For the Russian gymnasts, the nationals in March are supposed to be the first start of the season (and they are usually quite a splatfest because of that). In addition to Elena Eremina and Maria Paseka planning their comebacks at this competition, Aliya Mustafina plans on competing in the all-around for the first time in a year. She last competed AA at the 2018 Russian Championships but injured her knee on vault and had to miss several competitions while recovering. By the World Championships, she got competitive routines back on three events but hasn’t been training vault. She said to TASS that her plan is to start competing AA in March and to go to some World Cups as well (she did not specify whether those would be AA World Cups or Apparatus World Cups).
Mustafina told TASS:
“Starting in March, I will compete internationally – at World Cups, and also at the Russian Championships in Penza. I plan on competing in the all-around. I fixed the issue with my knee, everything’s fine”.
Mustafina was also named Athlete of the Year in Penza, the region she officially represents at national competitions. Her coach, Sergei Starkin, was named Coach of the Year.
Support Gymnovosti on Patreon from only $1 a month and help us bring to you even more awesome gymnastics coverage!
