When people think of rhythmic gymnastics, they often imagine grace, elegance, and flowing routines. But behind every ribbon and hoop lies a world of discipline, resilience, and transformation. For Anastasiia Sotnykova, this world has been both a lifelong home and a stage for her evolution — from elite gymnast to international coach and judge.
Anastasiia's journey began in Crimea, Ukraine, where she stepped into a gym at the age of three and never looked back. She trained at the Olympic Reserve School “Dynamo” under the mentorship of elite coaches, including Vyacheslava Garan — Master of Sport of the USSR and national-level judge — and later Oksana Rizatdinova, head coach of the Crimean national rhythmic gymnastics team. Under their guidance, Anastasiia became a Candidate for Master of Sport (CMS) and represented Crimea at both national and international competitions. She is a multiple-time medalist at the Ukrainian National Championships, winning in both individual and group routines, and a champion at several All-Ukrainian and international tournaments.
After completing her competitive career, Anastasiia transitioned into coaching and officiating — becoming a certified coach and a rhythmic gymnastics judge in the United States. For the past two years, she has been training gymnasts at Florida Gymnastics Academy, coaching Levels 3 through 8. Her athletes have shown outstanding progress, with several ranking among the top 12 rhythmic gymnasts in the country and successfully qualifying for the USA Gymnastics Championships.
Anastasiia’s coaching philosophy blends classical Eastern European training principles with modern advancements in biomechanics, flexibility, and performance psychology. Each athlete receives an individualized program focused on posture, expression, apparatus mastery, and musical interpretation. She has also introduced choreographic micro-drills — short, emotionally driven sequences that refine artistry — and deep stretch recovery sessions that improve flexibility while preventing injury. Her gymnasts don’t just complete routines — they tell stories through movement.
As a certified USA Gymnastics judge, Anastasiia has officiated numerous sanctioned competitions from Levels 3 to 8. Her judging is marked by fairness, clarity, and empathy — rooted in her own experience as a former high-level athlete. She brings both technical precision and emotional understanding to every panel, ensuring each performance is evaluated with professionalism and respect.
Moving to the United States was a leap into a new system and culture, but Anastasiia has remained true to her core values: discipline, grace, and empowering young athletes through movement. She brings the depth of Eastern European technique into the heart of American rhythmic gymnastics — giving her students access to world-class methodology.
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Through her work as a coach, judge, and lifelong student of the sport, Anastasiia Sotnykova is shaping not just champions — but confident, expressive, and self-aware young women. Her mission goes beyond medals. It’s about building character, strength, and a lifelong love for the art of gymnastics.
