In February 2016 Moscow hosted the Moscow Grand Prix and the Alina Cup at the same time, giving the rhythmic gymnastics season a strong start. It was the first major test of the year for gymnasts preparing for the April Olympic test event, the June European Championships and the Rio Olympics.
Seniors
World and European champion Yana Kudryavtseva did not compete. Aleksandra Soldatova scored 18.300 or more with every apparatus and won the all-around with 74.066, adding gold with hoop and ball and silver with ribbon.
Margarita Mamun showed new routines but mistakes with ribbon and hoop kept her off the all-around podium. With ball she had the top score of the competition, 18.966, and in the finals she shared ball gold with Soldatova and won clubs.
A new generation
The twins Arina and Dina Averina looked ready to challenge the established Russians. Arina took all-around bronze and won the ribbon final. The Alina Cup set a participation record, and big crowds confirmed how popular the sport was in Russia.
Looking back
Mamun won the Olympic title in Rio six months later, and the Averinas went on to dominate the next cycle.
Related: Dina Averina turns heads at the 2017 Moscow Grand Prix.
