Yet in June Irina won International Cup of Stavropol TV in Kislovodsk, where many interesting gymnasts from several countries have been performing. She won all-around and routine finals. In 2001-2002 season she took part in all big competitions of Russian labor unions sports organization: championship, Cup, "Hopes of Russia" tournament. Irina was the champion and made peculiar record.

In December 2001 at International competitions "Gorenkova's Memorial" in Omsk city with the best gymnasts of Russia I.Chaschina, Z.Gizikova, V.Sesina, O.Manuilova Irina reached not only the final of all-around but separate routine finals, where got 4th, 5th and 6th places following leaders. For her bright and emotional performance Irina was awarded by special prize "Miss Charm".
In February 2002 at Championship of Russia among girls in Vladimir city she reached the final of all-around, improving her personal result by 35 places at once: she got 48th place in 2001 and 12th in 2002.
After success at regional championship in March 2002 in Moscow Irina at the first time took part in Russian National Championship finals. In preliminary stage she came into first 30 gymnasts, then got 18th place and came into top 20's - Russian National team.

Time was inexorably passing, the sport season was in its pride. We urgently needed a training base and any sport club membership to perform at official competitions. We got several propositions but stopped at trade union sport organization "Russia". With help of first Moscow RSG coach G.A.Bakaeva we began to train at Olympic sport junior school not far from metro station "Voykovskaja". School director I.V.Zhukova and her substitute M.A.Levitskaja kindly welcomed our small group. In the hardest time when first competitions begin they have been visiting almost all Irina's performances.

Suddenly new problem appeared. As it happened, nobody was waiting for us in Moscow rhythmic gymnastic. Irina was not admitted to near Moscow championship in December 2000 because allegedly she was not from our sport school and our application was falsified. With great difficulties we proved the contrary and Ira was allowed. However in spite Irina performed according a programme of master of sports and was essentially outlined against other gymnasts, her marks and final result were worse than results of gymnasts with programmes of candidate for master of sports.

Then we had to meet trade union gymnastics. In February 2001 in "Russia" championship Irina affected specialists and amazed an audience but got only 6th place, failed to make a breach in the wall of warped judgment at the first stroke. However due to T.S.Makarycheva and her love at first sight to Irinka, Kazakova was included in "Russia" sport organization's team at the first time. After that she thawed the ice of judges' subjectivity, won all possible titles in her sport organization and never yielded leadership. There was only thing left - she had to crack "Moscow defence", which (one trainer said) was willing to larn disobedient gymnast and her trainer. Ira was included into 6 gymnasts (among them there was present leader of Kazakhstan national team Alia Yusupova), who were permitted to take part in final competitions of Russia National Championship 2000 in Moscow hors concours. But even then she was not allowed to try a carpet with a reason that she is not in the list of participants. Only due to G.A.Bakaeva who has left all her affairs, came to Novogorsk to the base of Russian national RSG team and spoke with team chief trainer I.A.Viner, the problem was solved. Then we were told that they simply "forgot" to include Irina to the list but time for try carpet for her group has gone. Next day Irina performed without any preparation but specialists and spectators highly appreciated her performance. It was that day when Irina Aleksandrovna Viner saw Ira for the first time, called her and approvingly spoke.
At that moment, having a title of master of sports candidate Irina very successfully performed at serious national and international tournaments of 2001. And only in December 2001 she got her really deserved title of Master of sports of Russia. After junior Russian championship in Vladimir town in February 2002, where she got 13th place (previous tournament gave her only 46th place among 48 participants), Ira was invited for the first time to the Novogorsk National Russian team base. There were perfects terms for trainings, but unfortunately she didn't stay there for a long time. Ira had to return to previous conditions.

Training continued in our sports school with much worse terms: a carpet of non-standard size and facture, no special changing room and room for rest for leading gymnasts, which train from morning till evening. It's really not enough for gymnasts of such level as Irina. She needed more competitions, even without any sponsoring, because she had no any scholarship etc. and nobody was going to give it to her. She over aged some level of tournaments and needed to compete with stronger rivals in order to get fighting devil and high-level experience.

According to final results of 2002 Russia Championship (18th place) Ira had to be included into national team, but (somebody said) the rules changed again and she again missed. Anyway she made great 2 year progress from unknown gymnasts to national team's threshold, but nobody could recognize her further prospects in her 16.

Year 2002-2003
First start on September 26, 2002 in Saint Petersburg. The Cup of Russia, where Irinka tried her new programme.
Right after this Irina flew to international (13 countries) tournament in Bratislava, Slovakia, where got 1st place in rope routine and 2nd place in both hoop and ball routines. It was her first tour abroad not taking into account countries of exUSSR. There she was handed a cup and hand-made diplomas.
Irinka got 2nd place in Moscow Cup (28-30 of October, 2002).
In December Irina was invited to perform at Belarus championship hors concours. I. Leparskaja gave Irinka sincere tumble and took her to training camp.
After having performing at Moscow districts tournament (she got there 2nd place on December 23) Irina succeeded to get 1st place in championship of sport schools of Moscow and Russia.
In January 2003 Irina went to training camp to Minsk.

