Anna Shcherbakova: “I stepped onto the ice to show the very best I was capable of. For me, delivering a clean skate was never by chance. I was prepared for it, even if others didn’t expect it.”
Anna Shcherbakova reflects on her ambition and emotions in figure skating
original source: MatchTV
2022 Olympic champion Anna Shcherbakova discusses her dedication to the sport, her rational approach to ambition, and the unique emotions that come with competing at the highest level. Here’s a translation of her comments.
Sports as a Way of Life
“For many years, sports were the core of my life. The emotions you feel at championships are hard to match. When you finish your career, it’s difficult to switch to something new. It’s hard to find emotions equivalent to those from the Olympic Games or World Championships. But, in ordinary life, such intense emotions aren’t necessary,” Shcherbakova shared.
She emphasized her focus and ambition: “I’ve always been ambitious, of course. I wanted to win. But I’m also a rational person, so I didn’t want to deal with unfulfilled ambitions. I always dreamed of skating my free program fully knowing I had done my absolute best.”
Admiration for Pair Skating but a Commitment to Singles
“I’ve always watched pairs skaters with awe. My heart skips a beat when they perform lifts or throw jumps. I’ve always been small, and people suggested I try pairs skating, but I knew it wasn’t for me,” Shcherbakova said.
Becoming an Olympic Champion
When asked about the moment she felt the Olympic gold medal was hers, Shcherbakova reflected on her preparation and mindset: “I stepped onto the ice to show the very best I was capable of. For me, delivering a clean skate was never by chance. I was prepared for it, even if others didn’t expect it. Meanwhile, my coaches were often holding their heads in their hands, watching my training sessions,” she said with a grin.
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