Alexander Maltsev became a two-time European Champion in this program after a crushing victory in the Championship held in London in 2016.

The second place was taken by the Italian synchronized swimmers Giorgio Minisini and Manile Flamini, the three prize-winners were closed by the Spaniards Berta Ferreras and Po Ribes Kulla.

The successful performance of the Russian mixed duo at the 2018 European Championships was commented on by the President of the Synchronized Swimming Federation Alexei Vlasenko.

“We have again confirmed our skills in all programs. We were especially pleased with our mixed duet. The guys showed real class, convincingly demonstrating that they are head and shoulders above all rivals, given that their program was many times stronger and more difficult. We are actively working to ensure that the mixed duet program is included in Olympic program... The only problem is that there are few athletes in this discipline. But we are confident that in the coming years the number of such athletes will increase significantly ”.

ALEXANDER MALTSEV

Alexander Maltsev- the first and only Russian synchronized athlete. Two-time champion World, two-time silver medalist of the World Championship, three-time European champion in the mixed duet program. Honored Master of Sports.

Biography and sports career

Synchronized Swimming Champion Alexander Maltsev was born in St. Petersburg on June 22, 1995. When the boy was 6 years old, his mother took him to the synchronized swimming section. The boy's parents wanted young Alexander to stop being afraid of water and learn to confidently stay on the water, as well as develop his physical data a little, because as you know, synchronized interpreters are actively mastering gymnastic elements and jumping into the water. Who knew that synchronized swimming will become a credo for Alexander. Alexander Maltsev synchronized swimming mastered in the sports school "Nadezhda". A little later, Alexander trained at the Ekran Sports School and the Nevskaya Volna Sports School.

After a while, the young athlete was offered to go to the "men's" water sections - diving or water polo, but Alexander, unexpectedly for everyone, refused. And success was not long in coming. Soon Alexander Maltsev synchronized swimmer began to take prizes in synchronized swimming tournaments one by one.

After graduating from school, Sasha moved to the capital, where he entered the Russian State University physical culture... The young man's coach was Maria Maksimova, Honored Trainer of the Russian Federation.

In 2012 Alexander Maltsev begins to play for the sports club of Strasbourg. As part of the French club, Alexander twice won the gold medal at the regional junior championship.

In May 2013, Alexander gains a resounding victory at the Paris International Championships in a solo program.

In the same year, Maltsev joined the Russian synchronized swimming team, becoming the first and only male synchronized swimmer in the Russian national team.

Autumn 2014 International Federation swimming coordinated the holding of competitions with the participation of male athletes in the framework of the World Championship aquatic species sports. Then this news was not perceived by everyone with understanding, it literally destroyed the previously established stereotypical thinking. Many synchronized girls then even stated that they could not perform in a duet with a man. Among the first who spoke out against were the champions Svetlana Romashina and Anastasia Ermakova, who said that the performance of a man in this sport was at least unaesthetic.

But Alexander Maltsev destroyed all speculation, proving that a male synchronized interpreter is not only aesthetically pleasing, it is also worthy of the title of Champion. A Main coach Russian national team Tatyana Pokrovskaya decided to give a chance to the first male synchronized interpreter and included him in the team for the World Championship.

But before the start of the World Championship, there was participation in the first ever international championship among mixed duets, held in Rome. Together with Darina Valitova, Alexander Maltsev won gold in the technical program.

A lot of controversy, reflections ... and now Alexander Maltsev goes to the 2015 World Championship in Kazan. For the first time in history, a new discipline has been included in synchronized swimming - mixed duet competitions. Alexander Maltsev performed in tandem with Darina Valitova.

Preparations for the Championship were serious. Alexander soberly assessed his rivals and understood that the fight would be extremely difficult. The main rival Maltsev considered the American Bill May. At one time, Bill made an extraordinary sensation in world sports, becoming the first male synchronized interpreter.

July 30, 2015 was the day of triumph for Alexander Maltsev. The Maltsev-Valitova duet takes gold in the mixed discipline. A couple of days earlier, legendary Bill May and Christina Lam-Underwood became gold medalists in the technical program, Russian athletes took second place. But in free program the Russian duet turned out to be stronger! American athletes this time took only second place, and Italian synchronized interpreters closed the top three.

