafina went less well, and yet it has achieved Silver and Bronze uneven bars and balance beam competition group.

 

How would you summarize the European Championship?

Mustafina: "I did what I planned to do, and that's just to help the team. This was the main goal and I got what I wanted."

Abliazin: "I could not ask for more."

Stelov rivalry continued, this time you are finished first.

"It's fine, if it continues, I'll be more than satisfied. Ever I win and sometimes is, this rivalry is good and healthy. Impossible to win all the time. Way share it with someone else, and if it is also your friend, then even better ".

 

How about Israeli gymnasts?

Abliazin: "There is a good level, they work and train properly, and Sanya (Stelov) is my toughest opponent."

Mustafina: "Of course everyone knows Stelov, but you are getting better and there is a younger generation begins to move forward."

 

Started thinking about Rio Olympics?

Abliazin: "I do not look that far. I practice every year for the current season and beyond, and if I carried on like I get ready for the Olympics, but generally there are many more tournaments. I first plan to reach them and achieve the criterion. Before all have great competition in Russia determining the team, and nothing is guaranteed"

Mustafina: "The Olympics is only two years, so for me it is more distant event there are many more to go before we get there. Meantime go up a gear and difficulty level to be more successful at the World Championships."

 

Just before they left the warmth Tel - Aviv, wait Mustafina and Abliazin two fans. Best Companies Efrat and Noam girls 13th, made it all the way from Misgav north, traveled two hours by train, boarded the bus and came to the hall to meet their heroes. "We heard they were in the country and we did everything to get here," said the girls. "We're exercising and kept them under surveillance at the European Championships. Wanted to get to see them up close."

 

Mustafina happy to be photographed with the girls, and said: "Russia recognize me all the time, and so wherever I arrive. Always waiting for me girls who want to get autographs and pictures, and I'm glad that here it happens to me."

Elsewhere, I have heard that long-time sweethearts Denis and Ksenia Semyonova, who travelled together to Israel, plan to marry around the end of this year.  Happiness to them both!

UPDATE : Valentina Rodionenko has now confirmed that Aliya will travel to Germany mid-June for an assessment of the ankle pain that restricted her activities in Sofia.