In my last post, many people wanted to know more about our wonderful artists. So who is the number one of the national team now?

Personalities

Alexandra Soldatova.

Alexandra Sergeevna Soldatova(born June 1, 1998) - Russian gymnast, member of the Russian national team, two-time world champion in the team event (2014, 2015), two-time European champion in the team event (2015,2017), Russian champion in the individual all-around (2016), bronze medalist in the all-around championship of Russia in rhythmic gymnasium (2014).

Programs 2017.

Hoop:

In my opinion, this is Sasha’s most beautiful exercise. I think many people remember the beautiful Yulia Barsukova at the 2000 Olympics, and now, 17 years later, a new wonderful swan appears in the world of gymnastics.

Sasha is often called the most flexible gymnast in the country.

Crown element

Alexandra went to the Olympics in Rio as a reserve

Sasha is trained by Anna Vyacheslavovna Dyachenko (Shumilova)

Excerpts from the interview

Without perseverance, hard work and patience, one does not become a champion. Your coach Anna Dyachenko said that there was a time when you and she drove from Dmitrov by car to Novogorsk every morning and you slept in the back seat. This is true?

Yes. I didn’t start living and training in Novogorsk right away; I had to leave Dmitrov early in the morning to get to Novogorsk on time. Anna Vyacheslavovna put me in the back seat, I had a pillow there, I fell asleep on the way and woke up already at the entrance to the gate of the base. But it's okay, these are minor things. If you want to achieve something, you will have to deny yourself a lot and be patient.

Sasha, why rhythmic gymnastics? This is love at first sight?

No. It turned out really funny. In Sterlitamak, where I’m from, my mother brought... my brother to the rhythmic gymnastics section to sign up. We simply didn’t know then that gymnastics can be different - sports and artistic. We were told that where they wanted to send my brother, everything was only for girls, then my mother was not at a loss and said: “I have a girl too, take it!” I don’t remember my first training sessions; I was little; the awareness of gymnastics came to me only when I was already in third grade.

You have excellent physical data for gymnastics, I can assume that everything worked out the first time?

Far from it. I agree that I have flexibility, stretch, and good feet, but, for example, I lack dexterity. Dina and Arina Averina, in terms of working with the subject, are stronger than me, they are like that by nature.

Which subject is more difficult for you?

I can’t say that some are more difficult and some are easier. I'm still at the stage of perfecting my skills and comprehending something new.

To get into the Russian national team, you have come a long way. Sterlitamak - Dmitrov - Novogorsk.

They forgot Pushkino! From Sterlitamak my family moved to Pushkino, from there I ended up in Dmitrov, where I waited with bated breath... for me to be sent back to Pushkino. First training, second, week, second, third, and then they told me: “You stay here!” My emotion was lightning fast, but meager: “Yes. Good!” I’ll say right away that I didn’t experience any longing for my mother and family, as many girls do at the age of 12. I calmly accepted the fact that I would live separately from my parents and without their care. She was independent!

First meeting with your coach Anna Dyachenko. Did you expect to fall under her care?

I didn’t expect it, but from the first day we had a wonderful duet. From the first day, I caught her every remark. The girls and I even competed to see who would stand closest to her during training, who would be the first to ask about something, who would write or call her. She is wonderful in every way!

Sasha, how did you get to the training camp with Irina Viner?

It didn’t happen to me that I somehow unexpectedly saw Irina Alexandrovna at a training session or she unexpectedly came to the gym, and there I was. She knows who trains with her. We came to the training camp, I saw how Irina Aleksandrovna worked with other gymnasts, how she communicated. Then, when she became part of the Russian national team, she began to pay more attention to me and, naturally, there was more communication. Irina Aleksandrovna is a strict and very attentive mentor.

Photoshoot:

Arina and Dina Averina

Arina.

Arina Alekseevna Averina August 13, 1998 - Trans-Volga region) - Russian rhythmic gymnast, member of the Russian rhythmic gymnastics team, International Master of Sports. Multiple winner and prize-winner of all-Russian and international tournaments, three-time European champion.