The performance of the Russian mixed duo made a splash! Alexander performed in the costume of a soldier of the Soviet army. The musical accompaniment was a melody from "17 Moments of Spring". It was a real theatrical performance, embodying the scene of Stirlitz's meeting with his wife. The program was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory Day.

In January 2016 FINA named Alexander Maltsev the best synchronized interpreter of 2015.

In May 2016, in the framework of the World Aquatics Championship in London, Alexander Maltsev with his new partner Michaela Kalancha became a two-time European champion, having won 2 gold medals at once.

In the autumn of the same year, the duet Maltsev - Kalancha took gold at international tournament in synchronized swimming in China.

In the summer of 2017, their duo won gold and silver medal at the World Aquatics Championships.

According to the results successful performances Synchronized Swimming Federation recognized Alexander Maltsev as the best world synchronized swimmer.

Since 2018, Alexander Maltsev has been paired with Maya Gurbanberdiyeva, two-time European champion. As part of their performances at the European Championship, they became gold medalists in the technical program.

Personal life

The personal life of a synchronist is hidden behind seven seals. Alexander Maltsev carefully hides all aspects of the personal. V social networks the athlete prefers to share exclusively sports achievements.

MAYA GURBANBERDIEVA

Maya Gurbanberdieva- a young synchronized swimmer, already twice awarded the title of "European Champion in synchronized swimming".

The first trainings took place at the MGFSO school. Among juniors Maya Gurbanberdieva won the title of champion of Russia three times.

Among the main awards of the athlete: championship at the European Games in group performances and combinations, the title of champion in the European championship among juniors (gold medals in combination and group performance), two-time European champion among juniors (2016 and 2017), two-time world champion among juniors.

Since 2018, Maya Gurbanberdieva has been performing in the discipline of mixed duets in tandem with Alexander Maltsev.

Even more interesting articles and sports news on the site

How does a pioneer in this sport live in Russia?

Russian synchronized interpreter Alexander Maltsev at the recent European Championships won two gold medals in mixed doubles with Maya Gurbanberdiyeva... In an interview with SE, he told how many teams are now included in the world elite, why you should not wait for the appearance of purely male disciplines and how to react if the judges underestimate the marks.

- Mixed duets have gradually ceased to be a curiosity. Do you think there is a sufficient number of male synchronized interpreters for international level and how high is the competition?

Over the years, naturally, both the number of participants and the competition are growing. On almost every major tournament shoots out someone new. For example, at the 2017 World Cup it was clear how the Japanese had grown noticeably - in Kazan in 2015 they were not yet strong, and in Budapest they could well have fought the Americans for third place. In general, there were 13 duets in the world, there is still room for progress, but the most important thing is that about five of them fought for medals at approximately the same level.

YOU NEED TO GROW YOUNG SYNCHRONISTS

- What are the main problems in the development of this discipline now?

In Russia, everything goes a little belatedly - only two years after the inclusion of the mix in the program official competitions we have begun to recruit boys to sports schools, standards for them have appeared. But in the future, in synchronized swimming, disciplines may appear where there will be more men - for example, mixed groups. And we need to have guys growing up who can get into the national team. In the same Japan, whole male groups train, which existed until 2015.

- You are still often called the only male synchronized interpreter in Russia - how much truth is there in this definition now?

We already have both juniors and very young children who are starting to practice in mixed doubles. So now I am not the only one, but the first professional man in synchronized swimming. Of course, I follow how the guys perform, but so far they are all at a younger age, and there is no competition among adults.

- When did they start to recognize you on the streets?

Back at the Kazan World Championship. It happens that they find out in Moscow too, they come up on the metro. It also happens in St. Petersburg.

- You don't have many official starts, do you have enough competitive practice?

I would like to perform more in the World Series. There are 10 stages from which we are in this season performed on only two. Hopefully next year we will go to the World Series more often. After all, in order to get into the overall standings and qualify, for example, for prize money, you need to start at least four stages.

MEN'S DUETS WOULD LOOK NICE

- Synchronized swimming is a very subjective sport. How do you react if you see that the referee gave you the wrong mark that you expected?

