Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: “In 2018, I brought back my triple axel. That moment was like a second wind in my sports career.”
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva reflects on the absence of a fame surge and career turning points
original source: Sport24
World and European Champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva opens up about her steady approach to success, the challenges she’s overcome, and pivotal moments that shaped her figure skating career.
On Popularity After Her World Championship Victory
Speaking at a fan meeting, Tuktamysheva revealed that she never felt a sudden surge of popularity, even after significant achievements:
“I’ve never had that ‘wow’ moment of success. In 2015, I won the World Championships, but I didn’t feel anything extraordinary and simply kept working.
Later, there was a slight rise in attention after the 2021 World Championships. By that time, however, I was already a grown, mature woman who wasn’t waiting for or working specifically for this.
When you work solely for results to prove to yourself that you can achieve something, this mindset keeps you grounded and allows you to remain focused on your next goal.
But if you work only for the first-place title, it’s more difficult. That’s why you have to believe in the process and find joy in it,” Tuktamysheva said.
On Career Turning Points
Tuktamysheva also shared key moments that defined her career:
“The first moment I’m truly proud of is overcoming my childhood difficulty of separating from my family. When I started traveling to Saint Petersburg, it was incredibly hard for me at just 9 years old to spend two weeks away from my family each month.
It was a decisive moment for me to answer the question, ‘Do I want to dedicate my life to professional figure skating or stay in Glazov?’ It wasn’t easy, but I decided that figure skating would come first for me and pushed myself to succeed.
Another turning point came in 2017, a very rough season, where I felt like I was losing myself and the inner strength that had always carried me through this sport. I needed to rediscover that strength by letting go. Interestingly, by relaxing and releasing control, I found myself again.
That was where the next phase of my journey began. In 2018, I brought back my triple axel. That moment was like a second wind in my sports career. After 2018, things became more stable because I understood how I needed to continue in figure skating,” said the 2015 World and European Champion.
Related topics: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva
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