Programs

Dina

Dina Alekseevna Averina(August 13, 1998 - Trans-Volga region) - Russian rhythmic gymnast, member of the Russian gymnastics team, Three-time European Champion 2017, Absolute Champion of Russia 2017, Master of Sports of international class. Multiple winner and prize-winner of all-Russian and international tournaments.

Programs

Joint demonstration

Dina in pink, Arina in blue

The sisters are trained by Vera Nikolaevna Shatalina. She also trained Alina Kabaeva.

Excerpt from interview with Irina Alexandrovna Viner-Usmanova:

Can we say that in some places Dina and Arina even exceeded their capabilities, in others they surprised us with their results?

The fact is that from an early age Dina and Arina were, as we say, “stunt performers,” and now the program is such that all this counts. Previously, we also had very strong girls, and Alina Kabaeva did amazing things, but not everything counted. Therefore, their time has come. But they lacked a little feeling, lacked expressiveness, they did it all like a thread. And now they do it expressively, they try to make all the exercises very “characteristic” and these movements, tricks, these risks, these interesting masterful elements merge with the music. So that they organically emphasize it, and in Budapest they succeeded.

Arina Dina

private photos

With parents and older sister Polina

Dina on the left, Arina on the right

Together with the team doctor - Dmitry Ubogov

Arina on the right, Dina on the left

Dina, Arina, sister Polina, mother Ksenia
Arina on the right, Dina on the left

Arina Dina

The girls dreamed of standing in group exercises, but due to their short stature they were not accepted.

Arina on the left, Dina on the right

Photoshoot

Group exercises

(Anastasia Bliznyuk, Anastasia Tatareva, Anastasia Maksimova, Maria Tolkacheva, Vera Biryukova - Rio 2016)

Programs

3 balls + 2 jump ropes

5 hoops

Now it’s difficult to talk about the main composition, since it is constantly changing. But most often the following gymnasts are included.

Anastasia Bliznyuk

Anastasia Ilyinichna Bliznyuk(born June 28, 1994, Zaporozhe, Ukraine) - Russian gymnast. Two-time Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics in group all-around (2012, 2016); world and European champion.

Nastya returned to sports after a serious illness - leptospirosis.

The whole country was worried when you got sick, you found yourself in a difficult situation. How did you manage to continue your career?
“I didn’t even know I was so seriously ill.” My kidneys failed...Irina Aleksandrovna Wiener treated me in Germany. At first they said that perhaps the kidneys would not start. There is very little chance that I will always live on dialysis.

But thank God I recovered. And she started working in Novogorsk as a second-team coach. Somehow it turned out that I decided to lose weight and get in shape. And this grew into the training process.

I got into the second team. I proved to everyone that I can and want to. I will stand on this team! And made it to the main team.

In general, there is a lot of competition in Russia. Only when it was the last week before the Olympics did I realize that I would compete in Rio. Every start is a very big struggle. If you make any mistake even during training, they will remove you at any moment. It doesn’t matter that I was an Olympic champion and that the girls won the World Championships. The road started from scratch

More excerpts from the interview:

Nastya! You are the second two-time Olympic champion in the group in our history. There was also London gold.
- Third – there are also Elena Posevina and Natalya Lavrova... Of course, I am incredibly happy and grateful to Irina Aleksandrovna Viner for this victory. I was able to overcome myself, recover from illness, and return with faith in my strengths and capabilities. Thanks to the whole team who helped a lot. This road was extremely difficult. But when you realize that you did everything, the taste of victory becomes the sweetest.

- And for five Olympics in a row we take two golds in rhythmic gymnastics.
- I think that only Irina Alexandrovna. Everything rests on Wiener.

For me she is like a mother. Because she saved my life when I got sick. I was born again! And they gave me the chance to perform in Rio.

- How to prepare yourself mentally for the new Olympic cycle?
- You know why you are doing this. But our training is insanely hard. And this medal was more difficult for me than the first one. Apparently I was younger then. And now I thought: “Maybe I can still do this? Maybe that's not all?

I left gymnastics in 2013 after the World Championships. Now she's back. And I think: “But I can do more!”

Photoshoot

Anastasia Tatareva

Anastasia Alekseevna Tatareva(born July 19, 1997) - Russian gymnast. Olympic champion (2016). Honored Master of Sports of Russia. World and European champion.