We try to react as quickly as possible and get an answer from the judge - why exactly such points were given. Of course, there are such cases. In our sport great importance for the assessment has the experience of the athlete, his name. Many high-level athletes cannot immediately get to the very top, first you need to bang your head against the wall so that the judges notice and put it on a step higher.

- From this point of view, is the fact that Russia has long been considered a trendsetter in synchronized swimming - more in plus or minus for athletes?

Before major competitions, it is always discussed - you need to change the leader, and how much is already possible. They talked so openly about mixed duets in Kazan. But when the participants just arrive, they have so-called workouts with music - when the team in the competition pool gets a certain time to go through their programs. You can work as long as you like without music. And when the Russian national team begins such a training session, literally everyone gathers, begins to watch, evaluate, and immediately see that we have prepared something new and the fight will again only be for the second or third place. (smiles)... And when the level is much higher, the judges cannot do anything about it.

- In your opinion, will a purely men's team ever beat a purely women's team in synchronized swimming?

It seems to me that it is generally wrong for men and women to compete with each other. Their criteria should be different. I think if someday a men's group appears in our sport, it will be, rather, acrobatics. After all, men can do acrobatic elements more interesting, higher and more difficult.

- And, for example, purely male duets - is it a complete utopia or a completely definite future?

I think it's a utopia. They are unlikely to appear. As a separate number, in the program of some show it can be interesting, and it is practiced - a complex program, again with acrobatic elements... But, given that there are not so many real directors in synchronized swimming who could beat this properly, purely male duets would look ridiculous and ridiculous in competitions.

MAIN OBJECTIVE - OLYMPIC GAMES

- If we talk about the global task of developing mixed duets, what is it?

Our the main objective at the international level - Olympic recognition. This is very important for the popularization of our discipline.

- Upset when the mixed mix was rolled past Tokyo 2020?

I won't say that much, but, of course, I was upset. Moreover, the program Olympic Games many mixed disciplines entered, and the policy of the IOC is now aimed at just that.

- If suddenly this happens not even in Paris in 2024, are you ready to wait until Los Angeles-2028?

I don't look so far yet (laughs)... The question with Paris is still open.

In the foreseeable future, competitions of mixed duets (man plus woman) may appear in the program of the world championships, said the vice-president of the Russian Synchronized Swimming Federation, three-time Olympic champion Olga Brusnikina. It is unlikely that this will happen at the next world championship in Kazan-2015, but the October Congress of the International Swimming Federation ( FINA) can replenish the program of the 2017 World Cup with a new discipline.

The only hope of Russia in pair synchronized swimming is a 19-year-old resident of St. Petersburg - told "SE" about his hard way in the most non-masculine sport.

- Alexander, how did it happen that you got into synchronized swimming?

When I was seven years old, boys were recruited in St. Petersburg for a synchronized swimming group. This is the direction in which to initial stage includes many other types of training - acrobatics, gymnastics, diving, swimming. That is, if you wanted, you could switch to another sport in a year. But I did not want to switch, because I was interested, everything began to work out. Although initially I could not even swim.

- Did you study in a mixed group or were there only one boys?

No, there were both boys and girls. But boys, of course, are few - one or two in each group.

- Was it difficult for you to work in such an environment when there are only girls around?

At first I was not alone, it was normal. But when the only male remained, all sorts of difficulties began to arise. At the age of 12, girls began to see a serious competitor in my face, and it became much more difficult to communicate at this age.

- You started in St. Petersburg, why did you end up in Moscow?

There was no coach in St. Petersburg who would like to work with me. After all, men's synchronized swimming, let's say, is an unofficial sport. The mentors passed me from hand to hand several times, and I had no prospects. And then I got to the Russian championship and was impressed by the performances of Maria Nikolaevna Maksimova and her daughter Ghana. I wanted to meet them. And after that he moved to Moscow. Since then I have been training with the Maximovs, studying and living in the capital.

- How is it built training process? Are the loads serious?

Differently. We train in three different pools - at the Russian State University of Physical Culture, at the Olympic and sometimes at the Luzhniki Stadium. It happens that in the morning we train in one pool, in the evening - in another. The workouts also differ in duration - there can be one long or two medium lengths.

