Eleonora Romanova could compete for Russia
Ukrainian gymnast, Eleonora Romanova could change her citizenship and compete under Russian flag, as Regnum.ru confirms. Elya didn’t compete with team Ukraine in the beggining of the season. We couldn’t see her at L.A. Lights, Miss Valentine or Ukrainian Championships. Some other rumours say that Romanova is injured. According to this website, Eleonora could soon compete representing Russia.
This weekend the first stage of Ukranian Championships were held in Uzhgorod. Anna Rizatdinova won gold medal while Viktoriya Mazur was second and, Anastasiya Mulmina third.
Ukrainian RG Federation spoke about this situation: “To sum up : Eleonora Romanova was staying with her parents in Krasnodon (region of Lugansk) after New Year and the coaches of the National team have been shocked to find out of her presence in Russia. Currently, neither the gymnast nor her parents have reached out to Ukrainian RG Federation and never informed the Federation of the wish to change citizenship. However, we are aware that she was seen in Moscow. Eleonora Romanova has been financed in full by the government of Ukraine and sponsorship during all the years of her stay in National team. Normally the preparation of an athlete of such a high level costs approximately 2-5 mln. USD.”
Ukrainian RG also said in their website: “Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation of Ukraine respects the rights of any person , including the athlete’s right to freedom of expression in accordance with the sports law . However, if you make this decision contributed to certain circumstances , which do not comply with the principles of the Olympic Code , then, of course , Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation for its part will undertake certain legal actions in full compliance with the principles of international sports law.”
Grand Prix Moscow 2016: Press Conference
Next weekend Moscow will host the first Grand Prix Series of the Olympic Year. Irina Viner-Usmanova, President of Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and Headcoach of National team confirmed some news in this interview.
Russian Yana Kudryavtseva, Margarita Mamun, Aleksandra Soldatova, Dina and Arina Averina, Senior Group, coaches and Russian Team choreographer were in this interview.
First of all, as Irina Viner-Usmanova said, Yana Kudryavtseva is not participating at Moscow Grand Prix. Yana is still recovering from her ankle injury and it is not safe for her to stress her joint that soon. On the other hand, Margarita Mamun who is ready, after an injury that prevent her to compete in Russian Championships in Kazan, is going to compete in Moscow . The first competition for Yana will be in Espoo (World Cup) or in Thiais (Grand Prix).
About Senior Group, they will have 2 really difficult routines, as they had in London 2012. Olympic Champion Anastasiya Bliznyuk was in this press conference as a member of the Senior Group.
Margarita Mamun has 4 new routines, which are really different from one to each other. She’s the top favorite for gold in Moscow. Aleksandra Soldatova, is competing in Moscow aswell, but as her coach said “she still has to improve”
The gymnasts will perform their routines on a scaffold, like they did in Montpellier World Championships in 2011. That’s why Irina Viner-Usmanova decided to build a similar one in Novogorks Training Center. More over, Russian Team will fly to Rio 17 days before Olympic Games start so that gymnasts will get used to weather conditions.
Miss Valentine 2016: Results
Viktoriya Mazur (UKR)- Photo by Kate Ianiuk
Miss Valentine Rhythmic and AGG Tournament begins today with UKR individuals leading the competition. Anna Rizatdinova, who is the favorite for gold medal, performed her new hoop routine with a top score of 18.500, the highest one for the moment.
Her teammate, Viktoriya Mazur is second for the moment and third, Aliya Protto from USA. Here are the provisional standings, after one day of competition:
Senior Individual
Miss Valentine 2016 Videos: Team Ukraine Training
Information about Miss Valentine 2016
“Miss Valentine” is one of the most famous international Tournaments in RG that held in Tartu (Estonia). This competition consists of: Rhythmic Competitions for Junior individual gymnasts, senior individual gymnasts and s and “AGG” Junior and Senior competition. Many gymnasts will show up their new compositions looking for Rio Olympic Games and European Championships, such as Anna Rizatdinova, who changed her hoop routine.
One of the highlights of this tournament is awarding the most graceful gymnasts with a special title of Miss Valentine, to accentuate also the artistic side of this sport.
The competition takes place from 11-14 February in Tartu, Estonia.
Livestream:
Schedule
Competition Venue:
A. Le Coq Sportshall
Ihaste tee 7
51013 Tartu
Estonia
Beggining of the season for Bulgarian National Team
Maria Mateva
Photo Copyright Dan Pickard
National Bulgarian Head Coach, Effrosina Angelova talked about the situation of Team Bulgaria to “Bnr.bg” in a recent interview. Since the beggining of February, Mariya Mateva is not training with the National Team.