Excerpts from the interview

– The life of gymnasts is very short. Many people have only one Olympics, then they have to end their career... Doesn’t this scare you?
– Life is beautiful, and there are so many interesting things in it! I'm not afraid that I'll have to say goodbye to sports. This is fine. I study at the university - at the correspondence department of the Institute of International Relations. So this is probably what I will do later. Life will show.

- Interesting choice. Perhaps you speak a foreign language well?
- English. Not bad, but I need to learn more - that’s what I’ll do. There is a lot of language practice at competitions!

– Do you still have time to study?
- All my energy goes into training. Especially when preparing for competitions. We have to study on Skype... And they send us assignments, we complete them and send them back.

– Teachers don’t give discounts, don’t they simplify the task?
- No. And who am I to make my task easier? (laughs).

– You compete in the team all-around. Don't want to go into private view?
– By the way, I started in the personal. Then they invited me to join the team... No, I don’t want to - I like it better on a team - here, of course, there is greater responsibility. But you feel that we are together. There is something called “team spirit”. We have a very friendly team. If we quarrel, it’s rare. And we quickly make up.

– Do you know that you are compared on forums with Alina Kabaeva?
- I have not heard about that! It seems to me that we are completely different. I’m not like her... I think you need to remain yourself, not strive to be like others.

Photoshoot:

private photos

Vera Biryukova

Vera Leonidovna Biryukova(born April 11, 1998 - Omsk) - Russian gymnast. Member of the Russian rhythmic gymnastics team. Master of Sports of Russia of international class. Champion of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Honored Master of Sports. European champion.

Interview

Vera Biryukova “burst” into the Rio Olympics with the speed of a meteor and almost at the last moment. Even a month and a half before the Games, neither numerous fans of rhythmic gymnastics, nor the Omsk “artist” herself even thought about such a development of events.

“If I had any hopes of getting into the main team, then a couple of months before the Olympics they almost disappeared,” says Vera. “I worked calmly in the second team, trained and didn’t really count on anything. Judge for yourself: there is nothing left before the Games, who will make changes to the existing group? But it turned out that one of the girls was injured, and the coaches decided to try me. And you know, it turned out well. Even Irina Aleksandrovna Viner praised me. She said, almost imperceptibly, that a new person had joined the group. “You’ll go to Kazan, and we’ll see there,” were her words. There were only two starts left before the Olympic Games: the World Cup stages in Kazan and Baku. To be honest, I thought that after Kazan I would be removed from the team. But this did not happen either after Kazan or after Baku! But I was able to believe that I was going to Rio only on the plane flying to Brazil.

- Did you manage to have a good rest after the Games?
- Yes, the whole team sent us to the sea, we vacationed in Sardinia, it was great. Then each went to their hometown. I also enjoyed spending a week at home.
- Did you remember with your mother how it all began?
- From the sea and Turkey! We rested there, and my mother only had time to make sure that I didn’t climb where I shouldn’t. The energy was overflowing! Well, I always loved to dance, I “bent” in all directions. Then my mother suggested that I try gymnastics. I immediately agreed, although I actually had no idea what it was! Maybe I saw it on TV a couple of times. When we returned home, my mother brought me into the hall. And that’s how I started training at the age of five. My mother said that parents were not allowed to attend training so that the children would not be distracted. But she managed to peek out the window. He says I always tried, I didn’t slack. I trained conscientiously, even if the coach left the gym. Although I myself don’t remember that time well.

- And the first medal?
-I remember. At school competitions I shared first place with another girl.

- You once mentioned that as a child, your idol in gymnastics was Laysan Utyasheva. But Omsk residents traditionally call Irina Chashchina, Evgenia Kanaeva...
- Irina and Evgenia are great gymnasts. But it’s true: I admired Laysan. I always liked the way she moves, works with the subject, her emotionality. Yes, for me she was the best gymnast. And over time, this has not gone away; she is still my idol. And not only as an athlete, but also as a person.
- Before the Olympics, didn’t you turn to her for advice?
- Unfortunately, before the Olympics I was not yet familiar with her. My childhood dream came true after the Games. Nastya Bliznyuk introduced us. This happened when the girls and I performed at Alexei Nemov’s show in Moscow. Laysan also took part in it, we even changed clothes in the same locker room.