- Do you study individually or in a group?

Maria Nikolaevna has a group of very young children, and there are older guys. And we all do it together, we just do different tasks. Personally, I am currently working in tandem with a girl with whom we are doing a mixed duet.

- Tell us about your partner.

Her name is Anna Petrishcheva, she has a very high level training, she is a member of the Moscow synchronized swimming team and a multiple champion of Russia.

- Are you purposefully preparing the pair program for future competitions?

We have already performed at an international tournament in France. It is held every year and is open to both women and men. Of course, these competitions are lower than the World and European Championships. But to compete at official starts, which are held according to the rules FINA , men in synchronized swimming cannot yet.

- And how are you doing, how did you perform this year?

Ok, everyone liked it. True, many saw the performance of a mixed duet there for the first time. The judges didn't even quite understand how to evaluate us - the mixed duet competed with the girls' duets. It is clear, after all, that some elements are easier for a man to do than for a woman, and some are the other way around. Therefore, the referees did not know what marks to put. But after the competition, many came up to us and spoke very well of our work.

- Is it more interesting for you to work alone or in pairs?

Of course, it's easier to perform alone - you don't have to think about synchronicity: if you make a mistake somewhere, it is not so striking. In a duet with a partner, even a small glitch immediately becomes visible. But I still like to work in pairs more - it's more interesting and spectacular. The performance of a mixed duet is somewhat reminiscent of a pair figure skating... A kind of dance on the water - here you can show some kind of relationship between a man and a woman, which two girls cannot do.

- What other synchronized swimming competitions can men take part in?

At domestic Russian competitions, I can only compete out of competition, because they are all held under the auspices of FINA ... The judges do not know how to give me marks, because the rules of synchronized swimming exist only for women. It turns out that each arbiter puts what he himself considers necessary.

- It turns out that there are no real competitions in your life. Are you worried about this?

Of course I'm worried! I really want to perform at official starts. I devoted so many years to this sport and I don’t want to leave it. I hope that mixed duets will appear in the official competition program.

- Did you have any thoughts of switching to another aquatic species, in which men do not have such difficulties?

When I first started doing synchronized swimming, I didn't even think about it. Then, when something began to work out, I was invited to other types - to water polo, sports swimming, diving and even choreography and various dance groups. But the results came - and I did not leave.

- With next year mixed duet performances are going to be included in the world championship program. Are you ready to perform there with your current partner?

Firstly, as I understand it, so far we are talking only about the possibility of such an inclusion. This issue will be discussed in October at a meeting FINA ... A decision will be made there.

- Do you believe that someday you will win a real medal, maybe even an Olympic one?

Of course I believe in it! Therefore, I continue to practice synchronized swimming.

Olga Kuzhela:
"I will quit if I am forced to work with boys."

Olympic champion at the 2008 Beijing Games in synchronized swimming and coach Alexander Maltsev don't like the idea of ​​mixed doubles.

If pair synchronized swimming becomes the official sport at the World Championships and they force me to recruit boys to the group, then I will probably quit. My subjective opinion: this is not at all male look sports. And I don't want to develop a different orientation among the guys, - said Olga Kuzhela.

- But you worked with Alexander Maltsev?

This is a completely different moment. Sasha is really very good athlete, a very intelligent young man - finished school with a gold medal. It would seem that all his life they laughed at him about synchronized swimming, but he did not pay any attention to it. It always surprised me and made me respect him. Once I told him: "If you were a girl, you wouldn’t have a price." And he: "I have no price anyway." That is, he has his own core, he knows what goal he is striving for. I really appreciate it in people. Although in this case, the ultimate goal for Sasha looked, you see, blurry. Well, he could not, in fact, even as a child know that someday there will be talk about men in synchronized swimming at the world championships. At best, he was able to participate in good show programs. And that is not the highest paying job. In a word, if mixed pairs really become an official independent species, then I will be happy for Sasha Maltsev. He worked very hard and actually achieved good results.

- Why are you against the rest? What if a dozen new Maltsevs come to you?

