Skip to main content

Tutkhalyan and Kuksenkov for Stuttgart; Spiridonova leads the teameffort

Image
By


As per the original published plans, Seda Tutkhalyan and Nikolai Kuksenkov will compete at next week's World Cup. This is a great opportunity for the gymnasts to test their early year preparations, with both gymnasts in contention for an Olympic spot. 

After Maria Kharenkova missed an appearance in Glasgow this week, thanks to what Valentina Rodionenko described - quite grumpily- as administrative problems in the processing of her visa, this will be Russia's female debut of 2016.  On the men's side, David Belyavski competed in the AA yesterday in Glasgow but had an inconsistent competition to finish well out of the medals, while British hero Max Whitlock stormed the gold.

Albert Starodubtsev's TASS report makes much of Aliya Mustafina's 'absence' from the World Cup thanks to her continuing rehab, but Russian Championships have always been planned as the gymnast's first competition this year.  It was indeed rather surprising when Valentina used Aliya's name in an impromptu release a few weeks ago, as Tutkhalyan's name has always been the only one on the roster, recovery times for Mustafina's type of knee injury are known to be fairly significant, and - surely - preserving Russia's gold potential for Rio should be a priority.  

Fans shouldn't be worried by this.  It is not a withdrawal, it's a strategy.  It is also yet another occasion on which Valentina's reported plans for Mustafina's career have proved to be untenable, questioning whether the political hold that the head coaches once had may be diminishing.  Don't get over excited about this though, as it may just as easily be a reflection of media inflation and Valentina's unerring ability to speak freely.

More interesting news is that Russia is sending a team to Stuttgart.  Led by the tough and ambitious - also the coach favourite - Daria Spiridonova, many of the younger gymnasts will get an opportunity to shine.  Most notably, Olympic hope Angelina Melnikova will compete.  We will also see Anastasia Dmitrieva, Natalia Kapitanova and Daria Skrypnik.  

This news is almost enough to make me want to book a flight to Stuttgart, but I doubt my purse could tolerate it ... However, it looks likely to be a fascinating competition for Russia.

And, just look - Russia has a reserve team!  This is fantastic news.

Source - http://tass.ru/sport/2733860




Labels:

Comments

  1. Kristina13 March 2016 at 22:00

    I suspect that Valentina Rod. meant that Mustafina might take part in the team competition - which she has done in the past - as a gentle start to the season. I don't believe she ever meant she would compete in the World Cup event. But, Elizabeth, do come to Stuttgart! I'll be there so be sure to contact me if you come.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous14 March 2016 at 20:43

    Where's Ekaterina Sokova???I miss her beam routine a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous16 March 2016 at 04:56

    Your Majesty, it seems like Yevgenia Shelgunova has got some big plans for 2016. Please check this out http://thegymter.net/2016/03/15/shelgunovas-epic-start-to-2016/

    Alfi

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nelli Kim - 'Russian gymnastics has closed in on itself' - Lupita translates

By
Lupita has translated this ITAR-TASS interview with Nelli Kim.  It's controversial, to say the least. Ed's note : much of the initial response to this interview - both here and in the wider gymternet -  has focussed on the detail of Kim's words and especially her comments about Viktoria Komova, and smiling.  But I think these have to be taken in context, and not too literally. Don't forget that just a day ago Andrei Rodionenko complained bitterly about the judging in Antwerp, calling Kim's behaviour 'aggressive'. Kim is responding to this here, and to the wider current context of Russian gymnastics.  What she is essentially saying to the Russian coach is 'get your own house in order, produce confident, disciplined, well trained gymnasts - stop complaining, do your job, and I will do mine.'   She goes about saying this in a somewhat long winded way and says some things along the way that seem contradictory, unfair, inappropriate even for th...
30 comments
Read more

Simone and the others - results and reflections

By
In the end, it was as predicted : Simone and the others, with Simone's teammate, Alexandra Raisman, providing the back up.  I do not need to point out that, by definition, the Americans are scoring significantly higher marks than the rest of the field.  Congratulations to them! Aliya Mustafina finished in third place.  The 2012 bronze medalist led the competition after vault and uneven bars, but had a very nervous outing on beam that might have taken a less experienced gymnast out of the medals.  A bravura performance on floor brought Aliya back though to confirm her third place all around.  From her senior debut in 2010 to today, Mustafina has continuously set high standards of grace.    It is the first time since 2000 that a gymnast (Amanar) has medalled in the all around at two consecutive Olympics, and  if Aliya can medal on Saturday's uneven bars final, she will once again be Russia's biggest medal winner of the women's gymnastics.  Russ...
56 comments
Read more

Viktoria Komova - apology

By
Viktoria wrote some hasty words last night in the heat of the moment.  We all have such times, when hurt feelings lead us to behave uncharacteristically.  It is not important what she said; it is important that Vika has reflected and wants us all to read this message which she published on VK.com this morning. "Dear friends! I want to apologize for my statements about American girls, about drugs, all my words were spoken on emotions. Of course I haven't any proof and didn't really mean it and so on... I am so sorry. I want to apologize for my character to all of you". Vika, we are still with you every step of the way.
38 comments
Read more

RRG Archive - scroll by date, from 2024 to 2010

Show more