Natalia Lipkovskaya is a retired rhythmic gymnast

Rhythmic gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which individuals or teams of competitors manipulate one or two pieces of apparatus: rope, clubs, hoop, ball, ribbon and Free . An individual athlete only manipulates 1 apparatus at a time...

 from Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

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Natalia started gymnastics training in 1983, taking 2nd place in the national championship in 1993 and 1995.

She made first international appearance at the 1995 tournament in Corbeil-Essonnes

Corbeil-Essonnes

Corbeil-Essonnes is a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.Although neighboring Évry is the official seat of the Arrondissement of Évry, the sub-prefecture building and administration are located inside the commune of Corbeil-Essonnes.In the 19th...

, ranking 7th and earning a gold medal at the 1995 World championship in Vienna

1997 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships

XXI World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships were held in Berlin, the capital of Germany, October 23–26, 1997-Individual All-Around:-Individual Rope:-Individual Hoop:-Individual Clubs:-Individual Ribbon:-Team All-Around:-References:*...

 for the team event. In 1996 Lipkovskaya won an international tournament in Portugal

Portugal

Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...

 and a bronze in one event at the European championship

Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships

The Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships are the European championships for the sport of rhythmic gymnastics. They were first held in 1978. Prior to 2006, they were called the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. The competition is organised by the European Union of...

, but missed the 1996 Summer Olympics

1996 Summer Olympics

The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....

 in favor of higher-ranking teammates.

In 1997, following the injury of Amina Zaripova

Amina Zaripova

Amina Zaripova is a retired rhythmic gymnast with Tatar roots. She competed for Russia. Her older sister, Venera Zaripova, is also a retired rhythmic gymnast. Her husband is Alexei Kortnev, lead singer of Neschastny Sluchai.-External links:...

, Lipkovskaya took the lead of Russian national team at the 1997 World championship in Berlin

1997 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships

XXI World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships were held in Berlin, the capital of Germany, October 23–26, 1997-Individual All-Around:-Individual Rope:-Individual Hoop:-Individual Clubs:-Individual Ribbon:-Team All-Around:-References:*...

, scoring two gold, three silver and one bronze medal, and ranking second after the winner Elena Vitrichenko

Elena Vitrichenko

Olena Ihorivna Vitrychenko is an Individual Rhythmic Gymnast. She comes from a gymnast family - her mother Nina was also a rhythmic gymnast and indeed was also her daughter's coach at the famed Deryuguina School in Kiev...

. She retired due to recurring injuries in 1998.

Natalia Lipkovskaya holds a degree in psychology

Psychology

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...

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