Anna Shcherbakova: “For me, Worlds are just as significant as the Olympics. Both events feature the strongest athletes at that time. Winning Worlds gave me the brightest emotions and special confidence at every competition after that.”
Anna Shcherbakova reflects on her 2021 World Championship victory, the significance of Worlds compared to the Olympics, and the challenges she overcame during the event.
original source: TASS
Olympic and World Champion figure skater Anna Shcherbakova shared her memories of winning the 2021 World Championships in Stockholm. Here’s a translation of her comments.
“Q: That was an all-Russian podium: you, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Alexandra Trusova. Was it more about competition or a sense of team?
Anna Shcherbakova: Figure skating is an individual sport. Before and during my skate, it’s important to focus only on myself. I never watch other skaters’ performances before my own. It helps me get in the right mindset, not relax too early, and also not stress myself out with unnecessary worries.
But of course, when I found out the entire podium was Russian, it was a wonderful feeling – pride for my country and happiness for all of us. That’s when you get a sense of team spirit, which is unusual in individual sports.
After the competition, since we were in a “bubble” (due to the COVID pandemic), we could all gather in the common hall, chat, play ping-pong, and watch the men’s competition, which was the day after ours.
Q: People often recall that you weren’t feeling your best physically. How much did that affect you, and where did you find the strength to “hang in there”? You’ve always been able to do that, and it’s impressive.
Anna Shcherbakova: Athletes often have to compete when they’re not in perfect condition. It’s actually rare when everything lines up: good form and good health. That’s how it was for me before the previous World Championships, which were supposed to be in Montreal. That was the first event canceled due to coronavirus, and I was very upset.
In Stockholm, things were more difficult. But it was so important for me to compete at that Worlds that I didn’t think about “hanging in there.” I just had to do everything I could at that moment. Even though my skate started with a fall, I knew nothing was lost. My set of elements allowed me to score well even with that mistake.
It was important not to let myself get upset or lose control of my skate. On the contrary, I had to control everything even more cold-bloodedly than usual. I’m still proud of my lutz–loop combination, the last jump element in both the short and free programs. My physical condition affected my preparation for the event, but in the moment, it didn’t matter – I completely separated myself from it.
Q: Did that victory change you as an athlete?
Anna Shcherbakova: For me, the World Championships are just as significant as the Olympics. Both events feature the strongest athletes at that time. I think winning Worlds gave me the brightest emotions and later gave me special confidence at every competition after that.”
Related topics: Anna Shcherbakova, world championship
I loved worlds but specifically the Evgenia and Alina era it was a fun time.
Deeply miss Russian skaters at worlds and can’t wait for you guys to return into commentary as well, Russians have deeply impacted my life so I will always hold you guys dearly.