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Aleksandra Soldatova announces her retirement
Four-time world champion in rhythmic gymnastics, Alexandra Soldatova announces retirement. She still wants to be linked to gymnastics, but not in a competitive way, because as she said, Rhythmic gymnastics is my life, my love, my passion. will never go anywhere from my life. She confirmed this information on December 24th.
The last time she gave an interview, to Russia Today she talked about her long-lasting battle with an eating disorder. She recognised that she needed help against anxiety, that was caused by a rigorous weight control. This issue has seriously damaged her mental and physical health.
“I officially announce the end of my sports career. It was a wonderful journey of 16 years. Now I remember only good things, because the other simply cannot be. I have nothing to regret and nothing to be sad about – I have achieved what I could not even dream of in childhood. “
Soldatova was one of the gymnasts most beloved by the audience. She has lots of fanclubs all around the world. “Thanks to my fans all over the world. You have always been my support and motivation. I performed for you! I ask you not to be sad, but to be happy for me and wish me luck in my new life stage!”.
She really appreciates her relationship with her former coach, Anna Dyachenko (Shumilova). The path was not easy. Soldatova injured her leg two years ago and missed the European Championships. The doctors confirmed that she had a fracture.
“Special thanks to my personal coach, Anna Dyachenko”
Soldatova is a very taleted gymnasts and she realized about this since she started doing rhythmic gymnastics. Her inner flexibility and her charisma made her unique.
When I started doing gymnastics I didn’t know Kabaeva, Kanaeva… I just liked gymnastics and that’s why I focused on it. I even wasn’t interested in Olympic Games or World Championships.
Aleksandra Soldatova
Aleksandra Soldatova had opened up about her disease
Aleksandra Soldatova (RUS)
Aleksandra Soldatova, Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics World and European champion has been interviewed by Russia Today about her long-lasting battle with an eating disorder. She recognised that she needed help against anxiety, that was caused by a rigorous weight control. This issue has seriously damaged her mental and physical health.
She realized that she had a serious problem when her thoughts were only about food. She even starved herself for several days.
“I was always out of energy and didn’t have the power to train. But I was afraid to admit that I had an eating problem,”
She became lonely and unsociable and she tried not to meet people at cafes or restaurants, since this implied eating. Then she realized that she was over the limit and has to tell her problem to her coaches, who managed to stop her bulimic behaviors.
There were recent reports led Soldatova to open up on her battle with bulimia for at least, two years, that has constantly affected her. She confirmed she told to her coaches that she was suffering from this disease in summer of 2018. Anna Dyachenko, her coach, talked to her for up to three hours.
The alarms lighted up when in September of last year, Soldatova lost consciousness at a World Cup event in Portugal, leading to her being left out of the Russian team for that month’s World Championships. She confirmed that she ate alone and went everywhere alone, ignoring what was going on with her while her health condition was getting worse.
“I still has nightmares in which I gain weight, which remains a fear.”
Soldatova said she is taking a career break and not in a rush with her treatment, acknowledging that “professional sports and bulimia are not compatible, especially when you need to prepare for the Olympic Games.”
Source: Russia Today
10 Facts about Aleksandra Soldatova
Aleksandra Soldatova is one of the most beloved gymnast of the world by the audience. Would you like to know some facts about her?
“My idols are Alina Kabaeva and Aleksei Nemov”
Both are Russian gymnastics star: Alina is currently a politician and Nemov has his own gymnastics show.
Aleksandra broke two teeth during trainings last week because of a club.
She would choose a landscape as a holiday place. She loves the nature.
She respects Dina and Arina Averina and thinks they are both very strong gymnasts.
Sasha loves animals and, in fact, she lives with a cat.
She shares a room in Novogorsk with Olympic Champion in 2016 in group, Vera Biryukova.
She really appreciates her relationship with her coach, Anna Dyachenko (Shumilova).
She is one of the Under Armour sports brand ambassadors in Russia.
At the beggining of the season, she chose this black leotard for her hoop routine. Irina Viner advised her to choose another one instead of the black one since this was too dark.
She tries to eat really healthy and avoids any kinds of fattening food and sweets, but she loves hot chocolate drink.
Interview to Aleksandra Soldatova
Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics senior team member, Aleksandra Soldatova, gave an exclusive interview to Russian TV after World Championships.
How do you feel after a good performance?
I have to say that of course when you perform a clean routine and so that you get a high score, that is such a good feeling. But also I know that isn’t still your limit. That is maybe one of the bests moments for a gymnast.
Do you usually cry during trainings?
I remember when I was a kid I used not to cry. At least I tried not to. Even if the coach shout to me. Right now it is kinda different. I usually cry because of my feelings, mostly happiness.
Have you ever think in stop doing gymnastics?
There were a lot of moments that I thought to just give up. But then, I believe this is just a way to reach a medal.
Did you start doing gymnastics because of Rhythmic Gymnastics Stars?
When I started doing gymnastics I didn’t know Kabaeva, Kanaeva… I just liked gymnastics and that’s why I focused on it. I even wasn’t interested in Olympic Games or World Championships.
How did you met Anna Dyachenko (Shumilova)?
