“I was completely out of shape. Practically without a leg. I couldn’t feel my jumps because of the pain. I couldn’t imagine even just skating through the program, let alone jumping. But fortunately, everything turned out well.” Adeliia Petrosian on Olympic Qualifier
Adeliia Petrosian and her coaching team describe the challenges and emotions of her Olympic qualifying tournament in Beijing, where she competed despite injury and secured a spot at the 2026 Milan Olympics.
original source: Sports
Adeliia Petrosyan, along with her coaches Daniil Gleikhengauz, Sergei Dudakov, Eteri Tutberidze, and choreographer Kseniya Potalitsyna, spoke in the Okko series “The Tutberidze Method” about how the Olympic qualifying tournament in Beijing went. Here’s a translation of their comments.
The competition took place in September 2025. Petrosyan took first place and qualified for the Olympics in Milan, where she will compete in the individual event under neutral status.
“Gleikhengauz: The situation was unusual, unfamiliar. We had never experienced anything like it. Plus, I couldn’t be with Adeliia in Beijing, which, of course, added stress and nerves.
Dudakov: Especially since we knew that Nastya Gubanova and Loena Hendrickx would be competing there – two European champions whom Adeliia would face. For Adeliia, this was essentially her first competition at such a high level. We wondered how a child would handle it.
Tutberidze: I was on the phone with her, messaging right up until she went out. I watched her entire warm-up. After she got off the ice, we messaged again. I made sure not to cross paths with her in person, because we were really being watched to see if I would interact with her.
I didn’t want any problems or for anyone to say she should be disqualified. So I went to the skating lounge, and from there, we messaged. I gave her some comments, made corrections, and got her ready. Then she went out to compete.
Dudakov: Yes, it was nerve-wracking. We were in the middle of training, and I said, “Guys, let’s stop and watch Adeliia and cheer for her.” I don’t know how it looked from the outside, but inside, I was skating her program with her.
Petrosian: Before the short program, I was very nervous because I didn’t know what to expect, what scores I’d get, or how the audience would react. I was really anxious.
Gleikhengauz: Even when she was in first place after the short, going into the free skate, it was clear that any mistake – a fall or a step-out – would mean she wouldn’t have enough to win.
Petrosian: Before the free skate, I was already happy. It’s always easier for me after the short program, knowing the interim result. It inspires me for the free skate.
Tutberidze: The ISU had a rule that coaches couldn’t approach athletes anywhere on the venue grounds – including the bus from the rink.
Since I absolutely didn’t want to break any ISU rules or put Adeliia or anyone else at risk… They celebrated for a long time. The next morning, I left early with my suitcase, and Adeliia was downstairs at the hotel.
She asked, “Can I come over now?” I said, “Let’s do it outside, just in case.” She came over, we hugged, and I congratulated her.
Petrosian: She hugged and kissed me, and it almost brought me to tears. She said, “Now do you understand that you need to keep working?” She checked if I was really ready to keep going.
Gleikhengauz: Adeliia showed incredible character and resilience and did more than she was capable of at that moment. That’s a very important quality, probably only found in champions.
Petrosian: I was completely out of shape. Practically without a leg. Everything hurt so much. I couldn’t feel my jumps because of the pain. I couldn’t imagine even just skating through the program, let alone jumping. But fortunately, everything turned out well.
Potalitsyna: Naturally, when she arrived, I asked her, “So, how was it?” She was absolutely thrilled. She said it was a completely different feeling to perform on the international stage. She really enjoyed it. She’s a competitive person, and I think that helped her – the adrenaline took over.
Gleikhengauz: Of course, she returned to training with a different attitude. Knock on wood, we’re moving in the right direction, restoring and regaining the condition and elements she possesses.
Dudakov: I just praised her and said, “Well done, you did it. Let’s keep working.”
Related topics: Adeliia Petrosian, Daniil Gleikhengauz, Eteri Tutberidze, Sergei Dudakov
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