Aleksandra Soldatova, admired by many in the rhythmic world because of her expression, charisma, elegance, and incredible flexibility. As the new season is about to start, let’s take a moment to re-live some of her best routines over the years.
10. Aleksandra Soldatova Hoop 2014
Photo: Oleg Naumov (VFRG.ru)
In her first year as a senior and participating in her first ever world championships, this hoop routine will always be considered as a classic. It is a chance to see how far she has come. A star in the making. Watch the routine here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBZ5YeORwyc (video from: FIG Channel).
9. Aleksandra Soldatova Clubs 2016
Photo: Barny Thierolf Fotograf
In the Olympic year, this routine rapidly became a crowd favorite because of all the expressions made to match the traditional Russian music. Always a must for a Russian gymnast. Enjoy the routine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLexOratt7I (video from: RGYMRUSSIA).
8. Aleksandra Soldatova Clubs 2015
Photo: Ulrich Fassbender
This was from her second world championships in Stuttgart and earned her a silver medal in the finals. Performing to Straight from Memphis by Club des Belugas, it instantly became one of her best routines. Please enjoy her quirky choreography here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN45PGRkPwY&t=1s (video from: FIG Channel).
7. Aleksandra Soldatova Hoop 2018
Photo: Oleg Naumov
This is one of her most recent routines, performed last year at the all-around final in the world championships in Sofia. This was her second routine and she was hoping to comeback from a disappointing ribbon exercise. This earned her the hightest score of the competition and under this code of points, as well. The music, Malagueña from Stanley Black, a tribute to her beloved Spanish fans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmbbQN6mWI0 (video from: Julio Numbela).
6. Aleksandra Soldatova Ribbon 2016
Photo: Oleg Naumov (vfrg.ru)
Performing to Tchaikovsky at the Russian National Championships in Sochi, where she became National Champion, beating teammate and rival, Margarita Mamun, who in August that year won the Olympic gold medal. This exercise is almost as if she telling a love story, becoming one of her best interpretations. Watch her beautiful emotions here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3Ixcl1MaGY (video from: RGYMRUSSIA).
5. Aleksandra Soldatova Ball 2017
Photo: Oleg Naumov (vk.com)
2017 might have been one of the hardest years of her career because of an injury that kept her from competing at the world championships in Pesaro and the lack of support, since both Mamun and Kudryavtseva retired after the Rio Olympics. The Averina twins meant new competition, which no one expected to be so high. However, she will always be regarded as a Swan, mainly because of this incredibly graceful routine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZUTkB107FA (video from: makendawn).
4. Aleksandra Soldatova Ball 2015
Photo: Olivier Aubrais
In her first year in the main team of the Russian National Team, Soldatova impressed with her technique and expression, far beyond her 16 years of age. Performing to Swan Lake, this routine instantly became a classic of her’s, if not a masterpiece. Do not miss this classic routine: https://vk.com/videos-20302033?section=album_55955131&z=video-45795948_171370112%2Fclub20302033%2Fpl_-20302033_55955131 (video from: Aleksandra Soldatova VK Official Group).
3. Aleksandra Soldatova Ball 2018
Photo: Oleg Naumov
Looking to comeback from a disappointing 2017, her 2018 routines focoused on her strengths, making her stand out from the rest. Her routines may not have been as jam-packed as her friends and rivals, the Averina twins. That does not mean she cannot challenge for gold, and the 2018 world championships were her time to shine. Do not miss this work of art to Don Quixote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s6CTAEMkF8 (video from: FIG Channel).
2. Aleksandra Soldatova Ribbon 2018
Photo: Oleg Naumov
What initially was her most difficult routine to tackle at the beginning of the season, later became one of the best masterpieces we may ever see. Performing to You Don’t Give Up on Love, a Russian classic, once again, made it one of the most emotional routines ever. Especially, when it means a qualification to the first ever all-around final and her first individual gold medal later on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2EsRHbjdWU (video from: FIG Channel).
1. Aleksandra Soldatova Ball 2016
Photo: Oleg Naumov (vfrg.ru)
Soldatova’s favorite music is Mama by Dalida and it was one of her wishes to have an exercise with it. 2016 was the year. This may be regarded as one of the most perfect routines ever executed in rhythmic gymnastics. I had the privilege to watch this live at the 2016 Lisbon World Cup, and it was simply beautiful, leaving me with goosebumps and emotional. Unforgettable. Witness a Sasha masterpiece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkkMGYz3Sv8&t=5s (video from: Rhythmicool).