Sasha is still an exception to the rule. If he wins a medal, I'll be happy for him. Moreover, he has a very good family. Sasha really wanted to do this sport, and we tried to help him as much as possible. Now he is in his place. But all this is just for him. As for the rest ... In my opinion, a man, no matter what he does, should cover his legs. Whether it's ballet, dancing or something else. And when he opens his legs - it's something strange. They tell me: in synchronized swimming, men can wear a wetsuit. But it will still be "licked" to the feet. A Beautiful legs among the representatives of the stronger sex, when applied to our sport, they are very rare. I mean the stretched toe and all that jazz. For me, I repeat, this is wild. I teach girls to smile, dress with taste, be beautiful anytime, anywhere, even when they enter the dining room. And what should I teach the boys?

FINA included mixed duos in the FINA World Aquatics Championships almost four years ago. Since then, he managed to become the most titled simultaneous interpreter on the planet. RIA Novosti recalls how it all began.

At some point, the International Olympic Committee gave the order: "stir and shake." And in some sports, mixed types of programs have appeared. Swimming - mixed relay, mixed relay in biathlon. But it seemed that at that time, historically purely female species, this would certainly not affect.

But one day, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) dared. And she didn't just make up her mind, it was decided to immediately introduce mixed duets into the program of the World Aquatics Championship, which was less than a year away at that time. When this initiative was submitted to the Congress, few believed that it would find support, but it turned out differently. And in the very first commentary, the head coach of the Russian national team Tatyana Nikolaevna Pokrovskaya mentioned Alexander Maltsev, the only synchronized player in Russia. She once invited him to a training camp with the first team.

"Television filmed a story about me, they agreed with Tatyana Nikolaevna to show me to her, and she invited me. As a result, I trained with the team at two training camps ... The girls worked, and I was nearby and also learned the elements. I I was ready to train 8-10 hours a day.Previously trained in St. Petersburg, but the coach was not interested in working with me, because men's synchronized swimming is in the official program major competitions no. So I was on my own, "- said the athlete himself then.

His parents gave him to the synchronized swimming - there was a set of boys: "Quite a lot of children came. But then they stopped recruiting and the guys began to leave, someone was expelled. As a result, I was left alone."

We then spoke with Alexander "Crocus". He performed on the show. "This is plastic swimming. My coaches Maria Nikolaevna Maksimova and Gana Maksimova are engaged in the project" Theater on the Water ", an artist of which I am." By that time, there was already experience and starts at international competitions in Paris, in a mixed duet with Anna Petrishcheva under "The Four Seasons" by Vivaldi.

The most famous synchronized interpreter at that time was American Bill May, who performed in Moscow at a show with Russian synchronized swimming stars. "I don't know personally, but I saw him in his programs. I know that he is now performing at water show Cirque du Soleil. I don't particularly admire his programs. He has his own style, but I like it differently. Artistically, I don't really like his performances, he has more and more technical skills. "

“There are a certain number of male synchronized swimmers abroad, but since they are not practicing professionally, their level is not high. People, just when they watch such performances, begin to treat men's synchronized swimming negatively. that women cannot show. Men can show strength, women - beauty, grace. They will complement each other, you need to understand this. "

It was in 2014. Just a couple of months later FINA accepted mixed duets into its aquatic family. Already in the summer, Maltsev with his partner Darina Valitova competed with the same Bill May. Beal became the first world champion in history, but in the next program Maltsev and his partner surpassed the Americans.

A year later, the first and only Russian synchronized interpreter won the first ever European title in 2016, and in 2017 he added another world title to this, but again - one of two possible at this tournament. The technical winners were Italian Giorgio Minisini and Manila Flamini. There were questions for refereeing, stress again, now for the Maltsev / Michael Kalanch duet. Among the referees was Minisini's father, who could hardly do without questions.

And here is 2018. The first ever European Championship in summer species sports - Maltsev wins both programs with his new partner Maya Gurbanberdiyeva and again, not without incident - three supports are urgently withdrawn due to the ambiguous interpretation of the rules. But here he and Maya are absolute champions. Maltsev exhales: "The stress, of course, was strong, but this is not my first stress. Now I react to this more calmly, I can say that I have become more stress-resistant, I took it all calmly - not the first time," he says.