- Laysan, after completing her gymnastics career, found herself as a TV presenter. Have you already thought about the future?
- To be honest, this is a difficult topic for me so far. I have not yet decided on new goals in life, in gymnastics. Now sport takes up 100% of my time and with such a schedule it is very difficult to fit anything else into my life. Therefore, I cannot answer this question yet!

Photoshoot

private photos

Sofia Skomorokh

Sofya Pavlovna Skomorokh(born August 18, 1999 Omsk) - Russian gymnast, world and European champion.

Shortly before the Olympics, Sonya was injured and was unable to go there, although she was in the first team all year.

private photos

Maria Tolkacheva

Maria Yurievna Tolkacheva(born August 18, 1997 - Zhukov) - Russian gymnast, three-time world champion, three-time European champion, two-time European Games champion, Olympic champion (2016) in group exercises. Honored Master of Sports

In my opinion, Masha is the most beautiful gymnast on the team. Although, of course, they are all beautiful.

Masha and Nastya Tatareva are best friends

That's all! Thank you all for your attention, and new victories for the girls)

- Masha, were you an obedient child?

- Rather yes than no.

– You initially came to rhythmic gymnastics not for medals, but at the request of your parents, who wanted to see you healthy and with beautiful posture, right?

– Of course, my parents sent me to gymnastics for my health. She immediately interested me; the thought of doing any other sport did not arise. If I suddenly caught a cold, I still rushed out of the house to train.

– You were born in Orekhovo-Zuevo. Is that where you started your journey into big-time sports?

- Yes. At the age of four she came to trainers Valentina Krylova and Maria Klopova. They brought me to a certain level, with them I won my first tournaments. Then our family moved to Zhukovsky. It became more convenient for my parents to get to Moscow for work, and for my brother to go to college. And I continued my gymnastics classes at the Meteor sports school with the Honored Trainer of Russia Tatyana Golovina, Zitta Bukova, Elena Ilyukhina. I remember all the teachers, I am grateful to everyone.

– One more question about Orekhovo-Zuevo. You, of course, know that the star of Olympic medalist Anna Pavlova rose there before you. Do you know her?

– I don’t know. The gymnastics department was located in another room. But I know everything about Anya, I’m proud that she and I reached the Olympic Games from the same city.

– Did you yourself expect that everything would develop so quickly and successfully in sports?

– I always studied with pleasure, with desire, and did not think about any medals. I just fell in love with gymnastics and tried to do everything the coach said.

– If you took not first place, but, say, third, were you very upset?

– Actually, it’s most pleasant to stand on the top step of the pedestal. (Smiles.) If she didn’t manage to become the first, she was upset, but didn’t freak out. I went to the hall again and worked.

– From Zhukovsky, at the age of 14, you decided to move to Dmitrov, to the Olympic reserve sports school with coach Anna Dyachenko. Did you realize that this is already a professional sport?

“My mother and I listened to coach Tatyana Golovina, who was sure that in Dmitrov I could achieve more, that I would get a chance to get into the Russian national team. And I went to see Anna Dyachenko. She accepted me into her group and prepared me for the Russian Masters Championship within a year. She performed well, and immediately a call came to Irina Viner in Novogorsk. At the age of 14–15, I already understood that gymnastics is not only a health activity. Sports consumed me. Training, training, training... Two classes a day for 4-6 hours...

– Do you remember your first conversation with Irina Viner? When you went to receive the “verdict” after the training session, your knees were probably shaking?

- Of course, I was worried. Still on the way to Novogorsk. I thought whether they would leave me at the Russian national team base or not. 15 girls came to the screening. We showed snippets from the exercises. After that, Irina Alexandrovna called her over, looked into her eyes and said: “Good girl. Some elements need to be tightened up... Stay working.” And she sent me to the second team of the Russian national team. I was happy and thought that it was not in vain that I worked so hard. Sometimes people ask me how much luck there is in my career. Perhaps there is some luck, but only a small amount. Working in the gym every day from 8 am to 8 pm can hardly be called luck.

