Ksenia Vitalievna Poliakova (Russian: Ксения Витальевна Полякова; born 25 August 2000) is a Russian former group rhythmic gymnast. She is a three-time World champion and a three-time European champion, and she was an alternate for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
| Kseniia Poliakova | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Ksenia Vitalievna Poliakova | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alternative name | Ksenia Polyakova | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 15 August 2000 Samara, Russia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gymnastics career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discipline | Rhythmic gymnastics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Country represented |  Russia (2016–2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gym | Novogorsk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Head coach | Irina Viner | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assistant coach | Tatiana Sergaeva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Gymnastics career
editPoliakova started rhythmic gymnastics when she was three years old after a doctor recommended the sport to help with her flat feet.[1] She moved from Samara to Moscow in 2012 to further her training after being invited to join the Russian national team.[2][3]
Poliakova was selected to compete for the Russian group at the 2015 Junior European Championships.[4] She won a gold medal in the group all-around competition and a silver medal in the 5 balls final, behind Belarus.[5]
Poliakova became age-eligible for senior competition in 2016 and was added to the senior Russian national group. She competed at the 2016 European Championships, helping the Russian group win the all-around title.[6] She was initially named to represent Russia at the 2016 Summer Olympics; however, she broke her ankle and was removed from the team. She still traveled to Rio de Janeiro to train as Russia's reserve athlete, but she did not receive a medal.[1][3]
Poliakova returned to competition and was selected for the 2017 World Championships team. She helped the Russian group win the all-around title,[7] and she also won a gold medal in the 3 balls + 2 ropes final and a silver medal in the 5 hoops final.[8] At the 2018 European Championships, she won gold medals in the team event and the group all-around event.[9] She won a silver medal in the group all-around at the 2018 Minsk World Challenge Cup, where Russia lost to Italy.[10] Then at the Kazan World Challenge Cup, Poliakova and the Russian group lost the all-around title due to a tie-breaker against Italy.[11]
One month before the 2018 World Championships, Poliakova tore a ligament in her ankle, but she still competed against her doctor's recommendation.[3] She helped Russia defend their World group all-around title and qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics,[12] and she also won a silver medal in the 3 balls and 2 ropes final.[13]
Personal life
editSince retiring from rhythmic gymnastics, Poliakova has worked as a coach in the sport. In 2024, she married Olympic fencing medalist Anton Borodachev.[3]
References
edit- 1 2 Skatina, Eva (11 July 2017). "Высший класс Ксении Поляковой" [Ksenia Polyakova's top class]. Samara Newspaper (in Russian). Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ Savinova, Alina (17 October 2024). "Полякова рассказала, как в детстве расстроилась из-за третьего места: «Мне подарили куклу, но я стою вся зареванная»" [Polyakova recounted how she was upset as a child about finishing third: "They gave me a doll, but I'm standing there all teary-eyed."]. Sport Express (in Russian). Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Volkova, Alena. "«Упала на попу — пригласили в Москву». Гимнастка-чемпионка — о свадьбе, карьерных злоключениях и питании в спорте" ["I Fell on My Butt – They Invited Me to Moscow." A Champion Gymnast on Wedding, Career Misadventures, and Nutrition in Sports]. Sport 24 (in Russian). Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ "Определен состав сборной России для участия в чемпионате Европы" [The Russian national team for the European Championship has been determined]. Gimnastika (in Russian). 13 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ "Review of the 31st European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships". European Gymnastics. 2015-05-07. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ↑ "Сборная России в групповых упражнениях завоевала золото многоборья" [The Russian team won gold in the all-around competition in group exercises]. Gimnastika (in Russian). 17 June 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ "With World Group All-around title, Russia extends its reign in Pesaro". International Gymnastics Federation. 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ↑ ""Farfalle" soar to Group gold on final day of Rhythmic Worlds". International Gymnastics Federation. 2017-09-03. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ↑ Giles, Thomas (2 June 2018). "Russia claim double gold at European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships". Inside the Games. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ "Ashram, Italian group victorious in Minsk". World Gymnastics. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ "Soldatova, Italian group claim Kazan World Challenge Cup". World Gymnastics. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ "Russia claims Rhythmic Group All-around title". International Gymnastics Federation. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ↑ "Bulgaria, Italy avert Russian sweep in Sofia". International Gymnastics Federation. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
External links
edit- Ksenia Poliakova at World Gymnastics
- Ksenia Poliakova at InterSportStats
