Tragedy to Triumph: Figure Skater Maxim Naumov’s Journey to Fulfill His Parents’ Olympic Dream

Tragedy to Triumph: Figure Skater Maxim Naumov’s Journey to Fulfill His Parents’ Olympic Dream

In the world of figure skating, the names Malinin, Torgashev, and Naumov resonate with fans and enthusiasts alike. These three skaters have once again captured the spotlight, with Ilia Malinin securing his fourth U.S. Championship title, Andrew Torgashev claiming silver, and Maxim Naumov earning bronze. All three were born in the United States but have Russian roots. In a few weeks, this trio will represent the U.S. at the Olympics in Milan, each with a realistic chance of winning a medal. Ilia Malinin is considered nearly invincible, despite recent concerns about past injuries.

The Heart-Wrenching Story of Maxim Naumov

The recent U.S. Olympic trials were intense, with much discussion not only about Ilia Malinin’s performances but also about the bronze medalist, Maxim Naumov. His story is one of the most dramatic in figure skating. At 24 years old, Maxim became an orphan exactly one year ago when his parents, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, tragically died in a plane crash on January 29, 2025. Their plane collided with a military helicopter near Washington and crashed into the water, killing all 67 people on board. The couple usually avoided flying together, but fate had a different plan that day.

Legacy of Champions

Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also figure skaters and world champions in 1994. They represented the Soviet Union and Russia during their careers and emigrated to the United States shortly before their son’s birth in 2001. They began coaching in the U.S. and trained their son as well. In 2025, just three years before their deaths, Maxim placed fourth in the U.S. Championships. A year later, he improved his performance and secured a spot on the Olympic team, but his parents would not live to see him compete on the Olympic ice. However, Maxim believes his parents are watching over him. After his short and free programs, he held their photos and wept as the scores were announced.

A Dream Fulfilled

Maxim also cried when he learned he would be going to the Olympics. Until the last moment, Jason Brown was the primary candidate for the third spot on the team, but his performances at the U.S. Championships were not strong enough, and he finished eighth. Remarkably, after the loss of his parents, Maxim not only continued his own skating career but also coached other students at his parents’ academy for a while. He shared that despite the immense emotional pain, he felt a strong surge of energy and planned to dedicate himself entirely to the sport he loves.

Early Life and Career

Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov married in 1995 in St. Petersburg and soon after moved to the United States. Their son Maxim was born in Simsbury, Connecticut. Interestingly, his parents initially enrolled him in gymnastics, but he eventually asked to switch to figure skating and first stepped onto the ice at the age of five. In 2013, Maxim became the U.S. Junior Champion.

He missed the entire 2018-2019 season due to an injury but returned in 2020 to place fifth at the World Junior Championships. In 2025, he was set to compete at the Four Continents Championship but withdrew, as he was still grieving the loss of his parents. Currently, he is coached by former Soviet figure skater Vladimir Petrenko, a close family friend.

Parental Influence and Language

Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova participated in the Olympics twice, and Maxim has shared that his parents always wished for him to have a similar athletic career. However, they never pressured him; the primary principle in his training was always a genuine love for figure skating and the desire to achieve his personal best. Despite growing up in the United States, Maxim speaks Russian fluently, as he only began learning English at the age of six.

Ilia Malinin also speaks Russian, though not as fluently, and Andrew Torgashev even thinks in Russian. Fans of figure skating now joke that Russian Petr Gumenik will not feel lonely at the upcoming Games in Milan, as he will have plenty of Russian-speaking companions.

For more information on figure skating, visit the official U.S. Figure Skating website.