Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitri Kozlovskii: “There are days when we get tired of the program. But we don’t have the right to pay attention to it. We have a job, an obligations to the partner, coach, and federation.”
Translation of Aleksandra Boikova’s and Dmitri Kozlovskii’s comments about the level of pair skating in the world, programs and motivation.
original source: MatchTV
About the level of pair skating in the world
“After the end of the Olympic Games, there was a kind of vacuum in the world of figure skating. The level has decreased. I think that in the near future, those pairs that have just formed will be catching up with the level that was at the Olympics in Beijing,” Kozlovskii said.
About the attemps of quad elements
“Q: At the jump competition, you didn’t manage to do the quadruple element. Is the main difficulty physical or psychological?
Aleksandra Boikova: At the jumping competition, honestly, the timer was very annoying. To perform the quadruple element, you need to give a little more time because it requires a lot of concentration. When you’re skating alone, you do it alone. But when you’re in a pair, you need to sync up. It’s not a physical problem, but a psychological one. Not from the side that the quadruple jump needs to be done and it’s so difficult, it’s just a stressful situation, and in it, you need to control your emotions. We’re working on it, of course.”
The duo also stated that this year’s programs will be a kind of experiment for them.
“Creating programs and incorporating something new? We will have an experiment this year. We have not yet created programs with Eteri Georgievna. The overall decision on programs is made together,” Boikova said.
“The program should accompany development, correspond to the elements that will be more advantageous. We can put on some exhibition program, but we are guided by the audience and viewers, so that the program is also considered good at the world level. It is necessary to combine entertainment and complexity with confidence,” Kozlovsky added.
“Does it ever happen that we get tired of the program? We consider ourselves professionals, we work a lot. A professional knows how to go out and do their job regardless of the situation. Some can only perform in comfort, but true talent and professionalism is about being able to switch on at a snap.
There are days when we get tired of the program. But we don’t have the right to pay attention to it. We have a job, I have obligations to my partner, coach, and federation. We are obliged to do the work and show it,” Kozlovskii said.
About motivation
“Q: Where do you draw inspiration from? What gives you inspiration?
Aleksandra Boikova: I’ve recently realized that I lack motivation. I rewatched the documentary series “Last Dance” and was once again amazed by Michael Jordan. If we’re not talking specifically about people, then I’m impressed by something new, as well as Russian classics/
Dmitrii Kozlovskii: Places, people, certain events. For example, I’m now here getting a certain inspiration from being in the capital. It’s all situational, but that’s life.
Q: Was there a scenario where you could have not ended up in figure skating?
Dmitri Kozlovskii: Recently, I had a conversation with my parents. They said that if I had ever told them that I didn’t want to do figure skating, they would not have insisted. At first, I didn’t really have the desire. When I was around eight years old, I came to practice, but my friend didn’t, and I asked my grandmother: why did I even come? The turning point in my career happened when I got Mishin. I encountered top athletes, got inspired, then switched to pairs with Moskvina and met Sasha.
Q: Did you ever want to quit training?
Dmitri Kozlovskii: There was such a period. It was related to injuries, becoming a youth. It was a difficult process, but I was afraid to tell my grandmother about it. Conscience and fear didn’t allow me to quit.
Aleksandra Boikova: I had the same. Everyone has such moments, but you start to analyze. You realize the path you’ve taken and think: is it all in vain? My parents always told me that education comes first. When I started having problems in figure skating, they said, ‘If you feel tired and don’t want to continue, let’s focus completely on your studies.’ I decided that I would overcome all difficulties and stay in figure skating.”
Related topics: Alexandra Boikova Dmitri Kozlovski
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