Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: “I have no regrets, I was in very good shape and did everything I could. But there were girls who were even better who went to the Olympics.”
Interview with Elizaveta Tuktamysheva.
source: Podkast Lab
About competition during trainings
In Moscow, there’s a huge competition among girls. But in St. Petersburg, throughout almost your entire career, you have been the only one. Isn’t it hard?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Actually, it’s amazing. I don’t see anything bad about it. Constantly facing tough competition doesn’t help me as much. I know there are girls who skate and jump amazingly, and if I want to go to the World Championships or European Championships, I need to improve myself.
But in the training environment, it would be very distracting for me. I’m probably weak in that sense, I don’t like competition. It’s just me and that’s it. Especially if they start comparing, I can’t stand it, “Look how she does it.” I’d rather just get off the ice.
What motivates you more: when your coach scolds or praises you?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I don’t really like being praised. I guess I relax too much. But at the same time, my coach handles it very well – he doesn’t praise me very often, but when he does, it’s so clear that it inspires me.
As for scolding… He can make me do something, but very politely. “Well, you need to do your free skate, the season is coming soon after all.” And I’m like, yeah, yeah, I need to. Everything is very tactful.
About popularity
Have you ever had a moment when you really feel like an empress?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Well, I still don’t feel like one. No, there hasn’t been such a moment. I don’t like people who put on a crown, especially if they haven’t achieved anything. I’ve seen examples of that and I never wanted to become like that. Besides, I had people around me who would have put me in my place if I ever acted that way. And I liked that, it kept me grounded.
But surely people recognize you on the streets of St. Petersburg?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Yes, that’s why I only travel by my car, and mostly only to the rink and back home, so I don’t have to be in crowded places.
And what about in Moscow? People for sure recognize you there too, and you’re without your car.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: That’s why I only go to the hotel or to the ‘Megasport’ arena, ha-ha. I’m fine with it, it doesn’t bother me.
The only thing is, when I’m doing something or eating in a restaurant ir having an active conversation, I don’t like it when people interrupt and insist on taking a photo with me. But if they approach me politely when I’m not busy, then sure, why not.
Have you ever refused fans for a photo or autograph?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I can’t remember a specific situation, but I won’t lie and say that I always give autographs to everyone. Yes, I’m human too, there are different moments: when you’re tired, just flew in at 6am from a competition… Oh, now I remember one time at the airport when I refused. I arrived in St. Petersburg without makeup, looking like a mess, just wanted to sleep, I was so tired. And then someone came up to me: ‘Liza…’ And I said, ‘Sorry, I’m really not in a condition to do this right now.’
About the Olympics
Not thinking about the Olympics is easier than…
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: You can always choose your behavior, your emotions. You choose what will make you feel more or less okay, or even good, perhaps. In terms of the Olympics, when you missed it for the third time, you could have banged your head against the wall or done something people do when they lose something. Or you could have thought, what can I do now…
I have no regrets because in my last Olympic season I was in very good shape and did everything I could. But there were girls who were even better who went to the Olympics. And there were no regrets, nothing.
If we talk about the next Olympics, it’s unclear. Of course, I would like to go if the opportunity arises. It’s not like the Olympics are some nonsense to me, no. It would be very nice for me to perform or just go there.
But even without it, I live perfectly well, I have good titles, I skate for a long time.
Before Sochi, puberty started, I had doubts. And when I have doubts, it’s all… I worked on them from 2014 to…
What doubts are you talking about?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Doubts about myself. That you can’t do it, you’re not worthy. I always have a clear understanding at the beginning of the season of where I will be in the season. And it always works. In 2015, I clearly understood that there was a chance. And in 2014, I understood that there was Yulia Lipnitskaya, Adelina Sotnikova.
But there is Elizaveta Tuktamysheva.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I couldn’t convince myself of that, and no one else could. Because I put myself in third place, and there were two of them. And when you’re mentally losing to everyone, it’s impossible to gather yourself.
And I fought with this. I had 2015, and then I fell into this pit again. I struggled with it for two years until I learned the triple Axel.
About plans for after retirement
Which direction would you like to develop in?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: That’s the problem.
Are you searching?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Yes.
Do you have any ideas, dreams, who you would like to become? A neurosurgeon?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: No, I know my capabilities perfectly well… Well, I can host something with you (Tuktamysheva is answering Maxim Trankov – Sports.ru), for example. I see myself in this, I like it. The only thing is that I need to work on my voice, speech, it’s not that easy. I understand what kind of school you went through to grow in this.
I think it was easy for you.
No, it was difficult. Starting from the provincial accent, to sometimes mispronouncing words to this day.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Yes, it’s not as easy as it looks from the outside for someone.
Maybe to become a coach?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I think I’ll always have time for that. And while I have freedom, youth, creativity, I want to use it to a greater extent.
And being a coach… I can’t imagine how you managed to combine all of that. But if you’re a coach, then you live and breathe it – you train your group day in and day out, trying to achieve results. And there’s no time or energy left for anything else. That’s how I see it.
It would also be cool to participate in shows. While there is an opportunity, it’s better to use this time to the maximum: shows, projects. I have ideas. But being a coach is very difficult. It will suck all the energy out of you. I want to preserve this energy while I still have the opportunity.
You’re talking about some kind of media development. But we already have figure skater-hosts. This is also competition. And in your case, competition with the same people.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Yes, I know, it’s the same everywhere. Someday I will have to be competitive.
Related topics: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva
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