Mustafina arrives in Penza (translation)

<p style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">
  Reporter: Aliya recently made the decision to compete for Penza Oblast (Region) and to train under Sergei Starkin, Merited Trainer of the Russian Federation [TN: this is a title].
</p>

<p style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">
  Aliya: Because I wanted to work with Sergei Valeriyevich. Because I realized that it would be difficult for me to train alone any longer and, knowing Sergei Valeriyevich, I can trust him.
</p>

<p style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">
  Reporter: Aliya is already training in Penza, in the Burtasy Sports Palace. According to her, the primary focus is directed toward basic elements and those exercises which don&#8217;t cause her back to hurt. Aliya says right now what is most important is for her to get into competition form in order to compete successfully next year.
</p>

<p style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">
  Aliya: First my back has to heal. If my back gets better, then we can talk about my programme, competitions&#8230;right now there&#8217;s no point in talking about competitions when I can&#8217;t predict when my back will hurt.
</p>

<p style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">
  *Aliya mentions the most important competitions next year* (Nationals and Russian Cup, Euros, Worlds, EYOF, Universiade)
</p>

<p style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">
  *Bit about how Aliya has been to Burtasy before for competitions and about all the equipment. Aliya mentions it&#8217;s useful to be able to train on podium.*
</p>

<p style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">
  Starkin: There are differences between men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s gymnastics, but when I was just starting my career I worked with girls, so women&#8217;s gymnastics isn&#8217;t “news” to me, there&#8217;s nothing scary. About the division of training; of course athletes like Denis Ablyazin and Aliya Mustafina require individual attention. Their training schedules are different even when they&#8217;re here in Penza.
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<p style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">
  <em>The last part focuses on Denis Ablyazin, his success in 2014 (he was a floor World champion and multiple gold medalist at Euros), and his plans for next year. Starkin says they&#8217;ve got upgrades in mind for floor and vault, but rings is a little trickier.</em>
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<p>
  <b>Translation by Lauren C (thank you Sara Dorrien)</b>
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<p>
  <strong>Photo cover: Nadia Boyce</strong>
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