Kanaeva was selected to join a group of young rhythmic gymnasts from Omsk for try-outs in Moscow at the age of 12. Her performance caught the eye ofAmina Zaripova, who was in charge of the youth program. Kanaeva was then invited to train at the School of the Olympic Reserve. Kanaeva improved quickly under the supervision of Shtelbaums who was in Moscow as fellow Omsk native Irina Tchachina's coach. In 2003, at 13 years of age, Kanaeva debuted in international competitions and began winning the junior events, Kanaeva represented ‘Gazprom’ as a junior rhythmic gymnast to take part in the World Club Championship (also known as ‘Aeon Cup’) in Japan alongsideIrina Tchachina and Alina Kabayeva. She won the junior title and was presently noticed by the head coach of the Russian national team, Irina Viner. She was accepted into the Novogorsk training centre for national team members.