"I love challenges"
Alina Zagitova appeared in a commercial for a well-known company of sportswear and equipment. In a videotape posted on Instagram, she demonstrated several exercises and dance elements, showing that figure skating, like its representatives, has two sides.
Also, the Russian woman told her what this sport means to her. According to her, many challenges that lead to a professional athlete make her move forward.
“Figure skating is not just a career and a job, this is my life. Putting on skates, I feel myself. When simple is not for me, I love challenges. I just need it. Figure skating is a flight. I feel free and strong. I am lucky that my team and fans believe in me. Thanks to them! But the most important thing is to be yourself, ”said Zagitova.
From late July to early August, the current world champion is in Japan, where, along with other figure skating stars, she takes part in a series of ice shows. The Russians have a large number of fans among the locals, in connection with which she is often invited to take part in television programs.
In one of them, Zagitova had a chance to explore the culture and history of the Land of the Rising Sun, and to personally come into contact with some of its elements. The figure skater tried on the samurai costume and even picked up a saber.
“I look a bit like a samurai,” said the Russian woman.
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Post by Alina Zagitova's Fanpage 👑☘️ (@teamzagitova) July 30, 2019 at 9:35 PDT
17-year-old Zagitova, who by her age has achieved the highest success in sports, is herself an idol for future generations of athletes. In between the performances in the show, she visited the Japanese Niigata, where she talked to the pupils of the local school of figure skating. Interestingly, it was in this place that the Russian woman held a training camp on the eve of the Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Birthday Samodurovoy
July 30, the 2019 European Champion Sofia Samodurova celebrated her 17th birthday. She spent that day at a training camp in Italy with a group of Alexei Mishin. However, this event did not become less solemn. Not without a birthday cake, and numerous friends and colleagues - Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Victoria Sinitsyna, Alexander Stepanova and others conveyed their congratulations to the skater.
On her Instagram page, Samodurova admitted that she was pleased to receive wishes from relatives, friends and fans.
“So, 17 years! First, I want to thank my parents for giving me life, for your support, love, care, affection and warmth, to say thank you for everything that you are doing for me! You already know that I love you very much! Secondly, I would like to express my gratitude to my coaches, who today share with me this joy, for the congratulations! I am glad that I can spend with my close people such an important day for me! ”The athlete wrote.
In addition, Samodurova turned to her friends and fans, expressing gratitude for their support, which is a serious motivation for her.
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Publication from Sofia Samodurova (@sofia_samodurova) July 30, 2019 at 1:18 PDT
Triumph of Kurakova and the end of Loboda's career
Before the start of the season 2019/20 there is very little time left, and the first junior starts will be held in late August. Fans are looking forward to the release of their idols on the ice, and athletes are gradually determined with the schedule for the coming year.
So, it became known that the daughter of the Russian specialist Eteri Tutberidze Diana Davis, performing ice dancing with Gleb Smolkin, will take part in the second stage of the Junior Grand Prix, which will be held in the American Lake Placid from August 28 to 31. At the end of last season, the duo began to train under the guidance of Igor Shpilband and moved to the United States.
Russian woman Ekaterina Kurakova, who has replaced sports citizenship in the current offseason, won the first big trophy as a representative of Poland. She won the prestigious Canadian Minto Summer Skate 2019 tournament with a total of 182.77 points.
“Competitions were not without adventures, but we will remember them forever! What can I say? We will continue to work, because we are waiting for an interesting season. Thank you very much for your support and pleasant messages, ”the figure skater wrote.
Together with her citizenship, the figure skater also changed her coach: she is currently working with Canadian specialist Brian Orser, who is well known to Russian fans for working with Yevgenia Medvedeva.
Meanwhile, Alla Loboda, who performed in ice dancing with Anton Shibnev, decided to end her professional career. The highest achievement of the athlete is the silver of the junior world championship 2017.
“Now I understand that by transmitting everything that my mentors taught me to their little students, I will bring much more benefit. I just try, make the first steps as a coach. But already insanely inspired and excited, ”RIA Novosti quotes Loboda.
In addition, she admitted that she would like to try their hand at ice shows.