Medvedev’s visit to Mexico, Zagitova’s hobby and the end of Sotnikova’s career: what is being discussed in the world of figure skating

Frankness of Medvedeva and the secret of Zagitova’s preparation

Russian figure skater Evgenia Medvedeva is popular around the world. Once again, this fact proved her arrival in Mexico, where she met with fans, and also held a three-day seminar for local athletes.

The most loyal fans met the two-time world champion at the airport and gave a bouquet of roses. Then they had the opportunity to chat during the autograph session, as well as enjoy her exponential number for the song Idontwannabeyouranymore Billy Eilish.

A master class was organized for Mexican athletes, and anyone could get an additional lesson on ice. It is interesting that both adult and very young skaters took part in the event.

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Posted by Evgenia Medvedev (@jmedvedevaj) Mar 1, 2020 @ 8:23 am PST

At the end of the event, the Russian woman gave a press conference. She stated that she called the first months after the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang the most difficult moment in her life.

“I needed to change my life. It was a very difficult decision, as in complete darkness you do not know what your next week will be. I did not know whether it would be right to move to Canada, how I would work with Brian Orser, where I would live. And I was recovering from an injury, so I didn’t ride for about five months, that’s a lot, ”Sport24 quotes Medvedev.

Despite the difficulties, Medvedev does not think about ending his career. Soon she intends to resume training and, in preparation for the next season, begin work on new programs.

“I think this is until the end of my life. Whether it's coaching, skating in a show or some kind of social activity, creating something of your own. And even when I finish competing, I will not give up figure skating, I love it, ”Medvedev assured.

In anticipation of the new season is her mentor Orser. He noted that for two years of their joint cooperation, the skater changed her attitude to herself. In this regard, she receives pleasure from performances, regardless of the result.

“Eugene added speed, confidence ... In addition, as she herself notes, we also observe: she likes her femininity and likes to bring her to figure skating. Of course, she performs complex elements well, but now, it seems to me, she has accepted her body and realized what she can give to this sport. It's very nice. I am glad to see that she came to this, ”said Orser in an interview with Insideskating.

Alina Zagitova, who temporarily suspended her career, also actively spends her free time. At the end of March, she will take part in the ice show “Russia Ahead,” directed by the 2006 Olympic champion Tatyana Navka. In addition to her and Medvedeva, other members of the national team will take part in the performance, including Alexander Trusov, Alyona Kostornaya, Anna Shcherbakova and Dmitry Aliyev.

For many, Zagitova is a real icon of style, and she herself has repeatedly stated that she enjoys the process of choosing outfits for both everyday life and for performances, and is also interested in makeup. In an interview with Vogue, the 2019 world champion said makeup is an integral part of every look on ice.

“She began to constantly paint, when she began to train with Eteri Tutberidze. It was she who taught me that I should be beautiful on ice. And that success in competitions depends on how you look. Until now, I often do makeup and hair myself - this is normal practice for skaters. The preparation process helps to enter the image, tune in, drive the program out in your head, ”said Zagitova.

Self-irony of Tuktamysheva and the end of Sotnikova’s career

If Zagitova is famous for her images, then the title of one of the most open and funny skaters of our time undoubtedly belongs to Elizaveta Tuktamysheva. The 2015 World Champion does not miss the opportunity to make fun of herself and her colleagues, and is also always open for experiments. So, last year she temporarily reincarnated as a journalist of Zenit TV and interviewed the team’s footballers. Talking about this experience, she remembered that for a long time she could not get together and pronounce the surname of Artyom Dziuba.

“I'm bad . It happens to me: something wanders into my head, I found something funny for myself, and rushed. And nobody understands anything. It was absolutely normal for me, so I don’t even remember why I laughed at the name of Dzyuba, ”Tuktamysheva said in an interview with“ Sport day after day. ”

Despite her provocative character, she takes figure skating seriously and clearly sees her place in it.