"Now we are already perceived differently, mixed duets have entered the program of the most prestigious competitions, we perform at the World Championships, Europe, the World Series. In general, the number of participating countries is increasing," says Maltsev.

But this stress was the first in a mixed duet for his partner Maya, but she also coped with dignity. “We have an unusual duet, even from other teams, coaches notice that we have a special understanding, there is a contact. It is very important that the audience and the judges feel this, so that there is harmony,” he adds.

The duo spends almost all their time together.

"After the technical program in Scotland, we got to the festival in Edinburgh - we liked the city very much. We sat in the restaurant, had a good rest, gained impressions. It was very great. It is a pity that there was not enough time to walk yet. On the last day we went to Loch Lake. Lomond, visited the University of Glasgow, a museum. We are together almost all the time during the year, when we are at the base. Plus we are always in touch. We are very accustomed to each other, but we know that at least sometimes we need to rest from each other. Now there will be a rest, then preparation again. "

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Alexander Maltsev is a Russian athlete, the only man of the Russian synchronized swimming team, multiple champion the world and Europe in a mixed duet. Alexander's persistence and talent contributed to the popularization of the traditionally "female" sport among men in Russia.

Today the International the Olympic Committee the question of including a mixed and so far only female solo in the Olympics program is already being considered.

Childhood and youth

Alexander Maltsev was born in St. Petersburg on June 22, 1995. At the age of 6, my mother took Sasha to the synchronized swimming school. She wanted to relieve the boy of his fear of water. At that time, the son did not know how to stay on the water and was very afraid of it. To teach how to conquer your fear and develop your son physically - these were the goals of Maltsev's parents. In addition, synchronized swimming included gymnastics and diving.

Later, Sasha was offered to switch to more "men's" water polo or diving, but Maltsev refused. The coaches noted Sasha, and his sports career rushed up. Success was not long in coming. The young athlete regularly took part in regional competitions.

Already in his youth, Alexander began to think about a coaching career. After graduating from school, Maltsev went to Moscow, where he entered the Russian State University of Physical Culture. Its preparation was carried out by the honored trainer Russian Federation, Professor Maria Maksimova. In 2017, the athlete graduated from the university, having passed the state exams with excellent marks. After receiving his bachelor's degree, Alexander continued his studies at the magistracy of the RSUFKSMiT.

Synchronized swimming

In the 2012/2013 season, Maltsev played for sport Club Strasbourg. As a member of the French club, he won 2 awards - gold medals at the regional championship among juniors.

May 2013 brought 18-year-old Maltsev a victory at the Paris International Tournament in the synchronized swimming soloists' competition.

In the 2012/2013 season, Maltsev played for the sports club of Strasbourg

In the same 2013, Alexander became the first and so far the only male synchronized swimmer in the Russian national aquatics team. On November 29, 2014, at its congress, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) unexpectedly decided to include competitions with the participation of male synchronized swimmers in new program World Aquatics Championships by breaking old patterns.

Many titled synchronized swimmers said that they could not perform in a duet with a man. This was categorically announced by the four-time Olympic champion Anastasia Ermakova. She also spoke about the “unaesthetic” presence of men in this sport. two-time champion London 2012.

However, the mentor of many Olympic champions and the head coach of the Russian national team Tatyana Pokrovskaya, although she doubted whether the team with such a composition would make it to the World Championship, nevertheless decided to give 19-year-old Alexander a chance. After disputes and deliberations, it was decided that in July 2015 Maltsev will perform at the World Cup in Kazan in a new discipline - mixed duet competitions with, which was already part of the Russian national team.

Alexander was delighted when he learned about an unexpected decision to include a new discipline by FINA in the 2015 World Cup program. The athlete hopes that this will help popularize synchronized swimming among men in Russia.

Preparing for the championship, Maltsev knew that the fight would be difficult. Strong duets from the USA, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine announced their participation. Sasha considered an American Bill May, who was one of the first male synchronized interpreters in the world and made a splash in his time, as a serious opponent.

On July 30, 2015, the main event of the day, of course, was the triumph of the pair of Alexander Maltsev and Darina Valitova in the mixed discipline, new for synchronized players. A few days earlier, an American couple (Bill May and Christina Lam-Underwood) won the mixed doubles technical program, but the Russians won in the free program, taking full-fledged revenge. This time the Americans took the second place, the Italians got the third place.