Irinka denotes: "Trainings were very proper, there were many things to learn. Gymnasts of national team are independent and self-confident. There is no dictation but there's self-discipline. After fair work they rest in special comfortable rooms with all necessary things for refreshment - sauna, massagers, vitamin drinks. And energetic of professional sportswomen was so magnetic that I didn't want to leave…". When Irinka was leaving, I.Leparskaja invited her again.
In the Cup of Sports Center "Russia", January 23-27, 2003, Irina got 1st place. Irina says: "I like to perform at Liubertsy trade union sports club very much. There are very thankful spectators".
Spectators love Irina as well and look forward to see her, sometimes till late at night, because there are always many performers from whole Russia. And reward for devotion is Irina's performances, which are regularly renovated by new elements and bonuses.
This time rules were changed and performances became more complicated for all competitors. Irinka answered expectations and amazed by her ribbon routine. Just by 11 day in camp in Belorussia she with her trainer Irina Fridrikhovna created composition, which met all last requirements of modern rhythmic gymnastics.
Irina satisfies her spectators by show routines "Snake", "Cat", "Spirit", which every time are being changed, become more original and spectacular. She works on some more routines, which audience may see next season.
Irina performs her show routines in any mood and condition, extending herself, with all her charm, courage, artistry. Then she gives autographs with love and makes photos with all comers. "It's pleasant, it gives me new energy" - she says.
In 2002 Irinka finished secondary scholl in absentia, almost with "perfect" mark. It was because she needed to catch international competitions with Russian national team. When the team was reduced and Irinka lost a place there, which she has been securing with work, tenacity and hardest sacrifices, she was very disappointed. She has even been thinking about actors' institute. She really has this nature of actress. Irina would play any role - earlier she could play comedian one, now tragedian as well.
But it was Irinka who decided to continue fighting. She could not reconcile sports and school and chose to train on. It's necessary to do all perfectly. Irina's mama and trainer approved her choice. Irinka says: "Some time ago I was thinking that everybody's criticism is baiting, I was huffy. Now I realize that my relatives try to make me better in such way. However strange criticism is baiting (joke)…"
There was Sports Center "Russia" tournament on April 03-06, 2003. Irina was first. Moscow championship in all-around, April 08-09, 3rd place (Elena Sudakova was first there), ball routine - 2nd place, ribbon - 2nd place (this time Irina left E.Sudakova at the post).
Irinka notices: "People begins to avow and respect me, but it seems to me that the reason is only my industry. Everybody loves wheelhorses here. It slightly disappoints me. I'd like to be valued for beauty and grace, for "flight of spirit"and inspiration… I hope that sometimes it will happen…"
April 25, 2003 - Murmansk rating international tournament "Northern lights" - 1st place in all around.
April 29 - May 03, 2003 - again International tournament in Belarus Republic, where Irinka got 1st place in all around seniors' programme. In official competitions in separate routines: ball - 1st place, hoop - 1st place, clubs - 1st place, ribbon - 2nd place.
May - tournament in Moscow is expected, then trade union championship, and finally Championship of Russia in Samara city.
Last year Irina was called as "girl-icebreaker", who breaks "blocks of ice of people's cruelty". Now she is called as "girl, who takes all from the bottom of the heart".
But Irinka supposes: "People, it's so good to live with God in the heart, create with Him, sip from your soul. This source is ever-living. It's endless, as well as there is no limit for perfection…"

In May competitions took their course, among them Moscow trade unions, Murmansk and other tournaments. Russian Championship in Samara was the final of whole season.
When Irinka has got 1st place in trade-union competitions, performing 4 routines in one day, we understood that she comes tired to main tournament. It was not really possible to restore after one weekend, but it was necessary.
Irinka slept out good, and then went to her family and trainer to Aqua Park. Sauna, chuting and hydromassage did their best
Water really helps to destress. First you give back cumulative negative potential, then charge yourself for new trainings and competitions.Rest in Aqua Park after hard trainings and competitions.

Samara city (Russia)
Irinka went to Samara in good game mood. In the first day her routine with hoop and ball was excellent, according to trainer I.F.Matveeva and first coach G.A.Bakaeva. Her performance was scientific, with courage. But short after announced mark 27,2 changed into 22,7. The mercury was sharply felt, 2nd day passed without serious mistakes, with good technique, but also without any "ginger". Irina did all good, but piked because of fear to make the least mistake. She knew that she would not be forgiven. But judges have already appreciated her and were ready to give high marks.
Irina realized that it was important to optimize distribution of her abilities between all routines, choose right tactics of performances toreach constant high level.

In the issue Irinka got 14th place in all-around and qualified for the final only with ribbon.
Suddenly I.A.Viner came to see final competitions and saw Irinka's performance (even this, not the best one). She appreciated Irina's routine and much better form. Viner noticed constant and fast progress of Irinka as gymnast (it's very important in sports). Irina Alexandrovna "accepted" Irinka to the view, approaching and kissing her. Viner congratulated G.A.Bakaeva and I.F.Matveeva with obvious successes, thanked them for good work and preparation of deserving representatives of Russian Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics.

Holon town (Israel)
Irina Alexandrovna began to take essential part in Irinka's training. She took Irinka to Novogorsk, sent her to training camp and attached best trainers of the country to Irina's training process. As always, Viner's judgement did not betray her.
After Russian national championship Irina Alexandrovna sent Irina with trainer I.F.Matveeva to Grand Prix tournament with representatives of 12 countries in Holon, Israel. Russian team consisted of Irina Kazakova and Marina Shpekht.

In the issue Irina got 2nd place, being 0.3 points behihd 1st number of Belarus national team (two times European champion and two time vice-champion of the world among clubs Kurilskaja).