The correspondent talks about how the new Russian champion in rhythmic gymnastics Lala Kramarenko came to her triumph.
The official end of the career of long-time leaders of the national team Dina and Arina Averina raised the question: who will now intercept the heavy banner of the leading gymnast of Russia. After all, in addition to all the accompanying goodies in the form of judge loyalty, medals and fan love, she receives a vote of confidence from head coach Irina Viner. And this, in terms of responsibility, is comparable to the role of a caryatid, which holds the power of concrete slabs and the ideas of a great architect on its graceful shoulders. Not everyone can handle it.
And everything seems to be obvious, because Lala Kramarenko was clearly and unequivocally designated as the favorite of recent years. She has a unique mastery of the body and a noticeable individuality — despite the external coldness, an internal fire bursts out. The audience loves this. Wiener knows how to package this.
But the last Russian championship, with all the favor towards Kramarenko, was won by Anna Popova. Lala could not find the balance between “should”, “can” and “want” — she was let down by health problems and psychology. Perhaps because all this time she seemed to share responsibility with the “half-completed” Averins, remaining in the shadow of their titles and reputation. Who is the hardest worker on the team? Dina and Arina. Who works best with the subject? Dina and Arina. Who is the real woman here, mature and beautiful, ready to put all the sensuality and salt of the earth into her performance? Dina and Arina. Wiener emphasized this in every interview, including moments when the Averins did not even participate in competitions.
More than any other foundation of order in the national team, Irina Viner honors subordination. Just as in respectable families of the 18th century it was not customary to bring younger daughters into the world before the elders found their place in the sun, so in the Russian national team it is impossible to climb the stairs to the top in two leaps. Perhaps the coach tried with all her might to prolong the sisters’ careers when they themselves clearly had no time for gymnastics. Perhaps she unconsciously held on to the past, which could no longer be returned — the Averins were the last Russian gymnasts to win major international titles.
In general, no matter how much interest in Lala Kramarenko was fueled, she could not completely straighten her shoulders.< br>Lala reacted in a unique way to the unspoken but readable reproaches of her youth, inexperience and difficult character. Since she objectively could not compete with her sisters in physical maturity (they are 6 years apart), they relied on visual effects. Lala has the most mature manipulations with her appearance, the most eye-catching makeup and hairstyles, and every leotard is a new word in the fashion of rhythmic gymnastics. It is usually believed that only those who have earned it with sweat and blood can go ahead of style. Lala appropriated this property to herself by right of charisma. She sometimes has silver hair, sometimes a curl on her forehead, while others wear strict buns; swimsuits-dresses, swimsuits with boleros and a lot of other innovations. Kramarenko is discussed and, inevitably, condemned. Such is the fate of prominent people.
Lala's first Russian championship, without regard for her older sisters, became an opportunity to force the announcer at the Gymnastics Palace to pronounce her name in a full voice. She was not perfectly prepared for it, because she had been seriously ill the day before, but even in this form she was 10 points ahead of all her rivals in the all-around. And although the current champion Anna Popova missed the championship due to injury, there were no questions left about Kramarenko’s victory here and now.
Suddenly on Friday there were rumors that Kramarenko would not participate in the finals of certain events. The reason is health problems. Commentators even managed to announce the withdrawal in the broadcast of the competition — which means they had the relevant information in advance. But Lala in full cosmetic parade — when did she have time to get ready? — still went out onto the carpet. And she won gold in all finals. Considering the injury, I won with one left hand. Apparently, it was a matter of principle for her — to take all possible crowns, so that later she would not have to share them with anyone. This is how, in two days of competition, Kramarenko became a five-time champion of Russia (in addition to previous gold medals in certain events), including the absolute champion.
Now no one will blame her young age, which does not suit her to have outstanding ambitions. In addition, Lala turned 19 a couple of months ago, and this is already her peak in gymnastics. Evgenia Kanaeva during these years, for example, was an Olympic champion.
Lala Kramarenko is a treasure of the country, a brilliant export product that Russia could be proud of at the highest level competitions. And it’s not her fault that she doesn’t have any adult export successes yet and doesn’t expect them to. Well, let's admire it ourselves.