The performance of the Maltsev-Valitov pair was bright. At the same time, the Russian surprised with his costume. The athlete appeared in the form of a soldier of the Soviet army during the Great Patriotic War. The couple performed to the melody from the movie "17 Moments of Spring", depicting the scene of Stirlitz's meeting with his wife. Athletes dedicated the number to the 70th anniversary of the great Victory.

Alexander Maltsev and Darina Valitova

The medal won by Alexander Maltsev, of course, was of historical importance.

“The feeling of complete happiness came after the announcement of the assessments,” the synchronized champion shared his emotions. “When they saw that we were the first, we thought: after all, there is justice in the world!”

The bright application at the world championship did not go unnoticed in the athlete's homeland. Maltsev was awarded the title of Honored Master of Sports of Russia. Alexander's success aroused the interest of the world and Russian media in his biography. The athlete's interviews began to appear in sports publications.

2016 brought another success to the simultaneous interpreter in the international arena. Together with his partner Michaela Kalancha, he became the medalist of the European Championship, and the couple won 2 gold at once - in free and technical programs. The merits of Maltsev were appreciated by the FINA organization, which awarded him the “Best Athlete of the Year” award in his sport.

In the fall, the athletes took part in the FINA Synchro World Trophy tournament, where they also won first place. Promising synchronized interpreters received an invitation to the 17th FINA World Championships, which took place in the Hungarian capital in mid-2017.

Maltsev and Kalanche had to prepare for it in difficult conditions. For six months, the champions were forced to train in late time as the synchronized swimming pool was overloaded. Other athletes trained here: Tatyana Danchenko with a duet and solo, Tatyana Pokrovskaya with a group.

Nevertheless, the performance of the pair at the championship was again at its best. The duo won gold in the free program and silver in the technical, losing first place to a couple from Italy. At these competitions, Alexander performed already taking into account the new rules that prohibit male synchronized interpreters from using makeup and costume.

In the Budapest basin, Alexander Maltsev fulfilled his dream - he did several difficult elements with the French synchronized swimmer Virginie Didier, whom he considers his idol in synchronized swimming.

Personal life

While the personal life of Alexander Maltsev is a blank slate, due to his youth, the synchronist does not think about his wife and children. All his time is occupied by sports, although the guy already has fans. Classes in an aesthetic sport dictate their own conditions: an athletic physique (with a height of 174 cm, its weight does not exceed 64 kg) is complemented by an impeccable appearance... In his Instagram profile, Alexander posts numerous photos taken in the pool, which delights subscribers.

At one time there were rumors that Maltsev had an affair with his partner in performance, Darina Valitova, but as the champion himself later explained, only friendly relations connect him with the girl. Deeper feelings than just friendship arose in Alexander in relation to the next partner - Michaela, but the period of falling in love did not last long.

The young man spends most of the year in Moscow and only visits his parents in St. Petersburg twice a year. Maltsev goes on vacation to Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

Alexander Maltsev now

In 2018, Alexander changed his partner again. Two-time European Games champion Maya Gurbanberdiyeva joined Maltsev. At the stages of the world championship, which took place in the capital of France and on the Greek island of Syros, the new duo won two gold medals.

At the end of the summer, at the European Championships, Maltsev and Gurbanberdieva again proved to be more successful than their colleagues, having climbed to the top step of the winners' podium twice.

Now Alexander devotes himself to training. In addition, the young man leads an active social life. Attends children for charitable purposes medical centers, participates in significant events such as the Days of the Far East in Moscow festival, the Glamor Woman of the Year award, where, together with Maya, he won the Team of the Year award.

In 2019, the athlete will continue to participate in international competitions. The synchronist hopes that the IOC will include mixed sports in the program of the Olympic Games, and then Russian athletes will be able to show themselves at the 2020 Olympics, which will be held in Tokyo.

Achievements and awards

• 2015 - silver and gold medal at the world championship in Kazan
• 2016 - 2 gold medals at the European Championships in London
• 2017 - silver and gold medals at the World Championships in Budapest
• 2018 - 2 gold medals at the European Championships in Glasgow