Gymnastics career
Poliakova started rhythmic gymnastics when she was three years old after a doctor recommended the sport to help with her flat feet. She moved from Samara to Moscow in 2012 to further her training after being invited to join the Russian national team.
Poliakova was selected to compete for the Russian group at the 2015 Junior European Championships. She won a gold medal in the group all-around competition and a silver medal in the 5 balls final, behind Belarus.
Poliakova became age-eligible for senior competition in 2016 and was added to the senior Russian national group. She competed at the 2016 European Championships, helping the Russian group win the all-around title. She was initially named to represent Russia at the 2016 Summer Olympics; however, she broke her ankle and was removed from the team. She still traveled to Rio de Janeiro to train as Russia's reserve athlete, but she did not receive a medal.
Poliakova returned to competition and was selected for the 2017 World Championships team. She helped the Russian group win the all-around title, and she also won a gold medal in the 3 balls + 2 ropes final and a silver medal in the 5 hoops final. At the 2018 European Championships, she won gold medals in the team event and the group all-around event. She won a silver medal in the group all-around at the 2018 Minsk World Challenge Cup, where Russia lost to Italy. Then at the Kazan World Challenge Cup, Poliakova and the Russian group lost the all-around title due to a tie-breaker against Italy.
One month before the 2018 World Championships, Poliakova tore a ligament in her ankle, but she still competed against her doctor's recommendation. She helped Russia defend their World group all-around title and qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics, and she also won a silver medal in the 3 balls and 2 ropes final.
