Random Russia sh*t

[Lisaelaine80]

Yes. Retired and working for the same youth movement Nagorny is involved with, holding gymnastics camps in Donetsk. In the summer she was with Produnova to reopen their old gymnastics club in Rostov following a refurbishment.

It’s a shame we didn’t get to see more of her in competition. Lovely gymnast.

 

[RAFIKI]

POV: you took a random selfie at Round Lake

Credit: Angelina Melnikova (and Viktoria Listunova)
View attachment 13545

Can’t take my eyes off the floor leap

 

[rlayt]

That has to one of the best leap photos this last year!

 

[MaryClare]

A very successful time at Cottbus for Russia. Especially for Milana Kayumova on senior debut.

Kalmykova: Gold on VT and FX
Kayumova: Silver on UB, bronze on BB
Kartsev: Bronze on FX, Silver on PB, Bronze on HB
Syedin: Bronze on PB

 

[MaryClare]

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.

 

[MaryClare]

Angelina Melnikova is to compete in the Italian Serie A league this year. I am kind of surprised, given what happened in Germany but both Listunova and Dalaloyan have competed in serie A without any issues. And actually having just returned from Italy, I felt that attitudes towards Russian people were less negative than elsewhere in Western Europe*

*spent literally the whole time in ice rinks, may not be typical sample

 

[MaryClare]

Joining Melnikova in competing in Serie A is Arseniy Dukhno in what will be his senior debut.

 

[Denn]

I do think Dukhno is the real deal, too, and will be a player in the long term. I would encourage people to check out the first 3-4 posts of his instagram for a nice summary of what he can do.

https://www.instagram.com/dukhno_arsenii/?hl=en

I think this is one of his best. stock stuff, but a cat-like ability to land well.
short and stock. enough to do AA, but he rarely posts PH training.
not strong. but a triple back dismount helps. weird technique on it though
maybe his best event. He's now doing a Kas 2.5 which is a 3.5 twist and it's a huge D-score. He's got a good Randi also.
he gets archy in the lower back and leg deductions to sort out, but a lot of potential here. And a full-in dismount that's quite nice.
He's been working tons of tricks — Liukin, Kolman combos, Pegan — so we'll see where he ends up...

 

[Snowfan]

Would someone be so kind as to explain what these leagues are? I've heard of a league in Spain as well. I heard them mentioned once in a while. Are there other places that have these leagues?

 

[MaryClare]

I do think Dukhno is the real deal, too, and will be a player in the long term. I would encourage people to check out the first 3-4 posts of his instagram for a nice summary of what he can do.

https://www.instagram.com/dukhno_arsenii/?hl=en

I think this is one of his best. stock stuff, but a cat-like ability to land well.
short and stock. enough to do AA, but he rarely posts PH training.
not strong. but a triple back dismount helps. weird technique on it though
maybe his best event. He's now doing a Kas 2.5 which is a 3.5 twist and it's a huge D-score. He's got a good Randi also.
he gets archy in the lower back and leg deductions to sort out, but a lot of potential here. And a full-in dismount that's quite nice.
He's been working tons of tricks — Liukin, Kolman combos, Pegan — so we'll see where he ends up...

Thanks Denn that’s a really great summary. Interestingly, both his parents are men’s national team coaches but I believe he has a different personal coach.