Anna Rizatdinova is the Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medalist in Rhythmic Gymnastics, a two-time World All-around medalist and a two-time and All-around bronze medalist in European Championships. Her book is the real story of an elite athlete from her chilhood as a gymnasts to the Olympic Games in Rio the Janeiro.
World Cup Guadalajara (Spain) 2016
Rizatdinova explained that life as a professional sportswoman is not as easy as it looks:
“My life was only focused in rhythmic gymnastics. My body and mind was all about sports. It is very difficult to be always ready to compete. I remember I had really difficult times.”
In 2014, Ukraine was involved in a political ongoing war. Despite of internal and external difficulties she continued her work and devotion to her dream.
“It is very difficult to prepare: both mentally and physically. I think that this time I will be very fit for this competition. We could not almost train in January and February 2014 due to political situation in Kiev.”
She opens up in an honest conversation with readers, revealing the backstage of Rhythmic Gymnastics and breaking common stereotypes of elite sport.
“In Olympic Games in Rio, the most emotional moment was when I was standing on the podium realizing my dream has come true.”
This book is a good advice both for parents and children throughout a sport. She talks about her experience as a gymnast, weight loss problems, mental breakdown, pre-competition stress, how to act under pressure and how to achieve your goal. On her book you can follow her career since her early life in Crimea to her top competition, the Olympic Games .
Anna said that after she left the sport, she started traveling, meeting friends and communicate with her parents.
Albina Deriugina, iconic Ukrainian coach, was an important person in Anna’s career. Albina died in March 2023.
Deriugina Cup 2017 was her last competition
“Many athletes have had an experience of depression on this background. You give up all of you into business, there is nothing but sport in life, because it requires full dedication and self-sacrifice. You have to fencing off yourself from friends and family, give up weekends and vacations. And when the sport ends, you ask yourself the question “What is my meaning in life now?” Such a question was in front of me. The dream came true. Where to go next?”
Anna said that after she left the sport, she started traveling, meeting friends and communicate with her parents.
Her great desire is my first secret. The recipe for her success was not in talent in the sense of data from nature. She described herself as an ordinary girl with short and slightly plump legs. At first she dreamed of joining the National Team, then of becoming the best in the national team, and then – the best in the world. She constantly set great goals: you should never give up.
Anna’s book is available in two languages in paper and Kindle version:
A few days ago, Russian Youth Olympic Games champion, Daria Trubnikova, announced that she will stop doing rhythmic gymnastics, by her own initiative. The gymnast recently said to Russian press that she thought about this decision “more than a million times”. Many people close to her were not conviced about this, since Daria was looking forward the next competition, Crystal Rose at Spartakiad.
“At that time I didn’t have time to prepare at Crystal Rose and I wasn’t at Spartakiad. We decided to end my sports career for Spartakiad. Basically it was just my decision. And contrary to popular belief, as many people think and say in our sport – it was my own decision”
Trubnikova was twice medallist at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires and is also a two-time European champion among juniors. She also was national Champion in 2020 with ball.
“Definitely, The Youth Olympic Games in 2018. This year was really difficult for me. The beggining of the season was not very good. And also, 2019, when I become a Senior Gymnast”
By the moment, Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials are banned indefinitely from competitions by International Gymnastics Federation due to the war conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Anastasiya Voznyak announced retirement last year after Olympic Games in Tokyo, her second participation as an Olympian.
Ukrainian Senior Group in 2015 and their iconic performance “Vogue”
Five days ago, she confirmed that she is back to gymnastics because she truly loves gymnastics.
“I enjoy every single moment of the training proccess. It is such an honour to be back and compite. I will represent my country at World Championships in Sofia. Nowadays many gymnast should retire very early, but I still feel strong, powerfull and with a lot of energy. I have a great desire to perform and compete for my country, especially now.”
Anastasiya worked also as a coach in Deriugina School. Ukraine is still on war against Russia, but the team is still training. A lot of young people in Ukraine is serving the military service and trying to protect the country.
Anastasiya Voznyak (UKR), in the middle
“My advice for the new generation of gymnast is to enjoy every moment in sports, take care, be healthy and believe in you”
World Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics 2022 will take part in Sofia, Bulgaria from the 14th to 18th of September.
Today, the Executive Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) expressed its measures concerning the Russian military invasion of Ukraine in the last days. Their motto is to protect the athletes from political pressure, since FIG is a sporting Committee. President Watannabe is offering help to the Gymnastics Community in Ukraine. The measures that FIG determined are:
Team Ukraine
The Russian and Belarussian national flags must not be displayed, and the Russian and Belarussian anthems must not be played at any FIG-sanctioned events until further notice.
All FIG World Cup and World Challenge Cup events planned to take place in Russia and Belarus are cancelled, and no other FIG events will be allocated to Russia or Belarus until further notice.
All FIG-sanctioned events planned to take place in Russia and Belarus are removed from the FIG calendar and will no longer be recognised by the FIG. No other events taking place in Russia and Belarus will be sanctioned by the FIG until further notice.
