20 Facts About Alexandra Merkulova

Alexandra Sergeyevna Merkulova is a retired Russian individual rhythmic gymnast.

Alexandra Merkulova is the 2010 Youth Olympic Games champion and the 2012 European all-around silver medalist.

Alexandra Merkulova has two older sisters, Olya and Natasha, and two younger brothers, Savva and Vasya.

Alexandra Merkulova is married to Igor Ozhiganov, an ice hockey player for SKA Saint Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League, and they have a son together.

Alexandra Merkulova is often compared to Alina Kabaeva in looks and in style.

Alexandra Merkulova then won gold at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games held in Singapore.

In 2011, Alexandra Merkulova struggled with new routines in her first year as a senior, but eventually went to the Montpellier World Championships to compete in clubs.

Alexandra Merkulova won the silver medal in all-around at the last stage of the 2011 World Cup series behind teammate Daria Dmitrieva.

In 2012, Alexandra Merkulova won the Tashkent World Cup All-around title and the individual apparatus finals in ball, hoop and clubs.

At the Grand Prix Vorarlberg in Austria in July 2012, Alexandra Merkulova won the bronze medal in all-around behind Kanaeva and Dmitrieva as well as silver in the hoop finals.

Alexandra Merkulova was named as Russia's nominal second entry for the individual all-around at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, alongside Kanaeva Dmitrieva replaced her in Russia's final entries on August 2,2012, due to Merkulova's foot injury.

In 2013, Alexandra Merkulova returned to competition after one month of training since recovering from her injury.

Alexandra Merkulova won bronze in All-around at the Thiais Grand Prix and silver medals in ball and clubs final.

At the second World Cup series of the season, held in Lisbon, Portugal, Alexandra Merkulova won silver in All-around but withdrew from the hoop event because of a sprained ankle.

Alexandra Merkulova withdrew from the 2013 Sofia World Cup and was replaced by Yana Kudryavtseva.

Alexandra Merkulova returned to competition at the 2013 Corbeil-Essonnes World Cup, placing fourth in All-around and winning bronze medals in the hoop and ribbon finals.

Alexandra Merkulova was initially listed in the Russian team for the 2013 European Championships in Vienna, Austria but was later replaced by Kudryavtseva.

Alexandra Merkulova placed 5th in hoop and 7th in clubs.

Alexandra Merkulova was seventh at the 2013 Grand Prix Brno and withdrew from the Grand Prix Final in Berlin.

In February 2015, Alexandra Merkulova announced the end of her competitive sport career as a gymnast at the 2015 Grand Prix Moscow gala.