“When I was little, I could not even imagine that I would become European champion” Sofia Samodurova about the decision to end her career
Sofia Samodurova about the decision to end her career. And also some comments from her coaches and choreographers she worked with.
Sofia Samodurova: Dear friends, it’s time to make an announcement. I ended my sports career.
To begin with, I would like to say a huge thank you to all my coaches – Maria Igorevna Nikolaeva, who put me on skates, Alexei Nikolaevich Mishin, Tatiana Nikolaevna Mishina, Tatiana Nikolaevna Prokofieva, Oleg Stanislavovich Tataurov, Yegor Cheloshkin, Artur Gachinsky, who supported, inspired, taught me for a huge number of years and, of course, to all the choreographers, Ilia Averbukh, Nikolai Morozov, Floret Amodio, Roman Kostomarov, Oksana Domnina and Nikita Mikhailov, who choreographed for me incredible and beloved programs.
Of course, I want to say thank you to all the fans, all the athletes with whom I trained and competed side by side, because in one way or another we all learn something from each other, we all inspire each other – and it’s so cool!
Thank you family, friends and family for your support and love!
These years have been incredible. When I was little, I could not even imagine that I would become European champion, the bronze medalist of the world team trophy …
Yes, I could not imagine, but I could dream, and that is why now I call on all young athletes: dream! And everything will surely come true.
source: instagram
Comments from Sofia’s coaches and choreographers she worked with.
Alexei Mishin: Sonya Samodurova’s transfer from an amateur career to a professional one as a coach was marked by one very important event.
The President of the Figure Skating Federation of St. Petersburg and Olympic champion Anton Sikharulidze, having learned that coaching in Kazakhstan was one of the options for Sofya Samodurova, immediately offered her a position of coach of young figure skaters.
Indeed, in the entire history of figure skating in our city there were two European champions: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Sofia Samodurova. And, of course, the decision of our president to keep one of the European champions in St. Petersburg causes understanding and respect.
source: championat.com
Tatiana Mishina: Sonya showed good result. Everyone has their own abilities. The fact that she was able to become European champion is due to her strong-willed character. She used all her abilities, her potential at the right moment, at the right time, and won the European Championships. There were other skaters who didn’t manage to do it. So I wouldn’t say that Sofia was lucky. In general, I would not use the word “lucky”, because the strongest are lucky. At that moment, Sofia showed character, but in general she did it often.
Rarely, as coaches, could we complain that she came to training and didn’t do something. She showed and did what she prepared. It was her decision. We would support Sofia in any of her endeavors. I just felt that the next season is getting uncertain in terms of international competitions. She is studying, will continue to study and combine it with coaching. She has already joined to work with our younger guys. Here Alexei (Mishin) helped, and the federation supported.
source: rsport.ria.ru
Ilia Averbukh: I think Sofia made a very vise and mature decision. And very positive. Because she had a fairly successful career, she won the European Championships in Minsk. Sofia correctly assesses her strength, she needs to move forward. I support this decision and have always supported Sofia when she competed. And I also personally told her that this is absolutely right decision, that we should move forward.
Under the guidance of Alexei Nikolaevich (Mishin), Sofia fully revealed her talent. And after all, at the European Championships, she beat Alina Zagitova. She completely realized her abilities.
She is still preparing for ice shows more, but she will gradually pass on her experience to her students. Initially, she has great potential to become a good and famous coach. And I want to wish her good luck in this. Once again I want to emphasize that this is a very correct and wise decision.
source: rsport.ria.ru
Related topics: Alexei Mishin, Ilia Averbukh, Sofia Samodurova
Such a beauty!! Loved seeing her skate! I will miss her. All the best to her on her future path <3
God luck, Sofia. You did have your own style and character. Thank you for the exciting performances you have delivered:)