Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov: “Comments often say that our programs are old-fashioned? Fashion is temporary, but style is eternal, same with our programs.”
Interview with Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov.
original source: Sport Express dd. Feb 21st by Maria Kravchenko
In the interview with Sport Express, Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov told about their consistency, criticism, favorite programs and discussed the top contenders at the iternational arena. Here’s a translation of their comments.
“Q: You are having a very successful, almost mistake-free season. What do you think is the secret? How do you prepare for your performances?
Anastasia Mishina: Before performing, I don’t listen to music. I usually walk alone, not talking to anyone, even my coach or partner. Sasha knows that we do not communicate at all before the skate. Sometimes, when friends or acquaintances pass by, I might exchange a few words, but that’s it. I don’t like to waste energy on jokes; I try to be in energy-saving mode.
Aleksandr Galliamov: My approach is similar to Anastasia’s. I also don’t listen to anyone and just focus on the music, starting right from when I leave the hotel, get on the bus, and head to the arena. I like different genres, but right before stepping onto the ice, I listen to rock. Basically, nothing special, everyone has their ways to prepare for their performance.
Q: Some people say it’s always easier to be the chaser than to maintain the lead. Do you agree?
Anastasia Mishina: For young athletes, it’s difficult to maintain leadership because there’s pressure; the coaches, the federation, and the audience — all expect you to win. We have been in leading positions for several years now. We’ve had good and bad seasons, but overall, we have been winning for years, so we know how to cope.
Q: Is there a recipe for that?
Aleksandr Galliamov: Our mindset and concentration.
Anastasia Mishina: I think experience plays the most crucial role.
Q: David Narizhny recently said in an interview, “We skate to win, not just to skate cleanly, because if that’s not the case, you’re not an athlete.” Your main competitors are not at their best right now and are not challenging you for gold. When you go to competitions, do you consider the other participants as competitors?
Anastasia Mishina: In sports, it’s correct to understand that all participants are your competitors. Sometimes leaders don’t skate cleanly, and sometimes newcomers perform incredible elements, so all participants are your competitors.
Aleksandr Galliamov: Everyone has their own opinion on what they consider a true athlete. Anastasia is right. For some, it may be true that an athlete’s main competitor is themselves. We consider all the participants in specific competitions as our competitors.
Q: Your leadership ahead of the Olympic qualification can now be discussed. Are you prepared to go, and have you applied for neutral status?
Anastasia Mishina: We’ve done everything we could this season, and we’ve done it well, so now it’s out of our hands. Of course, we want to go to the Olympics! Who wouldn’t? So far, there hasn’t been any talk of us participating in international competitions next season. But, of course, we are all eagerly waiting for that.
Q: The next season is an Olympic one. Any thoughts on new programs or routines?
Aleksandr Galliamov: We have some rough ideas. There are some concepts, but again, we need to finish this season first. Then, the coaches will decide on the programs, or maybe they have already. In any case, our coaching team always knows best.
Q: Have you suggested any ideas to the coaching staff?
Anastasia Mishina: When it comes to choosing music, we trust our coaches and choreographers. We choose from several options to find the one that resonates with us the most.
Q: Comments often say that Mishina and Galliamov’s programs are old-fashioned, unfortunately, in a bad sense. Do you feel the need for experimentation, working with a new choreographer, a different style?
Anastasia Mishina: We have had very different styles over eight years. We’ve also had different choreographers, not sticking with the same ones every year. People have different opinions — some really like it, others don’t, and that’s normal. What matters most is that our style works for us, and we are winning – that’s what’s most important.
Aleksandr Galliamov: I just remembered when, in the Olympic season, we skated the free program “Time, Forward!” and there was a flood of criticism, everyone horribly disliked it! But now people say, “What a great program it was!” Meaning, it only with time that people realized the program was very good, which isn’t surprising to me.
Q: Do you think these programs will be viewed similarly over time?
Anastasia Mishina: Some modern styles that are popular for a few years pass and go out of fashion, but classics… they last much longer.
Aleksandr Galliamov: Fashion is temporary, but style is eternal, same with our programs.
Q: Do you keep an eye on choreographies in the global arena? Maybe something there appeals to you?
Aleksandr Galliamov: There are good choreographies; we saw them when we watched the European Championships.
Anastasia Mishina: I like the programs from the Italian pair Sara Conti/Niccolo Macii. What I like is that they have a program idea, a concept, and although it’s not immediately clear, the commentators explain that the program is dedicated to a grandfather, a father. It’s very interesting that it’s not just skating to random music but skating with an idea. And they do a very good job of telling that story on the ice.
Q: Sasha, you are often chosen as the team captain, including in the Champions League. What does that mean to you?
Aleksandr Galliamov: It means carrying responsibility, organization, and gathering everyone together. I’m like a dad among everyone else, responsible for everything. In some ways, I command everyone. It’s necessary to move the team, to make sure everyone does their part, sometimes even pushing them a bit. I think this isn’t just about athletes; few people engage in such activities actively. Many are content with doing the bare minimum, and there’s less desire to show such initiative, but I am proactive.
Q: Nastya, do you help Sasha with his captain duties? How do you feel having such a partner?
Anastasia Mishina: I don’t really enjoy participating in online activities; such things aren’t very interesting to me, and I find them challenging. When something happens offline, I like to energize the team, engage in activities in person, but online work is hard for me.
Q: How about the challenges in the current league? They’re not entirely online, you need to perform them on the ice. You had a dance lift.
Anastasia Mishina: It’s interesting, but I would still prefer it to happen with spectators, rather than just on video.”
Related topics: Anastasia Mishina Alexandr Galliamov
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