DHL Impact Player: Mikhaltsova leaves rivals behind in Kitakyushu

Russian captain Alena Mikhaltsova puts on a staggering performance to top become the DHL Impact Player for the second time this season, making it three out of three for the Russian team.

Russia continues to dominate the DHL Impact Player award. After three rounds of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, we have two Russian winners. 

After topping the DHL Performance Tracker to grab the award at the 2017/18 Series debut in Dubai, Russian captain Alena Mikhaltsova broke free of her rivals in Kitakyushu to seize her second DHL Impact Player award of the season. Her teammate Baizat Khamidova took the honors in Sydney in round 2.

“How good was she?” asked DHL Ambassador, Rob Vickerman, as the tournament came to a close. “60 points!”

But that high score – one of the highest of both the 2017/18 Men’s and Women’s Series – wasn’t the only thing that wowed the former England Sevens captain turned Sevens commentator.

“More impressive than that, she made more than 50% line breaks for every carry she had.”

“She made more than 50% line breaks for every carry she had. That is a staggering statistic!”

Rob Vickerman, former England Sevens Captain and DHL Ambassador

Fine form
The 24-year-old was in fine form at the Mukuni World Stadium, finishing the tournament six points clear of Fiji’s Ana Maria Naimasi in the DHL Performance Tracker to continue Russia's dominance of this award. 

Mikhaltsova made an impressive 26 carries (matched only by Spain’s Patricia Garcia), 14 of which included line breaks, meaning she broke through over 50% of the time. And that figure was twice as much as her closest rival.

“That is a staggering statistic!” exclaimed Vickerman. 

The Russian flyer was at the heart of her side’s every action, displaying her potency on the attack by finishing the tournament as the top try-scorer with 11, including a record-tying five in the fifth-place semi-final victory over England. A 14-tackle tally demonstrated her equally dogged determination on defense. Six offloads brought her total to 60 points for the Japanese round of the series.

“Alena Mikhaltsova makes it 3 out of 3 for the Russian team.”

Rob Vickerman

France’s Camille Grassineau was the top tackler with 27, while Cheta Emba, Rusila Nagasau and Japan’s captain (and local fan favorite) Chiharu Nakamura made the most offloads with seven.

Solid lead
Mikhaltsova has now opened up a solid 25-point lead over Nakamura in the DHL Performance Tracker for the 2018 series. And New Zealand's Michaela Blyde is only 5 points her, with Sydney IPA Khamidova right on the Kiwi’s heels.

Both Mikhaltsova and Khamidova have been signature features on the Russian squad this series, and they are sure to be on the pitch for round 4 in Langford, Canada, on May 12-13. Needless to say, USA’s Leyla Alev Kelter, New Zealand’s Emma Tonegato and Japan’s Yume Hirano, who round off the top seven on the DHL Performance Tracker, have their work cut out for them.

Series leader
Though New Zealand beat France 24-12 in the final to retain their title in Kitakyushu and close the gap on Australia overall, Australia stay at the top after their first loss of the season. At 56, their lead is now cut to six points with two rounds to go in Langford and Paris. 

Russia are a further eight points adrift at 42 after finishing fifth, while France’s runners-up finish means they now sit fourth with 40 points. Canada and Spain complete the top six with 32 points apiece.
 
The Women’s Sevens Series now treks north for the next round in Langford, Canada on May 12-13.

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