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Belarusian success recipe for RG groups

  • Writer: Yora Atanasova
    Yora Atanasova
  • Aug 29, 2018
  • 7 min read

After the RG success recipes of Spain and Italy, let's look at Belarus' one. For the decades following the USSR break, Belarus has been the second RG “power” after Russia. For the period 1994-2017, they have won:

- 3 Olympic medals including 2 silver and 1 bronze ones;

- 27 Worlds ones from both all around and apparatus competitions including 3 gold, 8 silver, and 16 bronze.

- The total of their medals from Olympics & Worlds is 30, while the Russia's ones are 45

You can watch their medal winning routines through the links in this Greatest Group Wins 2017-1994 (AA-EF) table to make up your mind yourself: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/e19713_4e9df1a9dc734590b4e255187db6cbf9.pdf .


In my opinion, the main ingredients in their success recipe are strongly related to politics, as Belarusians haven't undergone the political transition in the way and extent other post-socialist countries have. It let them smoothly continue their traditions in RG gymnastics, saving them from quakes like ones experienced by Bulgarian rhythmic gymnastics, and guaranteed stability. So I will start with continuity and stability too.

1 Continuity


I have heard Russian TV commentators saying that Belarusian RG is the true successor of the Soviet RG school, i.e. even more than the Russian one. And they say, Belarus and Russia are of the same RG school.

Even though it is not quite sure how much reliable such generalisations can be, since often a RG “school” is developed around particular talented person (coach and manager), and bear latter's signature... When the person ceases being in charge of their national RG, the school changes its character to a great extent. Some characteristics remain yet, especially if there haven't been shakes, which is the case with Belarus as already mentioned.

2 Stability


I have also heard Russian journalists praising the Belarusian gymnasts for the stability they show while performing. It can't but be noticed while watching them throughout the considered period o more than three decades.

3 Beautiful gymnasts


It is visible through the screen, and is often pointed out by the TV commentators; at least I've heard it multiple times from English speaking ones on YouTube videos. Maybe, they pay special attention on this while selecting their gymnasts... Or may be among the luckiest ones that have plenty of choice so can afford to apply this criteria too...

4 Brilliant synchronisation in the team

Another thing I heard pointed out by Russian commentators: while Russian group gymnasts are excellent individuals and as if each one waits for the moment she would perform individually again, Belarusians are great asa team players.


5 Classical music and ballet


They go on staking on the stylistics of classical music and ballet in the group routines, which is naturally related to the two characteristics of continuation and stability. Not quite sure if and how much it brings them success; sometimes the innovation strategy may be winning, but it is probably about choosing and sticking to one of the two strategies (stability or innovation). It in no way means they do not come up with original elements and whims: of course, they do.

6 Strong will, zeal to win


Sports and sport achievements have always had an extreme importance in this part of Europe since the socialist period, and although I am not aware of the particular situation in Belarus, I suppose that's the case in Belarus too.

7 The Russian friendship and support

Normally, the two representatives of the same RG school have similar taste in RG, perceive the things similarly, and support each other. And also, we can suppose in RG there is policy (and politics) as well as diplomacy like in any other field...

Of course, there are also hard work and dedication, tons of talent, sound management... They are common for any successful RG team, but we are focusing on specifics here.

Let me know what you think I have missed. What's your point of view on the Belarusian success recipe?

Next time, I will focus on the countries, which have managed to break the RG “greats” dominance a few times during the period 2017-1994, e.g. China, Greece, Israel, Japan, and Ukraine. Then I am going to just list the Russian group wins with relevant music, restraining from comments on both good and bad, as in my opinion, politics interferes with RG here way too much at the expense of the sportsmanship. And finally, I am going to complete this series with Bulgaria, the host country of 2018 Worlds.




