Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: “My career is like an arrhythmia. And that’s okay.”

Interview with Elizaveta Tuktamysheva. Liza told about her passions, Ice Age and Olympics in Beijing.

source: by Polina Shandrak for spb.kp.ru dd. 25th January 2021

Has your coach Alexei Nikolaevich Mishin already recovered from the coronavirus and got back to work?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Yes, everything is all right. He came and everything somehow became livelier.

How long is your training session?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: 2.5 hours every day. It’s both on the ice and in the gym. It happens that I have training twice a day.

Creating a program, are you more focused on the audience or on the judges?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Interesting question. First of all, I focus on myself. Whether it’s convenient and comfortable. It is important for the judges that everything is clean, logical and saturated. But, as for the audience, emotional feedback is important to them. If the athlete likes the program, then the components will be slightly higher. When a person skates with heart, it evokes certain emotions. People feel it.

Do you think judges happen to be biased?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: It’s better to ask them. I think I will refrain from commenting.

Do you feel more pressure or less pressure at international competitions? Where is it less nervous?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I restlessly approach each competitions. It’s easier to compete at international competitions. The main category of serious rivals is from Russia. And here it is more difficult to take a prize-winning place than at the Grand Prix and international competitions. I don’t take into account the World Championships: Japanese and American girls are very strong. I love that there is support at the international arenas. People cheer for Russian girls everywhere.

Is the skating community friendly?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Yes. I have friends among colleagues. I am a very sociable person. Wherever I’ve gone to competitions I have never faced killing gazes. Perhaps I didn’t notice. It’s always important for me to be in a good mood at competitions.

Live on Instagram you said that the Russian Nationals was one of the most difficult competitions. What exactly was difficult for you?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Before the very competition, I fell ill with coronavirus and performed not in the best shape. Because of this, there were strong anxiety.

According to you, one of the most enjoyable things to do in Chelyabinsk was cosmetics and perfumes shopping. And then you spent a tidy sum. Do you like shopping?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I love it very much (smiles), but I have enough conscience not to spend all the money I have earned. But if there is an opportunity and an extra fee, then why not. The best part for me is choosing a perfume. It is a difficult process, but if you find your own scent, then you experience the strongest emotions.

Can you recall the most expensive gift you have ever received?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: For the victory at the World Championships, the patron, at that time, gave me a Rolex watch. It was the coolest gift in my life. I wear it, but not every day, for special occasions. That year was the coolest in my life – all my dreams came true. One of them was just this watch. I made as a New Year wish and got it.

What does your earnings consist of?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: From the prize money, if you compete internationally, and salaries. Plus, if you are a popular figure in figure skating, then you are invited to the show. Good fees are also payed there.

And how much is awarded for winning the World Championships?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Honestly, I don’t remember. I haven’t performed there for a long time.

About 30 thousand dollars! Despite the fact that novice athletes who claim some serious results spend about 100 thousand rubles a month (1300 USD). Is it true?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I have never spent that kind of money. First, the administration of Udmurtia helped me (Tuktamysheva moved to St. Petersburg from the city of Glazov, which is located in the north of the Udmurt Republic, – Ed.), then Alexei Nikolaevich. My talent was noticed, and we did not have such crazy expenses. I think I’m really lucky. Thanks a lot to Alexei Nikolaevich. There were no extra lessons, and now it is impossible to achieve any results without them. The level is really serious. I don’t know how much you need to skate to achieve the highest skill.

You are loyal to one coach throughout your entire career. Despite the fact that the career itself can be compared to the waves, and you are like a surfer. Do you have an explanation for this?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: A long career cannot be without ups and downs. Despite the recessions, I did not get upset and did not finish, but continued to work. I feel that I haven’t shown everything in figure skating yet. I have a desire to improve. My career is like an arrhythmia (laughs). And that’s okay.

Have you thought that you need to move to Moscow?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: No. I really love to travel, but at the same time, it is important for me that there is a stable place in my life, where I feel good, cozy and comfortable. Petersburg is exactly that place. And moving for me is a big step. Moreover, there is no need for this. Alexei Nikolaevich keeps up with the times and makes his own adjustments to the preparation. There is no such thing that every year we did the same thing. When falls happen, we look for a way out together.

What do you think of ice shows? Many athletes, even Olympic champions, abandoned sports and went to shows.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: It’s great that these shows not only exist, but also are very popular. At least, I also watched the last “Ice Age”. Very interesting and spectacular. And it’s cool that figure skating can be seen not only as competitions, but also we have various projects. I performed in the Ilia Averbukh’s show several times. If I was invited to the “Ice Age”, I would agree. I am always interested in learning something new.

I know that you do not limit yourself in food. What’s more, eat when you feel like it and don’t keep track of your calories. What is your favorite food?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I’d rather eat a piece of bun and satisfy my desires than deny myself something. It is important to eat small meals. I don’t really like sweets. For me, a steak is better than a chocolate bar. I’m calm about fast food. Sometimes the body requires it, for some reason, but not often.

Outwardly, it seems that Elizaveta Tuktamysheva is a very calm person. But you said that you often react impulsively. And what can make you mad?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Basically, people who try to manipulate me. Or they think that they are secretly doing it. I always feel it, and it can make me mad. I can be impulsive, but I don’t show it that often. I am a tactful person after all.

How do you feel about negative comments in your address? Does it bother you?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Lately, I have not seen anything negative written to me. Even strange. I take it calmly. Everyone gets bad comments. It’s like a part of the media personality. I never answer them, though sometimes I wanted to. But I decided that I shouldn’t go down to this level.

How is it to live knowing that you are a fairly well-known person?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I don’t quite feel it. I am not such a popular athlete to be recognized everywhere. This certainly happens, but not so often. Now I live quite comfortably. But I control what I say and how.

Your younger sister also did figure skating, but now they write that she switched to ballroom dancing …

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Yes, that is right. She is more busy with her studies now.

Recently, answering the question of followers what was the most difficult for you in life, you answered – Andrei Lazukin (ex-boyfriend of Elizaveta Tuktamysheva). Was it a jole?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: There is some truth in every joke (laughs).

What are your plans for the future?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: We are preparing for the team event which will be held in early February.

And for the 2022 Olympics in Beijing?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I’m getting ready, like the last two times (laughs). This time, I really want it to happen. Therefore, I am doing everything possible to make this dream come true.

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