Evgenia Medvedeva: Russia’s Figure Skating Queen and Her Journey to Greatness
Evgenia Medvedeva: Russia’s Figure Skating Queen and Her Journey to Greatness
At just 18 years old, Evgenia Medvedeva has already established herself as Russia’s premier figure skater and arguably the best in the world. She is a top contender for gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, although she will be competing under a neutral flag. Let’s explore what makes this young athlete so captivating to fans worldwide and how she inspires many to take up figure skating.
Dedication to the Sport
Medvedeva’s journey into figure skating began with a rather unusual motivation: she wanted to improve her posture. As a child, she struggled with slouching, but through persistent training, she developed a graceful bearing, although she jokes that her shoulder blades still stick out. Her mother, who was also involved in the sport, served as a daily inspiration.
Embracing Challenges
Medvedeva believes that doubts and mistakes are essential for growth as they instill discipline. She acknowledges that while too many fears can be detrimental, a healthy amount keeps her focused and driven. This mindset has been crucial in her rapid rise to the top of her sport.
Unique Style and Interests
Known for her distinctive style, Medvedeva effortlessly chooses her outfits, trusting her first instinct. She is also a fan of K-pop, particularly the bands EXO and BTS, and even incorporates their dance moves into her routines. Her love for Sailor Moon is evident in her performances, where she has dressed as the character and often holds a Luna toy while awaiting her scores.
Future Aspirations
Beyond figure skating, Medvedeva has expressed interest in acting, coaching, or choreography. She has also entertained dreams of becoming an astronaut or a designer. Her diverse interests reflect her multifaceted personality and ambition.
Overcoming Fears
Interestingly, Medvedeva has a fear of butterflies, regardless of their beauty. This fear extends to her skating, where she avoids the “butterfly” error in jumps—a mistake where the skater fails to maintain a tight group and ends up performing a single-rotation jump instead of a multi-rotation one.
Balancing Education and Sports
Balancing her athletic career with education has been challenging. Medvedeva often finds herself too exhausted from training to complete her schoolwork, leading to feelings of guilt and embarrassment. Despite these struggles, she remains committed to both her academic and athletic pursuits.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Medvedeva is a two-time World and European champion, having won both titles in 2016 and 2017. She is the first woman since Michelle Kwan in 2001 to achieve back-to-back victories. Additionally, she holds world records for the free skate, short program, and total scores, showcasing her dominance in the sport.
Signature Moves
One of Medvedeva’s signature moves is performing jumps with her arms raised above her head, a feat that few skaters can replicate. This technique not only adds difficulty to her routines but also earns her extra points from the judges. Despite her success, she remains humble and continues to work on improving her jumps.
Expressive Performances
Medvedeva is renowned for her expressive performances, often using facial expressions to convey emotion. She has even been known to speak during her short programs, adding a unique touch to her routines.
Unwavering Focus
At just 16, Medvedeva demonstrated remarkable resilience, skating through injuries such as a broken hand and a damaged toe. She views these temporary setbacks as a natural part of life and refuses to let them hinder her progress.
For more information on her journey and achievements, you can visit the official source.
