Alyona Glotova is back. Glotova looked very promising 23/24. Represented Russia at the BRICS games then disappeared. I’m assuming injury although I don’t recall hearing anything officially.
She remained on the national team roster throughout 2025 then at the start of the year was moved to the reserve team. Which is normal as how it works you get a full season salaried as injury pay. Then after that if you are still training to a reasonable level, the national team staff may decide to retain you on the reserve team.
However last week was the federal districts championships across Russia and Glotova posted some big scores to win the Central region title. The central region is usually one of the strongest both in terms of the standard of gymnastics but also the level of coaching and judging. It includes well know gymnastics hubs like Voronezh (Komova, Melnikova), Tula (Afanasyeva, Semenova) and Vladimir (better known for MAG, but Vasilieva is from there). The region’s head judges are Natalia Pavlova and Vera Kolesnikova.
Glotova scored 56.5 day 1 and 54.25 day 2 to take the title ahead of national team members Shukhyurova and Semukhina who both averaged over 52. Glotova already has AIN status, she was in the first batch to be granted. So I would consider her a dark horse for euros and worlds this year. Videos on VK, but an account is required. I’m not sure how to get them onto YouTube.