“Mariya Mateva is injured and my opinion is that she could not withstand hard trainings looking forward European Championships that will be held in Israel in June”.
The first competition of the season for Bulgaria will be Grand Prix in Moscow, next weekend. Neviana Vladinova, who got a place to Olympics last year in World Championships in Stuttgart will represent Bulgaria in the first Grand Prix of the season.
On the other hand, the second senior group is not training together anymore due to an unexpected decision. One of the reasons could be because of the injuries of some members of this group.
Ina Ananieva, Head Coach of the Group also talked about her gymnasts:
“At this moment, I think the gymnasts are in good shape. I am delighted that we have no serious injuries. This year, for one composition we worked with Georgi Andreev. Second composition, with hoops and clubs, we are using music from the movie “The Matrix,” but we selected parts that are not so popular. It is such a strong composition. Our first competition will be next weekend in Moscow”.
Information about LA Lights 2016
L.A. Lights is an international Rhythmic Gymnastics tournament that is held in Los Angeles, California. The competition is also known as “The Tournament of Champions”.
There is a lot of expectation around this meeting, since top level gymnasts around the world will show their new compositions. Some of them, Melitina Staniouta (BLR), Anna Rizatdinova (UKR), Katsiaryna Halkina (BLR) and Carolina Rodríguez (ESP) will participate here perhaps with the same exercises as they will perform in Olympic Games in Rio.
Other names that are already confirmed are Anastasiya Mulmina, Eleonora Romanova and Viktoriya Mazur from Ukraine. From Belarus, Mariya Trubach.
- Thursday, Jan 21, 2016
Arrival of Delegations
Corporate Center Training
Coaches/Judges Meeting - Friday, Jan 22, 2016
Competition Begins - Saturday, Jan 23, 2016
Competition Day 2
2 Event Awards Level 4-8 - Sunday, Jan 24, 2016
Competition Day 3
2 Event Awards + All-Around + Event Gala - Monday, Jan 25, 2016
Departure
Margarita Mamun: Beggining of new 2016 season
World Team Champion, Margarita Mamun is working on her new routines, looking forward Olympic Games in Rio.
Last year was really successful for Rita, who won two gold and three silver medals at World Championships in Stuttgart.
“This year Rita has 4 new completely different exercises. They are all different: including music and elements. I can say we are even using rock music.” – says Amina Zaripova, Mamun’s coach – “For me this is the most interesting stage of the season ”
“The new compositions are made by our choreographer, Irina Zenovka, supervised by Irina Alexandrovna (Viner). We are working from the morning until the evening. This new routines will show a different “Rita”.
Margarita Mamun is opening the season in Kazan and Moscow (first stage of Grand Prix series) in February.
The very best of year 2015
The year that is previous to the Olympian one is always one of the most important moments during the preparation for Olympic Games. In adition, this year the European Games took place in Baku for the very first time in history. These are some of the most remarkable moments during the year.
Yana Kudryavtseva becomes European Games All-Around Champion
Russian grace won gold at the first European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan.
New Olympic Qualification System
- Only 15 countries (max. 2 per NOC) qualified directly from World Championships in Stuttgart. These were:
Russia
Belarus
Georgia
Ukraine
Azerbaijan
Israel
United States
Spain
Bulgaria
South Korea
France
Belarus
Greece
Japan - Olympic Test Event, with 26 participants including NOCs (ranked between 16-24 and the best 13 gymnasts not qualified in AA final in World Championships) have the possibility to qualify to OG. These will be the top 6 gymnasts, max. 1 per NOC.
- Brazil, as the host nation has an invitation.
- 3 invitations go to continents not qualified
- An invitation is also given by the tripartite commission
Yana’s incredible ball routine during World Championships Stuttgart 2015
Kudryavsteva was injured during WC.
Carolina Rodríguez will be the first rhythmic gymnast that will compete at Olympic Games with 30 years old
Jasmine Kerber announces her retirement
The American gymnast Jasmine Kerber decided to stop doing gymnastics after World Championships.
Margarita Mamun Euskalgym 2015: Photos
Margarita “Rita” Mamun is the Russian National All-Around Champion and two-time World All-Around silver medalist. Rita was born in Russia but his father from Bangladesh that is why she briefly competed for this country. Her mother is a former rhythmic gymnast.
During 2015 Rita won gold in World Championships Team Competition together with Yana Kudryavtseva and Aleksandra Soldatova. She as also awarded with Longines Prize for Elegance.
Her coach is Amina Zaripova a former rhythmic gymnast also from Russia, silver and bronze All-Around European and World medalist.
These pictures were taken during Euskalgym press conference and gala in Vitoria, Spain.
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“Championships are won at practice”
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