Alexandra Merkulova
| Alexandra Merkulova | |
|---|---|
Alexandra Merkulova at the 2012 Grand Prix Vorarlberg
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| Personal information | |
| Full name | Alexandra Sergeyevna Merkulova |
| Nickname(s) | Sasha, Merku |
| Country represented |
 Russia
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| Born |
25 November 1995 Kemerovo, Russia |
| Hometown | Kemerovo, Russia |
| Height | 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) |
| Discipline | Rhythmic gymnastics |
| Level | Senior International Elite |
| Club | Gazprom |
| Gym | Novogorsk |
| Head coach(es) | Irina Viner |
| Choreographer | Veronika Shatkova |
| Retired | 2015 |
| World ranking |
13 (2013 Season) 7 (2012 Season) 8 (2011 Season) |
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Medal record
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Alexandra Sergeyevna Merkulova (Russian: Алекса́ндра Серге́евна Мерку́лова; born 25 November 1995) is a retired Russian individual rhythmic gymnast. She is the 2010 Youth Olympic Games champion and the 2012 European all-around silver medalist.
Merkulova is the middle child of five children. She has two older sisters (Olya and Natasha) and two younger brothers (Savva and Vasya). On June 10, 2016, she married ice hockey player Igor Ozhiganov, who plays for HC CSKA Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Merkulova began rhythmic gymnastics because her mother wanted her to be a dancer, and her father wanted her to do sports—rhythmic gymnastics was the compromise. She is often compared to Alina Kabaeva in looks and in style. Merkulova said, "Alina is my greatest idol since childhood. But I have never tried to imitate her. People say that my smile is similar to hers. I think that for both of us, to smile during the performance is quite natural, because we have a great pleasure during the performance."
Merkulova's junior international debut came in 2008. After winning all-around gold at the 2008 Junior Grand Prix Final in Bratislava and in the 2010 Junior Grand Prix in Innsbruck, she won the all-around gold at the 2009 Pesaro Junior World Cup, the 2010 Saint Petersburg Junior World Cup and won 3 gold medals in team, rope and ball at the 2010 European Junior Championships. Merkulova then won gold at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games held in Singapore.
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