World Preview: Team Russia

Sep 20, 2013 by Jennifer Teitell

The journey to Antwerp has been filled with drama for the Russians. The trouble began with the termination of Head Coach Alexander Alexandrov. Despite massive success under his leadership, Alexandrov was fired shortly after the Olympics. Alexandrov coached the women to their first world title in 19 years at the 2010 World Championships in Rotterdam. Additionally, Aliya Mustafina, Alexandrov's personal athlete, won the 2010 World All Around title in Rotterdam and was the most decorated Russian gymnast at the 2012 Olympics, winning four medals including gold on uneven bars.

Details were sparse regarding the firing but in a new exclusive interview with Alexandrov who addresses the controversy and expresses his concern over the current state of Russian Gymnastics and the treatment of Aliya Mustafina.

TEAM RUSSIA

Maria PASEKA

Aliya MUSTAFINA
Tatiana NABIEVA

Victoria Komova or Anna Rodionova

Despite the loss of her personal coach, Aliya Mustafina earned a spot on the 2013 World Championship team. Mustafina won the all-around at the 2013 European championships and contributed to the Russians dominating performance at the University Games. Mustafina is set to debut upgraded routines on bars and floor in addition to a possible second vault in Antwerp. If Mustafina performs a second vault, expect her to contend for a medal in every final, making her one of the favorites to win the prestigious all-around title.

Maria Paseka was a member of the 2012 Olympic silver medal team and earned an individual bronze on the vault. Paseka’s performance at the 2013 European Championships was disappointing falling on both of her vaults. During the 2013 Russia Cup, Paseka placed third on floor and second on bars and vault. Russian coaches are still deciding if Paseka will perform on bars in Belgium because she is currently suffering from back problems.

Tatiana Nabieva is coming to Antwerp on a high note after dominating the Russian Cup winning all around, vault and uneven bar. Nabieva was an alternate to the 2012 Olympic team and brings plenty of accolades and experience with her to Antwerp. Nabeiva was a member of the 2010 World Team that won gold in Rotterdam and she won a silver medal on bars at the 2011 World Championships in Tokyo. Nabieva is a solid all-around gymnast capable of performing an Amanar on vault.

Anna Rodionova was the youngest Russian competitor eligible for the 2012 London Olympics. However, the young gymnast did not qualify to the team. Rodionova competed earlier this year at the 2013 Anadia Cup where she placed eighth on uneven bars. Rodionova will only compete in balance beam in Antwerp if she is earns a team spot which appears likely.

Unfortunately, Viktoria Komova has been battling injury and illness since the 2012 Olympic Games. Komova recently posted an instagram picture showing her in a hospital bed. Komava's poor health makes a trip to Antwerp highly unlikely.

Big Names Missing From Team

One important name left off of the roster was 2012 Olympian Anastasia Grishina. Olympic gold medalist and Russian judge, Lidia Ivanova said “Grishina deprived herself of an opportunity to compete at Worlds by refusing to compete at the 2013 Russian Cup.” Grishina and her personal coaches claim that she did not compete at the Russia Cup due to a pinched nerve in her back.

Two-time Olympian Ksenia Afanesyeva is out with an ankle injury that required surgery. Afaneseva was also the 2011 World and European Champion on floor so this injury is heartbreaking.

Coaching changes, injuries and even controversy may affect the momentum of this team; however, this team is still stacked with talent. Do not be surprised to the see Russians do well at Antwerp.