- But what kind of character should one have to work like that!

- Not everyone can stand it. Injuries begin, doctors, hospitals, you can break down psychologically. Start after start, changing the lineup, fighting for a place in the team... You need character. Just like my friend Nastya Tatareva’s. She went through a difficult period last year. Surgery, treatment, return to the national team. I tried to be with her more often. We went to the cinema, karaoke, and to a cafe to eat ice cream. After winning the 2017 World Championships, Nastya says to me: “Mash, thank you for your support. I would cut these medals in half and give them to you.” I answered her: “Oh, no need, I have my own medals.”

– Would you like to compete in the individual championship or do you like to “play” exclusively in a team?

- I'm a team player. I always liked performing in a team more than in individual competition. The team is interesting and responsible. Here hearts beat in unison. You understand more acutely the value of friendship. But also the cost of error...

– When you walked to the podium for the gold medal in Olympic Rio, what did you think about, what did you remember?

– It was incredible emotions! You don’t experience anything like this at any other competition. I wanted to cry with happiness. But the tears receded when it dawned on me that you defended the honor of the country and did not let down your coaches or parents. Difficult training sessions before Rio flashed before my eyes. “It’s all behind me,” flashed through my head. “The work we did with the girls was not in vain.”

– This year at the World Championships the Russian team lost first place in two disciplines. Did you get it hard from Wiener?

“We were, of course, upset. Irina Aleksandrovna gave out a portion of criticism, but at the same time said that okay, we need to share medals, but not in the Olympic discipline. We won the all-around and received a ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Games, so the task is considered completed.

– Where did you spend your vacation after the World Cup?

– I went to St. Petersburg with my parents. I’ve been there before, but I only saw the city from the windows of a hotel and a bus. And now I had a walk and was delighted! I'll definitely go there again. It's the same with Paris. Four years ago we managed to walk there a little; we wanted to go up the Eiffel Tower with the girls, but there was a long line there and we couldn’t. I still want to go to Barcelona, ​​I’ve never been there... After St. Petersburg, I held a recovery camp with the Russian team at the Italian springs in Bormio.

– Do you have a sweet tooth? Perhaps you took a break from your diet while on vacation?

- It was, it was...

– Have you gained a lot of extra pounds?

- But this is a secret!

– Do you celebrate victories with champagne?

– I can allow you a glass of sparkling semi-sweet wine.

– Hookah is now in fashion among young people...

- Oh, no, no! Don't even offer it! (Laughs.)

– Do you collect anything? Do you bring magnets from abroad?

– There is no narrow focus. If I like a souvenir, I buy it.

– Some athletes, I know, carry their favorite children’s toy with them as a talisman and put it under their pillow.

– I am an exception in this regard. I don’t focus on talismans and signs. Although the Russian national team has a rule: before going on the mat, we stand in a circle and say certain words to each other. Don't ask which ones. This is our secret.

– What book is in your purse now?

– “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell. I've been meaning to read it for a long time. My favorite writer is Remarque.

– By the way, you mentioned karaoke. I remember that Nastya Tatareva, who adores the way you sing, threatened to send you to the “Voice” project...

- Not yet. (Laughs.) But I really like the music. I hum different melodies depending on my mood and weather - on vacation, on the road.

– It’s amazing why you, young and beautiful, are not seen in television show programs!

- Yes, I’m surprised myself. (Smiles.) For some reason they don’t call me. I would like to try both dancing and skating. True, time is short now, so I hope I’ll finish my career and then I’ll finally wait for an offer from TV.

- You are an enviable bride. How do you imagine family life?

– Every person dreams of a happy family. So that there must be mutual love. I want two children, a boy and a girl. No, three is better. Also to have a big house and a husky dog.

DOSSIER

Maria Tolkacheva was born on August 8, 1997. Honored Master of Sports in rhythmic gymnastics. Olympic champion of Rio de Janeiro 2016 in group all-around, six-time world champion, five-time European champion. Awarded the Order of Friendship. The Russian team is represented by the Olympic Sports Center of the Moscow Region. Lives in Dmitrov.