Natalia Garcia opens up about her gymnastics career

Natalia Garcia (ESP)

Natalia Garcia Timofeeva is a Spanish rhythmic gymnast who was born in Barcelona but her roots are Russian. Natalia Garcia and Polina Berezina were the gymnasts selected by Spanish National Federation to represent Spain in the World Cup Series. They mission was get a spot for Olympic Games in Tokyo, which was not possible.

Both Polina and Natalia declared that they were in the last months training non-stop. This season was really hard.

“I think I would not repeat this in my whole life. It was really hard for me. I don’t wish this to anyone. You can’t image how difficult this path to Olympics was. I tried to be on my best physical condition for European Championships. The day after the EC, I couldn’t even move, I was in too much pain. In my case, I needed to show that I was on top, many gymnasts were fighting to represent Spain in the international competitions.”

Natalia suffered from a few injuries during her gymnastics career. For the last years, she needed to adapt her trainings and warm-ups and decrease the level of her daily trainings. She underwent twice surgery (double hip) in 2017. After this, she got injured again.

I felt really alone. In the past, I had a team working for me and now, I don’t. My whole team suddenly changed. That’s why I use social media to promote and publish brands, because of money. I lived alone in Barcelona, my family lives in French Guyana, really far from me. My parents could not help me so I have learned to get by rathen than how to work, simply making a living.

I describe myself as a fighter.

“It is really easy to give opinions of an athlete, but the only ones that know the truth are family, coaches and team. People on social media was quite mean to me. Instagram is not my real life, it is just a tool to publish the best of yourself and what you really want to show of your privacy. I just use this app to get money”

Natalia spent last year some months in Russia for improve their exercises. My mother and grandmother were successful sportswomen in Russia and helped me to train with great coaches from this country. We were working from them since 2018. They are Ekaterina Pankova and Ekaterina Dementyeva.

Ekaterina Pankova was focused on her daily work and Dementyeva on her artistic exercises and choreographies. Monica Viñals, who was also her first coach, is now working with Natalia.

Natalia also designs her own leotards.

I am inspired of high couture designs or even dresses that I see on the red carpet. Then, I speak with the people that is going to sew it and my coaches, who advise me.”

Natalia Garcia wants to retire this year and wants to finish her gymnastics career in Spain.

“I feel really tired and I think my body needs to stop doing rhythmic gymnastics. Anyway I plan to do masterclasses and I have many projects related to rhythmic gymnastics.”

Source: Podcast on Spotify “La Zancada”

Advertisment Holidays campaign featuring Spanish team

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Once again, Spanish brand Freixenet is featuring Spanish Senior Group for their popular Holiday Campaign. “The Golden Bubbles” is the name designed for the group. The advertisment was recorded in Barcelona last month and will be broadcasted in December.

Spanish Senior Group (Alejandra Quereda, Elena López, Artemi Gavezou, Sandra Aguilar and Lourdes Mohedano) qualified second in Olympic Games in Rio 2016 just behind Russian Team and 4th in London 2012. The group became more and more popular in the last 6 years.

On December 28th, they will perform in an special event at Teatro Goya in Spain for this Holiday Campaign.

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Alejandra Quereda, captain

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Lourdes Mohedano and Elena López

Video about Rhythmic Gymnastics Training Center

Rhythmic Gymnastics Training Center “ISCA” is located in Russia. Its purpose is to promote Rhythmic Gymnastics. A hundred of gymnasts are currently training here. Olympic Champions used to train over here such as Anastasiya Nazarenko or Karolina Sevastyanova.

Daria Dmitrieva or Yana Lukonina (Honored Master of Sports, World Champions), are also working here as coaches. Also Anna Viktorovna Zhitkova is helping as a ballet coach.

Emotions in Rhythmic Gymnastics

Rhythmic Gymnastics is more than a sport.  Is an art that combines technical movements with expression and handling of an apparatus. This new code includes dancing steps and  artistic more than the previous codes.

Anna Bessonova

Anna Bessonova

Anna Bessonova was one of the most emotional gymnast and so that one of the most popular for the audience. She could perform both an elegant routine (Swan Lake) or a modern one (The Matrix).

