Anna Popova, a Russian artistic gymnast, recently shared in an interview with Match TV that she keeps up with both artistic gymnastics and figure skating during her free time. The conversation revealed a genuine appreciation for the world of figure skating, alongside her ongoing commitment to gymnastics.
Popova named her favorite figure skater as Anna Shcherbakova, the Beijing 2022 Olympic champion. She explained that she considers Shcherbakova a friend and understands how demanding the Olympic journey was for her. Popova noted that she has followed Shcherbakova’s preparation closely and admires the perseverance behind her success.
When discussing gymnastics, Popova highlighted a few favorites among the women and men in the sport. She expressed admiration for Viktoria Listunova and Angelina Melnikova among the female gymnasts, and for Nikita Nagorny among the male gymnasts, underscoring the strength and talent present in the sport today.
Shcherbakova’s professional status remained a topic of discussion as the 2022 season unfolded. She did not participate in competitions for a period after undergoing knee surgery at the end of August 2022, followed by several months of recovery. Reports later confirmed that Shcherbakova’s competitive career was set to resume, marking a hopeful return for fans and peers alike.
In related developments, Tatyana Tarasova, a revered former coach of the USSR, commented on the possibility of joining the broadcasting team as a commentator for the new season, signaling a potential shift toward media work for a figure well known in the gymnastics world. Tarasova’s potential involvement was discussed as part of broader conversations about sharing expert insights with audiences during next season’s events.