Viner was unimpressed initially but accepted her at the urging of Russia's national team choreographer, Veronica Shatkova.

For six years she competed under the shadow of other Russian gymnasts, Yanina Batyrchina, Amina Zaripova, Natalia Lipkovskaya and then Alina Kabaeva.

She performed her "Dying Swan" ball routine and received the unofficial title of Miss Bolshoi Theater.

Barsukova won many rhythmic gymnastics titles after her emergence in major competitions as a second member of the Russian team.

[1] Barsukova was married to Denis Samokhin, a Russian former ice dancer, in 2008 they had a son, Nikita,[2] but they eventually divorced.