Nickname
Alex, Sasha (Facebook profile, 20 Sep 2022; jewishnews.net.au, 06 Jun 2019)
Occupation
Athlete, Student
Education
Law - Monash University: Australia
Spoken languages
English, Russian
Club
Le Ray Gymnastics Academy: Sydney, NSW, AUS
Coach
Dani Le Ray [club], AUS; Katie Sigsworth [club], AUS
Sporting relatives
Her mother Valeriya Clement competed in ballroom dancing and Latin dancing for 15 years. (gc2018.com, 13 Apr 2018)
Injuries
In early 2021 she underwent surgery on an abdominal injury. (Facebook page, 07 Feb 2021)
Start sporting career
She took up gymnastics at age two. She began practising ballet, performance arts dancing, and rhythmic gymnastics at age six at Prahran Rhythmic Gymnastics Centre in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. She first competed in national events at age 10.
Reason for taking up the sport
Her parents encouraged her to try rhythmic gymnastics. "It was my parents' way of developing discipline, determination and work ethic in me. At 11 I won my first international competition in Spain and that was the moment where everything lined up and I knew I wanted to pursue this sport to the max."
Ambitions
To compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Outside of competitive gymnastics, she aspires to work in sports law. (asf.org.au, 18 Mar 2023; sahof.org.au, 01 Jan 2023)
Trainings
She trains for more than 40 hours a week.
Hero / Idol
Uzbekistani rhythmic gymnast Ulyana Trofimova. (gc2018.com, 13 Apr 2018)
Most influential person in career
Her parents. (thewest.com.au, 06 Aug 2022)
Philosophy / Motto
"I think luck has little play when it comes to elite sport. The honour to represent our country comes with hard work, sweat and bruises." (gymnastics.org.au, 16 Aug 2019)
Awards
In 2022 she received the Australian Sports Medal. (Facebook page, 07 Nov 2022)
She was named 2022 Gymnastics Victoria High Performance Gymnast of the Year. (Facebook page, 22 Nov 2022)
She was named 2020 Senior Rhythmic Gymnast of the Year by Gymnastics Australia. (Prahran Rhythmic Gymnastics Facebook page, 14 May 2021)
She received the 2019 Senior International Rhythmic Gymnast of the Year award from Gymnastics Australia. (Gymnastics Australia Facebook page, 25 May 2020)
Additional information
TRAINING OVERSEAS
In 2021, due to COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, she decided to make a temporary move to the Russian Federation in order to have better access to training and international competitions. She has also spent time training with the Azerbaijan national team in Baku. "I've been going on long training and competition trips since I was 14. Out here I need to think and plan ahead, and tend to my needs more attentively. Despite all these difficulties, I love the challenge, I love my sport of rhythmic gymnastics, and I represent Australia with pride on the world's sporting arena. Every day makes me a more resilient and stronger person." (Facebook page, 08 Dec 2022; Instagram profile, 19 May 2022, 20 Mar 2022, 18 Dec 2021; australianjewishnews.com, 19 Nov 2021; connectedcommunities.monash.edu, 11 Nov 2021; Prahran Rhythmic Gymnastics Facebook page, 09 Oct 2021)
BALANCING SPORT AND STUDY
In 2021 she began studying law at Monash University in Australia. "Sport taught me organisation, patience and work ethic, which in turn allow me to compartmentalise study, training and recovery. If you really want something to be done, you'll find a way, not an excuse." (Instagram profile, 27 Nov 2021; connectedcommunities.monash.edu, 11 Nov 2021; Prahran Rhythmic Gymnastics Facebook page, 09 Oct 2021)
Last update : 2024-07-22
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