Zhiganshina/Gazsi teamed up in 2005. Gazsi went to Moscow looking for a new partner and eventually found Zhiganshina and stayed in Russia. The couple moved back to Germany for training in spring 2009. Zhiganshina competed with Denis Bazdyrev until 2004, representing Russia. She received German citizenship in November 2013. Her younger brother Ruslan is the 2012 World Junior Ice Dance Champion (with former partner Victoria Sinitsina), competing for Russia.