Sometimes you can’t stop your feelings:

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Anna Bessonova could’t believe she was World Champion (Patras 2007)
Photo Copyright Bernd Thierolf

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Team Ukraine became World Champion in 5 Ribbons (World Championships New Orleans 2002)

And sometimes you just are not at your best:

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Natalia Godunko got injured but she decided anyways to compete (Patras 2007)

Moments before going onto the carpet, concentration is the key:

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Anna Rizatdinova (Kiev World Championships 2013)

But the routine didn’t go as it was expected…

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Anna Rizatdinova (World Championships Kiev 2013)

Coach and gymnast:

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Margarita Mamun and her coach Amina Zaripova

A medal is your highest achievement:

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Anastasiya Bliznyuk (World Championships Kiev 2013)

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Alina Maksymenko (European Championships Minsk 2011)

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Alina Maksymenko (World Championships Kiev 2013)

When you have to say “thank you” to the audience and their unconditional support:

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Uliyana Trofimova (Grand Prix Thiais 2012)
Photo Copyright Olivier Aubrais

The moment after the routine when you can relax and smile:
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Melitina Staniouta (World Championships Kiev 2013)

Friendship in Rhythmic Gymnastics:

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Almudena Cid and Inna Zhukova (Olympic Games 2008)

Portraits

The most beautiful portraits – back in time. Each professional picture instills feelings. Could you describe them?

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Anna Bessonova (UKR) / World Championships Budapest 2003
Photo Copyright Bernd Thierolf

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Olga Belova (RUS) / Grand Prix Berlin 2001
Photo Copyright Dirk Zimmermann

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Irina Tchachina (RUS) / World Championships Budapest 2003
Photo Copyright Bernd Thierolf

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Alina Kabaeva (RUS) / European Championships Geneve 2001

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Almudena Cid (ESP) and Liudmila Dmitrova / World Championships Budapest 2003
Photo Copyright Bernd Thierolf

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Evgeniya Kanaeva and Daria Dmitrieva (RUS) / European Championships Minsk 2011
Photo Copyright Viktorphoto

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Anna Rizatdinova (UKR)
Photo Copyright Enrico Della Valle

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Natalia García (ESP)
Photo Copyright: Fa Buleux

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Inna Zhukova (BLR)/ Grand Prix Innsbruck 2002
Photo Copyright Tom Theobald

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Liubov Cherkashina (BLR) /London Olympic Games 2012

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Dominika Cervenkova (CZE) / World Championships Budapest 2003
Photo Copyright Bernd Thierolf

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Almudena Cid /Jennifer Colino (ESP)
Photo Copyright TomTheobald

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Tamara Yerofeeva (UKR) / Grand Prix Innsbruck
Photo Copyright : Tom Theobald

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Svetlana Rudalova (BLR) / World Championships Budapest 2003
Photo Copyright Tom Theobald

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Maria Titova (RUS) / Grand Prix Brno 2013
Photo Copyright Bernd Thierolf

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Alina Maksymenko (UKR) / World Championships Kiev 2013
Photo Copyright Marianne Piquerel

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Alina Kabaeva (RUS) / Deventer Grand Prix

Who is going to retire from gymnastics this year?

After World Championships that were held in Kiev, a few gymnasts decide to stop doing gymnastics.

Alina Maksymenko, from Ukraine, decided to become a coach. “After World Championships, I will help in Deriugina school as a coach” – said Alina.

“I will continue training, in fact I will compete until the end of the year.  After this, I am not very sure yet, but probably I may only compete in national competitions. I would also like to help little gymnasts to become rhythmic gymnastics stars”.

Source: http://rg.sport.ua/news/201933

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Silviya Miteva, from Bulgaria is another individual gymnasts, with a long career that decide stop doing this sport.

Silviya will be at Euskalgym Gala this year

Since 2003, Silviya competed for Bulgaria (World Championships Budapest 2003). She won bronze medal in Ribbon (Mie WC 2009, Montpellier WC 2011 and EC Vienna 2013).

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Marina Fernández, former individual gymnasts from Spain and group gymnast (in 1st group since 2013) said she will retire. Marina didn’t attend to World Championships because of a technical decision of her coaches.
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Anastasiya Nazarenko

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Anastasiya Bliznyuk

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Kseniya Dudkina

Russian group will be compounded by new gymnasts, since Olympic Champions Anastasiya Bliznyuk, Anastasia Nazarenko and capitain of the group, Kseniya Dudkina.

The team from Russia performs during the rhythmic gymnastics gro

Alina Makarenko retired after suffering from a knee injury.

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Caroline Weber said goodbye to gymnastics after Vienna European Championships.

More about Caroline’s achievements: https://rhythmic-gymnastics.info/2013/05/31/happy-birthday-caroline-weber/

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Darya Dmitrieva, finaly won’t continue training and retires.

