Russia’s Angelina Melnikova has made a striking comeback at the international gymnastics scene, marking her return with notable victories at the 2025 World Challenge Cup held in Paris. After a hiatus since 2021 due to geopolitical tensions and sanctions, Melnikova secured a gold medal on the balance beam and a silver on the floor exercise, showcasing her enduring talent and competitive spirit.
Melnikova, the third-most decorated gymnast in Russian history, is no stranger to the spotlight. She played a pivotal role in the 2021 competitive season, leading the Russian Olympic Committee to a historic gold over the United States at the Tokyo Olympics and clinching the all-around title at the World Championships. However, her ascent was interrupted by the ramifications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, which led to a ban by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) prohibiting Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in FIG-sanctioned events.
The ban was lifted in early 2024, allowing Russian athletes to return under the designation of “individual neutral athletes” (AIN). This decision sparked controversy and outrage, particularly concerning Melnikova’s involvement, given her affiliation with the Central Sports Club of the Army (CSKA), which is under the Russian Ministry of Defense. Many view her as a representative of an organization involved in military aggression, leading to her being labeled a “Champion of Terror” by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence.
Complicating matters further, Melnikova has publicly aligned herself with pro-war sentiments, sharing supportive content on social media, including the emblematic Z-symbol associated with the war. In addition to her gymnastics career, she ventured into the political arena, running for a local election in Voronezh as a candidate for the pro-government United Russia party—though she later withdrew to focus on her sport. Critics argue that this indicates a persistent political affiliation.
Despite these controversies, Melnikova took to the mat in Paris to compete against fellow gymnasts from other countries. The Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation voiced their opposition to her participation, pulling all seven of their athletes from the competition in protest. Nonetheless, during the qualifications held on September 12, Melnikova excelled, qualifying for the finals in multiple events, except for uneven bars, where she faced a fall.
The medal round saw her delivering strong performances, ultimately obtaining gold on the balance beam and silver on the floor exercise, finishing second only to Romania’s Sabrina Maneca-Voinea. The crowd in Paris warmly received her performances, with Melnikova expressing her joy and gratitude after competing. “I have no words on how happy I am. I am so happy to be here,” she stated, thanking the audience for their support.
Looking towards the future, Melnikova’s success in Paris could have significant implications for the upcoming World Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, in October. While this year’s championships will be individually focused, the return of Russian gymnasts—led by Melnikova and newcomer Anna Kalmykova, who is currently ranked highest in the world—raises questions about how they will impact the competitive landscape against reigning champions like Team USA and Italy.
As gymnastics gears up for its premier annual event, the global stage may witness a reassertion of Russian prowess in the sport, despite the surrounding turmoil and controversy.
