The women's team final of the World Student Games took place yesterday, with Japan (accompanied by former Ukraine internationals Alina Kozich and Sergei Butsula) winning gold, a lively Ukraine team the silver, and Russia bronze. Ukraine had been well in the lead till the final round when a relatively poor showing on vault (4th as a team) opened the door for Japan , who stepped up and took gold on their best piece, bars. The Russian team, comprising retired internationals (Myzdrikova, Lozhecko) and outstanding senior gymnasts (Polyan, Sazanova, Skoromudova), led the field on floor and vault but couldn't keep up the standard on bars and beam. Alena Polyan, who came third overall at the Russian national champinships this February, qualified to the all around as the highest scoring Russian individual and also leads floor despite a distressing fall on her first tumble (a very clean double layout) which left her in floods of tears. In second place on floor is her Volga Dis...
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.