European Championships Vienna: Day 1

 

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Friday, 31. May 10:00

Junior Group Competition (1st Presentation)
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14:00 Senior Competition I, Group C (Hoop, Ball)
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16:45 Senior Competition I, Group B (Hoop, Ball)
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19:15 Opening Ceremony Hall D
20:00 Senior Competition I, Group A (Hoop, Ball)
H all D

Junior Standings

1. Russia 17.100
2. Belarus 16.450
3. Bulgaria 16.266
4. Azerbaijan 15.916
5. Italy 15.750
6. Israel 15.500
7. Switzerland 15.433
8. Ukraine 15.208
9. Estonia 15.150
10. Czech Republic 15.000
11. Germany 14.883
12. France 14.683
13. Latvia 14.583
14. Hungary 14.500
15. Finland 14.258
16. Turkey 13.916
17. Serbia 13.900
18. Spain 13.816
19. Lithuania 13.633
20. Austria 13.133
21. Slovakia 13.033
22. Norway 12.200
23. Poland 12.066
24. Romania 10.716

Spain: Golden Girls

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Spain made history. The arena was packed. Spanish audience was cheeting almost whole. A happy atmosphere lingered in the air.

It was such a magic moment. The tension was there.

You could see a mix of Spanish and Portuguese flags everywhere. It was such a magic moment. The tension was there. Parents, friends, fans, waiting for their team. Spain got 4th position the day aftr, with 10 clubs exercise. They needed more than 17.250 to reach the first place. And then, the dream came true. They scored 17.300 enough for gold. Congratulations.

Versión en español

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Alejandra Quereda y Sandra Aguilar

España hizo historia ayer. El pabellón estaba lleno. Los aficionados españoles llenaban de alegría el recinto, animando constantemente a su equipo. Fue un momento mágico, lleno de ilusión y esperanza. Familiares, amigos, fans, todos esperando la actuación del equipo español. Ellas actuaba en último lugar.

Épico e histórico. Hacía años que España no conseguía este soñado puesto

En la jornada anterior, obtuvieron una 4º posición con el ejercicio de 10 mazas. Necesitaban 17.250 al menos, en el ejercicio mixto, para conseguir un primer puesto. Y así fue. España obtuvo 17.300, lo que hizo que se proclamaran Campeonas de la Copa del Mundo. Épico e histórico. Hacía años que España no conseguía este soñado puesto. Al fin, el sueño se cumplió. Enhorabuena.

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Countdown to World Cup Lisbon!

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Most of delegations have already arrived to Lisbon, some others will have arrived today.

This competition will be celebrated in Lisbon, Portugal. The venue is called “Casal Vistoso” located in Joao Silva street.There will be two competitions at the same time: World Cup F.I.G. category ( for senior individuals and groups) and International Tournament for junior individuals and groups.

World Cup Participants:

Senior Groups: AZE,  BUL, CHN, ESP, FIN, FRA, POR, RUS, SUI, UKR, U.S.A..

Finaly UZB and BLR won’t be there.

Individuals:

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Tickets: https://gympor.bilheteiraonline.pt/Comprar/Cartoes/460-575-passe_world_cup_torneio-feder_ginastica_portugal/

Draw: https://rhythmic-gymnastics.info/2013/03/25/world-cup-lisbon-draw/

Schedule:

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International Junior Tournament:

Individuals:

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Groups: SUI, FRA, RUS, FIN, CAN, AZE, BLR, BUL, HUN.

 

Versión en español

 

Esta competición se disputará en Lisboa, Portugal.  La mayoría de las delegaciones ya está en Lisboa (algunas como AZE y RUS, han viajado directamente desde el GP de Thiais). La delegación española llegará hoy miércoles por la mañana. El pabellón se llama “Casal Vistoso” situado en la calle Joao Silva . Habrá dos competiciones simultáneas: Copa del Mundo F.I.G. (individuales senior y conjuntos) y Torneo Internacional (competición junior individual y conjuntos)

El abono para ambas competiciones del 4 al 7 de abril cuesta 30 €. Se pueden comprar aquí:https://gympor.bilheteiraonline.pt/Comprar/Cartoes/460-575-passe_world_cup_torneio-feder_ginastica_portugal/

Los horarios y participantes se muestran en las tablas anteriores. El conjunto español actuará el jueves a partir de las 21:00 en el grupo A. No participa ninguna gimnasta individual española. El livestream se podrá seguir a través del link proporcionado en la página de inicio (barra lateral izquierda).