Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

2012 Olympic prospect Anastasia Sidorova made a successful return to competition this weekend at Hungary's Eva Kanyo Memorial event. Anastasia will turn 16 next 28th September and is coached in Rostov on Don by Olga Sagina, at the same club as former Russian Olympian Elena Produnova. You can find a summary of a 2008 interview with Anastasia here . This was Anastasia's return to international competition following a wrist injury incurred whilst riding her bike in the spring.  It is fairly clear that she is returning to full strength, with a high beam score of 15.166 and an overall total of 56.748, not bad for a gymnast who still struggles relatively on uneven bars (13.366).  The competition was broken down into senior, junior and adolescent (to me, baby), with World Championships reserve team member Alyona Polyan taking the senior competition and youngster (born 28th November 1999) Maria Bondareva winning the youngest division.  Bondareva is a member of the nationa...

Full results for this competition can be found at the DTB Cup website and below, if you have a magnifying glass.  I promise, one day, to work out how to do screen captures better. Russia did rather well, taking both the men's and women's team titles.  In the all around, Yulia Inshina took the bronze medal, while Emin Garibov finished 5th for the men.  I like the new generation of Russian men who compete with great motivation, energy and lightness of foot.  The women's all around results linked to videos are also available at Full Twist . I'm delighted to see the Russian women's team do so well, even if things didn't go completely to plan ... very, very sorry that Aliya couldn't compete as expected - she did look upset - but some uncertainty is the nature of recovery from such a difficult injury and it's best to follow doctor's orders in order to be ready for the big fight in London next summer! All three team members - Polyan, Belokobylskay...

I'm sure you will have read by now that our Royal Highness Queen Mustafina returns to competition this weekend.  The Gymnastics Examiner has all the details.  I understand that  Princess Yulia Belokobylskaya will  compete in the all around, thanks to Queen Afanasyeva's indisposition due to visa problems (why should members of the Royal Family need visas?).    In the meantime, Alan posted this lovely montage on his Facebook Aliya Mustafina Online site.  I wanted to share it with you. With thanks to the montage's creator, iLitter. The world of gymnastics is all the richer for the renewal and refreshment of our leader.

Queen Elizabeth is officially appalled.  Her flag (unusually, white blue and red) is flying at half mast.  Remember these names - Ksenia Afanasyeva, Viktoria Komova, Anna Dementieva, Yulia Belokobylskaya, Yulia Inshina, Tatiana Nabieva, Alyona Polyan - they are all consummate artistic gymnasts, fulfilling the requirements of the sport to be both artistic and dynamic.   They are a vibrant example of a dying breed, and they alone keep the sport alive. There is not enough time in the world for me to articulate the dissent and dismay I am feeling at present, after the women's all around final.  So for now, I will keep my silence.  Other than to offer my sympathy - and congratulations - to Viktoria Komova in particular, and Ksenia Afanasyeva and the entire Russian team in general.   But shortly, in the not too distant future, I intend to produce a review.  A state of War may shortly be declared.  A War of Words. That is all I have to say a...