The European Gymnastics relaunch its election called ‘Gymnast of the Year’. You can all vote for your favourite gymnast of the last year on European Gymnastics website. The vote on social media is also allowed.
Alina Harnasko (BLR)Linoy Ashram (ISR)
The Executive Committee chose the four categories: Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Trampoline Gymnastics. This Committe is made up technical staff and fifty Federations.
Sofia Raffaeli (ITA)Dina Averina (RUS)Boryana Kaleyn (BUL)
Only five gymnast could be the best ones of 2021 in Rhythmic Gymnastics. These are:
The combination of dance steps consist on a sequence of movements with the body and apparatus dedicated to expressing the stylistic interpretation of the music. They have to be defined and according to the rhythm of the music.
The movements should include all the body segments (head, arms, shoulders, hips, feet, legs…).
Viktoriia Onopriienko (UKR)
Routines must have at least two dance step combinations. These movements should last eight seconds. During this time, the gymnast can’t do large throws or pre-acrobatic elements. The style of these movements should be in line if the character of the routine and music (classical, folkloric, modern…). • Any classical dance steps • Any ballroom dance steps • Any folkloric dance steps • Any modern dance steps • Etc.
Daria Atamanov (ISR)
Dance Steps Combination should include a variety of movements specifically used for the choreographic purposes of character and effect. BD such as “cabriole” jump, “passé” balance, etc. which have their base in traditional dance and a value of 0.10 may be included. 4.3.4. Movements in harmony with the rhythm 4.3.5. 2 modalities of travelling: the modalities of travelling (the mode in which she travels/moves around the floor area) should be varied and diverse, in harmony with specific style of the music and the character of the movements, and not generic movements across the floor (like walking, stepping, running) with apparatus handling.
The character of the routine and the Dance Steps should be in line
Source: RG Code 2022-2024
4.4. The Dance Steps Combination will not be valid in the following cases: 4.4.1. Less than 8 seconds of Dance performed according to #4.3.1.- #4.3.4 4.4.2. Static apparatus 4.4.3. High throw during S 4.4.4. Pre-Acrobatic elements during S 4.4.5. R during S 4.4.6. Loss of apparatus during 8 consecutive seconds 4.4.7. Loss of balance with support on one or both hands or on the apparatus 4.4.8. Total loss of balance with a fall of the gymnast during 8 seconds 4.4.9. The entire Combination performed on the floor.
Anna Rizatdinova was the bronze medallist in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Rio Olympic Games in 2016. Anna commented in a recent interview her point of view on the winner at the 2020 Olympics, Linoy Ashram fron Israel. “I was third, but Yana Kudryatseva made a mistake with clubs”.
Linoy Ashram (ISR)
“I agree that Yana had more difficult in her routines, but everyone had 10 points – the initial amount. I could only scored these 10 points with turns. Kudryavtseva did incredible things with the ball. Her ball control is unique. I admit that when it’s great, then it’s great. But she made a mistake and, nevertheless, she was in second place. If I made a mistake – God forbid, dropped a ribbon, a ball – there would be no talk of any bronze – it would be 6-7th place at best”
Rizatdinova gave an interview to the Ostrov YouTube channel.
Anna Rizatdinova (UKR)
Yana Kudryavtseva, also commented about this interview:
“I always respect all the gymnast and I have never said anything negative about them. But this time, I did not understand these words towards me. Anna Rizatdinova thinks that I didn’t deserve a second place in Rio Olympics 2016 due to my mistake in clubs. Well, the real price for me were my fans, audience. I am very proud of my position in Rio. My advice: accept your defeats.”
Anastasiia Salos (BLR), is selling her hoop leotard
As the last code said, a correct gymnastics leotard must be in non-transparent material; therefore, leotards that have some parts in lace will have to be lined (from the trunk to the chest).
This statement is common to the last code of points.
The pelvic area (with or without a skirt) should be covered with non-transparent material up to the hip bones and a small lace or transparent area for connection/decoration is tolerated.
On this code, the cut of the leotard at the top of the legs must not go beyond the fold of the crotch.
Alina Harnasko (BLR)
Leotards may be with or without sleeves
Teresa Gorospe (ESP) wearing a sleeveless leotard
The undergarments worn beneath the leotard should not be visible beyond the seams of the leotard itself.
Khrystina Pohranychna (UKR) wearing an example of the previous statement
The leotard must be all in one piece. It is not possible for a gymnast to wear a leotard and separate additional “socks,” “gloves,” decorative legwarmers, or belts. It is not allowed to decorate leotard with light-emitting diodes (LED)
On this code, a leotard with words or symbols is allowed if the design meets ethical standards and based on RG COP 2022-2024 Hair decorations were a point of controversy in the last COP. The hairstyle must be neat and compact. Decorative details are allowed but they must not be bulky and/or jeopardize the safety of the gymnasts. Hair decorations must be close to the bun/compact to the hair.
Arina Averina (RUS) with an example of hair decoration
The penalties are 0.30 point one time for rule is not met.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Info 