Anna Bessonova and her coach Albina Deriugina

All Rights Reserved – Dan Pickard

Ukrainian Grace, Anna Bessonova became World Champion eight years ago in Patras, Greece on 21st of September of 2007.

The year 2007 would also mark the start of a new challenge for Bessonova with rise of new Russian gymnast Evgenia Kanaeva, but Anna won all the gold medals in 2007 Summer Universiade beating Russia. Four years before in Budapest, she almost got gold in All-Around, but she could’t win Alina Kabaeva. Bessonova became audience’s favorite and was always surrounded by hundreds of fans in every single competition. But Patras was definitly her competition. She won the All-Around medal defeating Russians Olga Kapranova and Vera Sessina, against nearly impossible odds.

After a flawless performance with hoop “Avrora”,  judges scored this routine with 18,650. 

Anna Bessonova European Championships 2002

“Swan Lake” was one of a kind, becoming a masterpiece in Rhythmic Gymnastics