“My goal as an athlete is to leave a mark in figure skating. So that they don’t forget, that they say that people like it, and they remembered with warmth. Even when I’m done with sports, I’ll stay in sports, ”Tuktamysheva added.

One of the main news of recent days was the completion of the career of the first Russian Olympic champion in single skating Adeline Sotnikova. Some time ago, she underwent surgery in connection with degenerative stenosis of the cervical spine.

“Officially, I want to say one thing: with sports, that's all, because at the moment I want to be healthy, happy. It’s sad and hard for me to say this. I will also delight my fans and fans, but not in the professional arena. Although I miss you crazy when I watch competitions, my heart breaks because I want to, but, unfortunately, my health does not allow it, ”Sotnikova said on the Rossiya-1 channel.

In Russia, many supported her decision. Evgeni Plushenko, under whose leadership she took over in April 2017, emphasized the character of the athlete. According to him, she hoped to the last hope to return to the ice, but the injuries were stronger.

“Adelinochka is well done, and it’s right that she voiced her decision, it will be easier for her, a serious burden fell from her shoulders. Life after professional sport exists, and it is multifaceted - it can be a coaching history, a show, family life is necessary. And we will consider the version so that it appears in my team, ”TUS Plushenko quotes.

At the same time, some experts noted that Sotnikova should not have been delayed with the official end of her career. So, the famous choreographer Ilya Averbukh noted that she had long preferred the ice show and it was clear that she would not return to the competitive activity.

“It’s a little sad that Adeline, for me, still hasn’t fully revealed herself in sports. She could win more titles, not just Olympic gold. Now it’s just such a fleeting time. But the main thing is that she won this main award in the world of figure skating, and let this award become a pillar for her in her future life, ”Averbukh told the Championship.

The news about the completion of the career of an outstanding skater did not go unnoticed by New Jersey hockey player Mikhail Maltsev. In the comments on her Instagram post, he jokingly asked if she planned to become a deputy following the example of many fellow athletes. Sotnikova did not answer the question, just putting a like under his comment.

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Publication by 𝓐𝓭𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓪 𝓢𝓸𝓽𝓷𝓲𝓴𝓸𝓿𝓪 (@ adelina_sotnikova14) Mar 2, 2020 at 3:37 am PST

Coaching Slutskaya and Tarasova's memories

Contrary to popular belief, not all former athletes find their new calling in coaching. Some initially understand that it requires completely different skills and knowledge. So, two-time Olympic champion Irina Slutskaya admitted that she still does not see herself in this field, although she likes to work in her figure skating school in the suburbs. After completing her career in 2006, she mainly worked on television, and also participated in ice shows.

“By the way, I love working with absolutely everyone. It's so interesting! Children, like blank sheets of paper, write what you want! But adults are already captivating others. They have their own fears and doubts, which are very nice and great to overcome together, ”Slutskaya wrote on Instagram.

But Tatyana Tarasova, familiar with her firsthand, spoke about the pros and cons of coaching. One of her most famous students is the 10-time Olympic champion Irina Rodnina. However, the legendary skater herself noted that Stanislav Zhuk played a much larger role in her merits.

“I even feel sorry for Ira when I hear her, honestly. After all, it was with me that she became great. For six years she won two Olympics, five times won the world championships. But here she is such a person, with such a character. I always knew this, but climbed out of my way: I could not afford to have Rodnina to be second, not first. I took her child from the hospital, found music for her so that right after the birth of her son she would get used to the idea that she would return and win again, ”Tarasova said in an interview with Elena Vaytsekhovskaya.

At the same time, she emphasized that, on the whole, she did not consider this profession ungrateful, since the specialist, in any case, gives everything to his wards that he has. In addition, she admitted that she lacks constant coaching, and she does not consider her job as an expert on television as her destination.

“I will be 73 in February, and all my conscious life I have lived with the fact that in the morning a person should get out of bed and go to work. If you don’t understand where and why you should go, why did you wake up? Now I’m talking about this without internal pain. It's just a pity that for so many years I have not been used for its intended purpose, ”Tarasova complained.