Maiia Khromykh: “Of course, there are lingering effects from the injuries. Unfortunately, that’s unavoidable. Most athletes deal with this. Sports don’t heal – it breaks you.”
Maiia Khromykh on Coaching and Living with Injuries
original source: Telegram Team Maya Khromykh Official
Former competitive figure skater Maiia Khromykh shared insights into her transition to coaching children and adult amateurs, her approach to overcoming fear in skating, and her ongoing struggles with the long-term effects of past injuries. Here’s a translation of her comments.
At 19 years old, Maiia Khromykh, a former competitive figure skater, has shifted her focus to coaching, working with both children and adult amateur skaters. In an interview, she reflected on her experiences as a coach, the challenges she’s faced, and the lasting impact of injuries sustained during her skating career.
“Initially, working with children wasn’t easy,” Khromykh admitted. “But I quickly found common ground with them by using playful approaches. It’s something new for me, and it’s opened up a different perspective on training. I now understand my former coaches so much better and realize just how monumental their efforts were.”
When asked who is more difficult to train – children or adult amateurs – Khromykh emphasized that both present unique challenges: “It’s not about one being easier or harder – it’s just different. Children don’t have the same fear of attempting certain elements that adults often do. Adults, on the other hand, are more cautious.”
To help her adult students overcome fear, Khromykh draws from her own experiences: “I try to share examples from my own career when I felt scared attempting certain elements and how I managed to overcome it. Often, I’ll just reassure them, explaining that nothing bad will happen and everything will be fine.”
She also noted another key difference in training children versus adults: “It’s harder to explain the correct technique to children, while adults tend to grasp those explanations more easily.”
Khromykh last competed at the 2024 Russian Nationals, where she placed 18th. Her career had been affected by significant injuries, including a serious arm injury and lingering back pain dating back to her junior career.
Now focused on coaching, Khromykh reflected on her health and the enduring effects of her injuries:
“Have you fully recovered from your injuries? How’s your health now?”
“Of course, there are lingering effects from the injuries. Unfortunately, that’s unavoidable. Most athletes deal with this. Sports don’t heal – it breaks you,” she said candidly.
Related topics: Maiia Khromykh
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