Here are links to the winning Belarusian routines at Olympics and Worlds together with their music:

Olympic Medals:

- 1 -

2012 Olympics London, UK - Silver

Rhythmic Gymnastics – Group All Around – Final – London 2012 – Olympic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLlbjT3jXh4 5 : Team Belarus 5 balls final Olympic games London 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcCbsTDinCU&t=5s

MUSIC: Allegro Non Molto (Winter) from Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi 3+2 : Belarus – 3 Ribbons +2 Hoop – Group All Around Final – London 2012 – Olympic, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw8ir-xLptc&t=2s

MUSIC: ?? City of Delusion by Muse ?? Diablo Rojo by Rodrigo y Gabriela Feat. C.U.B.A. - 2 -

2008 Olympics Beijing CHN – Bronze 5 : Belarus 5 Ropes Final - OG Beijing 2008, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1XRaoX4hGM&t=4s MUSIC: Deux Guitares by Roby Lakatos



3+2 : Belarus 3 Hoops 4 Clubs Final - OG Beijing 2008. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVh9PWr94TE&t=2s

MUSIC: Flamenco Bolero by Gustavo Montesano & Royal Philharmonic Ochestra - 3 -

2000 Olympics Sidney, AU - Bronze 5 : Belarus 10 Clubs 2000, MUSIC: Karapet Dance by S. Hvaschinski

3+2 : Belarus 2 Hoops + 3 Ribbons 2000,

MUSIC: Composition (originally In the Hall of the Mountain King) by Anatoly Vekshin (originally Edvard Grieg) WCh Medals:

- 4 -

2014 WCh AA Izmir TK – Bronze

HIGHLIGHTS - 2014 Rhythmic Worlds, Izmir (TUR) - Groups All-around - We are Gymnastics!, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9G3mytg33k&t=973s

FULL REPLAY - 2014 Rhythmic Worlds, Izmir (TUR) - Group All-around Part 1 - We are Gymnastics!, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UovDLpkwP0

FULL REPLAY - 2014 Rhythmic Worlds, Izmir (TUR) - Group All-around Part 2 - We are Gymnastics!, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi0J7k-gYDM 5 : WC 2014 Izmir Groups Finals Belarus 10 Clubs, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsiWji8rGoI

MUSIC: Chez les yé-yé by Boogalox 3+2 : BELARUS 3 BALLS+2 RIBBONS/RG WORLDS IZMIR 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-en8RfkldY

MUSIC: Sabre Dance by Khachaturian - 5 -

2013 WCh AA Kiev, UA - Gold

5 : Belarus 10 clubs - Kiev 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG40yKOFPyA

MUSIC: 24 Caprices, Op. 1: Caprice No. 24 in A Minor, Op. 1, No. 24 by Ilya Kaler 3+2 : Belarus 3 balls + 2 ribbons - Kiev 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8xZCIjFaIk .

MUSIC: Another Cha Cha by Santa Esmeralda

- 6 -

2010 WCh AA Moscow RU – Silver

MUSIC: Russian Accordions by Ian Tabachnik 3+2 : Belarus. 3 Ribbons + 2ropes. RG WC 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjKdDr6hJ9E

MUSIC: Tanguango by Ryoto Komatsu


- 7 -

2009 WCh AA Ise, Mie JP – Silver

2009 World Championships Group All Around Final (Group B) (HD), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqSFbrYVHIw&t=131s

5 : Belarus 2009 Mie WCh EF 5 Hoops, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIq-x0KoEnk MUSIC: Electra by Chris Spheeris 3+2 : Belarus 3 Ribbons 2 Ropes WCH Mie 2009, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rr_eDhCHIs

MUSIC: Flames by Talisman

- 8 -

MUSIC: ?? La Cumparsita from Strictly Ballroom by David Hirschfelder & The Bogo Pogo Orchestra ?? Whacked Out Conspiracy frin BO Madagascar by Hans Zimmer 3+2 : Belarus - 3 hoops 4 clubs - Portimao 2007 (final), www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkQ0NBdiWLg