I don’t remember clearly. But I got close to her really soon and, then, I understood how a great person and coach she is. I respect her a lot.
What would you say to those who have you to stop doing gymnastics?
That words make me feel mad at them. Of course gymnasts have a lot of injuries and suffer from pain. But I feel that I have to do something for this sport.
How is Irina Alexandrovna Viner as a coach?
Without her I could not have any medals. When I am training even over 10 hours a day, of course I feel really tired. But I am thankful to her because she helps me a lot. Instead of thinking “I am exhausted” I think, “Thank you Irina Alexandrova for spending this time with me”.
Could you describe how was this last year for you?
Extremely hard. I injured my leg. It was such a long recovery. I also missed European Championships. I was quite sure I was going to this event. I had to say that before I got injured, I performed my routines as clean as I could. I was ready for EC. I remember how I start feeling the pain in my leg during leaps. Then the doctors realized my leg was broken. Once I knew that, I started crying. I think I will regret of not going to EC the rest of my life…
Interview to Alexandra Soldatova
Aleksandra Soldatova is a rhythmic gymnast from Russia. “Sasha” is the 2016 National All-around champion, World and European Team Champion. Her situation right now is on controversy since Dina and Arina Averina were chosen by Irina Viner to compete in World Championships in Pesaro.
How did you start doing gymnastics?
We used to live in Ufa (Russia). My brother, who is 2 years older than me, did artistic gymnastics. Then, he moved to Pushkino. My mum wanted him to do gymnastics. In Pushkino, they also had a school of Rhythmic Gymnastics and there, I started to do it. I loved it since I started doing it.
How can you deal with stress before competitions?
I put myself in all stressful situations during trainings. For example, I execute all risks, masteries and verify all the elements in the routine. To all the gymnasts who are scared of competition I use to say: “work on it during trainings and then, you will realize that you will be more confident with yourself”.
Do you have any routine to be calm before competitions?
No, I don’t. The confidence comes with the experience.
Which is the most exotic thing you have tried?
I don’t remember… Maybe in Japan, it is a realy exotic culture for us. But I travel because of gymnastics and the only places I can see during this trips are hotel and gym.
Is there a country where you really would like to come back?
I haven’t fallen in love with any of the countries I have been to… But I love the ocean. I have been in Brazil and USA, but I didn’t have the chance to go into the beach
Sasha, what is your favorite colour?
Yellow. It has always been. It is a warm colour.
Have you always been that flexible?
Of course I had to strenght my muscles up, but my nature is to be flexible. I have flexible joints: knees and elbows.
Have you ever had the thought of stop doing gymnastics?
No, I have never. N-E-V-E-R. Of course there are a lot of difficult moments, but I really don’t want to think to quit.
Do you often cry during trainings?
No, it is very rare for me to cry during trainings. Honestly, I don’t remember.
How do you choose your musics?
This is a long proccess. It is very difficult to find a music that you like.
Would you like to become a coach?
First of all I would like to do masterclasses but about a coaching career, well, I don’t see myself as a coach.
Who is your favorite Junior gymnast?
Sometimes I train with Anna Sokolova and perhaps she could be my favorite. Then, Lala Kramarenko and Polina Shmatk when she is training maximum
Do you diet?
All the gymnasts in Novogorsk (National Training Center) have tried tons of diets. I tried to eat just once a day but I couldn’t. I have even work with a nutritionist. The secret is to eat healthy and very often (4-5 times a day). I don’t eat sweets, but when I was in Croatia I could not diet and I ate pizza, ice-cream…I drink only water and I don’t eat fried things.
How do you deal when the scores are not as good as you think they would be?
The first part of the last season I didn’t win almost anything. These moments were really hard. I trained a lot, worked out…I had a lot of negative emotions and that even helped me to work harder.
How many hours do you train in a day?
It depends on which part of the season we are. But in general terms, we train from 8 am to 1 pm during the morning and then from 3 pm to 6 or 7 pm in the afternoon.
Do you have a boyfriend?
Yes.
Which is your favorite leotard?
I really like the last one that Art-Blesk did for me (beige) but unfortunatly it doesn’t fit my routines at all. Another one that I really like is the black one I used last year for “Mama” (ball routine).
Sasha’s favorite leotard
Aleksandra Soldatova: World Cup Guadalajara 2016
Aleksandra “Sasha” Soldatova was born in Pushkino, Russia, eighteen years ago. Sasha brought into international competitions since 2011. Her career is excellent: European Champion (Team) in 2012, Junior Russian Champion, European and World Champion with team.
In her early career, she moved close to Moscow and started training with Anna Shumilova (Dyachenko) in Dynamo Dmitrov. Over the last years, many Rhythmic Gymnastics Stars trained here such as Olympic Champion Alina Makarenko, World Champion Darya Kondakova or Master in Sports Adel Galina, Veronika Polyakova and Ekaterina Malygina.
These pictures were taken during World Cup Series in Guadalajara, Spain in June 2016. Spanish audience was crazy about Sasha and she was really glad to be in Spain.
Photographer Copyright Twitter @dani_foto
Rhythmic Gymnastics Info 