Polina Berezina: A Rising Elite Rhythmic Gymnast and National Champion
Polina Berezina stands out among rhythmic gymnastics elites as she advances toward international stages. Based in Guardamar del Segura, she earned a bronze medal in the hoop final at a World Cup event, a milestone that positions her as a strong contender for Paris. Her eighth-place finish in the general classification also mirrored a solid performance in the club final, a moment she considers unforgettable from a championship held in Greece.
As a five-time defending absolute Spanish champion in the honors category (2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022), Berezina ranks among the top three Spanish solo rhythmic gymnasts with the most national titles. Almudena Cid and Carolina Rodríguez hold the two spots ahead, with eight and nine titles respectively. Internationally, she achieved 22nd place in the individual final at the Baku World Championship and was 19th all-around at the 2019 European Championship, underscoring her growing presence on the world stage.
Born in Moscow in 1999, Berezina moved to Guardamar del Segura in 2001 and began rhythmic gymnastics at age seven. A year later she joined the Torrevieja Rhythmic Gymnastics Club, training under the guidance of Monica Ferrandez. She received Spanish citizenship in June 2013 to compete with the national team. In the same year, at the World School Games (Gymnasiade) in Brasilia, she won bronze in hoop, placed fifth in ball, and ribbons and clubs all earned top-five finishes, while finishing fifth in the all-around. This early success helped shape her progression toward becoming a more complete gymnast.
The Torrevieja gymnast recently celebrated another milestone, securing bronze again in the hoop event. This achievement was highlighted by the national federation in a caption that honored her performance and persistence.
Polina began a new phase last October, embracing significant changes in her athletic life. Following the 2022 World Championships in Sofia, the Russian-born athlete relocated to the High Performance Center in Madrid to intensify her training. In Madrid, she is preparing for a pivotal season with August’s World Championship in Valencia serving as the primary audition for Paris. Her goal remains clear: to participate in the Paris Olympic Games and continue pursuing excellence on the world stage. A key adviser in her preparation is Alejandra Quereda, an Alicante native who earned an Olympic runner-up finish in Rio 2016 and captained the Spanish team. Quereda serves as the national coach for individual and team events. Berezina acknowledged in interviews that her Greece performance marked a high point, describing eighth place in the overall standings and bronze in the hoop final as among her best results ever, a testament to her ongoing growth and potential for future podiums.