MUSIC: ?? 2006-2007 Burly Brawl from Matrix Reloaded by Rob Dougan ?? 2007 Sabre Dance by Bond


- 9 -

2005 WCh AA Baku AZ – Bronze 5 : Belarus 5 Ribbons 2005 BakuWCh AA, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZKSpl4VCGY MUSIC: El Choclo by Quandro Nuevo 3+2 : Belarus 3 hoops and 4 clubs Final Baku World Championships 2005, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWUwD1Ra2so

MUSIC: Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor by Maksim Mrvica

- 10 -

2003 WCh AA Budapest, HU - Silver 5 : Belarus (BLR) 5 Ribbons 2003 AA (WC, Budapest), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2IiAxJgRmg

MUSIC: ?? 2003 Samba Adagio by Safri Duo ?? 2003-2004 Worm Lounge #1 (Worms in Black) from Men In Black 2 by Danny Elfman 3+2 : Belarus (BLR) 3 Hoops & 2 Balls 2003 EF (WC, Budapest), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O145hV9iqr8

MUSIC: Leyanda by Vanessa Mae

- 11 -

2002 WCh AA New Orleans US – Bronze 5 : Belarus (BLR) 5 Ribbons 2002 AA (WC, New Orleans),`https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_D1M7p_qo4

MUSIC: Samba Adagio by Safri Duo 3+2 : Belarus 3 Ropes 2 Balls 2002 New OrleansWC EF,`https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYCBM50IAkM

MUSIC: Tango (originally Piano et voie rythmique) by V. Tkachenko

- 12 -

1999 WCh AA Osaka JP - Bronze 1999 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. Groups. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyXqftxUcx4 5 : Belarus. 1999 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. Clubs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaRRIM6JA90

MUSIC: Friend Like Me from Aladdin by Anatoly Vekshin 3+2 : BELARUS 2 hoops 3 ribbons - 1999 Osaka worlds EF, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nOf6KPBDOA

MUSIC: ??? (maybe 2000 Composition (originally In the Hall of the Mountain King) by Anatoly Vekshin (originally Edvard Grieg?) - 13 -

1998 WCh AA Seville ES – Gold

Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships A-A Groups (part 1/2) 1998, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUvlFA6bys0

Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships A-A Groups (part 2/2) 1998, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQcE64HKiw8 . 5 : Belarus 5 Balls Sevilla 98, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgdOQDp3P-U

MUSIC: ?? (Maybe 1997 Standing in Motion by Yanni?) 3+2 : Bielorussia 3 Ribbons 2 Hoops 1998 Sevilla WCh AA, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZUE_rqehyg

MUSIC: Baila Morena by Julio Iglesias

- 14 -

1996 WCh AA Budapest HU - Bronze

Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships AA Groups 1996 (Part 1/2), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-a4NXvLgwU ;

Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships AA Groups 1996 (Part 2/2). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG9_-xiS3RY 5 : BELARUS 5 hoops - 1996 Budapest worlds EF, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Duz1Z48yO7k

MUSIC: Ad Or Haboker (One Time in Israel) by Anatoly Vekshin 3+2 : BELARUS 3 balls 2 ribbons - 1996 Atlanta Olympics prelims*, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLG09eKXMFI

MUSIC: ??? *No video from 1996 WCh was found online.

- 15 -

1995 WCh AA Vienna AT – Bronze

1995 RG worlds Vienna - AA, indiv and groups EF, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNd0x_lHp_U 5 : Belarus 5 hoops 1995 EF (EC, Prague)*. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0PvsqF7xhg MUSIC:: Ad Or Haboker (One Time in Israel) by Anatoly Vekshin

*No video from WCh AA Vienna was found online.

3+2 : Belarus (BLR) 3 Balls & 2 Ribbons 1995 AA (WC, Vienna), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NAQI2AVKzY

MUSIC: ???


 
 
 

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