Russia is home to some of the best skaters in the world. From Olympic champions to world record holders, Russian skaters have set the standard for success in the sport.
From the ice-cold ice rinks to the bustling streets of Moscow, Russian skaters have been pushing the limits of speed, agility, and innovation for more than a century. Here is a look at some of the best Russian skaters of all time.
From figure skaters to speed skaters, these athletes have proven time and again that they are some of the best in the world.
1. Alexandra Trusova
Alexandra “Sasha” Vyacheslavovna Trusova is a Russian figure skater with an impressive record of achievements. She is the silver medalist of the 2022 Olympic Games and the bronze medalist of the 2021 World Championships.
Additionally, she is a two-time European bronze medalist, having won the bronze medals in 2020 and 2021. In 2019, Trusova earned the Grand Prix Final bronze medal and was the gold medalist in the 2019 Russian Championships.
She won the Junior Grand Prix Final in 2018 and was the bronze medalist in the 2018–19 Junior Grand Prix series.
Her other awards include the 2019 World Junior silver medal and the 2019 Russian Junior silver medal. Trusova is the first female figure skater to land a quadruple lutz jump in competition, which she accomplished at the 2019–20 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.
She is also the first female skater to land two quadruple jumps in one program. She currently holds the world record for the highest technical score of all time, which she set at the 2021 World Championships.
Trusova is a truly remarkable figure skater who has achieved remarkable feats in the sport. Her success is a testament to her hard work and dedication and is an inspiration to many aspiring figure skaters.
2. Kamila Valieva
Kamila Valeryevna Valieva is a Russian figure skater who has achieved remarkable success in her sport. She has been crowned as the 2022 European Champion, 2021 Rostelecom Cup Champion, 2021 Skate Canada International Champion, and 2021 and 2023 Russian National silver medalist.
Valieva is a very talented skater, demonstrating her skill and athleticism through her accomplishments. Her 2022 European Championship victory was especially impressive, as she beat out several established skaters to take the title.
Valieva put on an impressive performance at the 2021 Rostelecom Cup, winning the gold medal and demonstrating her ability to deliver under pressure.
She also won the 2021 Skate Canada International Championship, proving herself to be a formidable competitor on the international stage. Valieva has also been a consistent presence in the Russian National Championships, earning silver medals in both 2021 and 2023.
This solidifies her place as one of the top figure skaters in her country.
Valieva has also competed in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series, as well as a number of other international competitions. Kamila Valeryevna Valieva is an excellent example of a successful and dedicated figure skater.
Her numerous accomplishments demonstrate her hard work and dedication to the sport, and she is likely to remain a powerful force in the figure skating world for years to come.
3. Anna Shcherbakova
Anna Stanislavovna Shcherbakova is an accomplished Russian figure skater and television presenter.
She has achieved a great deal of success in the sport, earning a gold medal at the 2022 Olympic Games, becoming the 2021 World Champion, and winning two silver medals at the European Championships.
She has also been successful in the Grand Prix series, winning the 2019 title as well as two silver medals in 2020 and 2021. Anna has also had a successful television career, having presented numerous shows on Russian television.
She is an inspiration to many young skaters, proving that hard work and dedication can lead to great success. She is an example of what can be achieved with commitment and determination.
4. Evgenia Medvedeva
Evgenia Armanovna Medvedeva is a retired competitive Russian figure skater who has had an extremely successful career. She is the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic silver medalist, a two-time world champion, a two-time European champion, and a two-time Grand Prix Final Champion.
She holds the record for the highest scores in ladies’ singles skating, both in the short program and the free skate. In 2018, she won the World Championship with a total score of 233.41, the highest ever achieved in the ladies’ singles competition.
Beyond her competitive accomplishments, Medvedeva is renowned for her technical mastery, expressive artistry on the ice, and her gracious, yet powerful presence.
She is the only female skater to ever land a triple/triple combination in the free skate at the Olympics and is one of the few female skaters to ever land a quad toe loop.
In recognition of her incredible achievements, Medvedeva was named the 2018 Figure Skater of the Year by the International Skating Union. Medvedeva has since retired from competitive skating, but her legacy of excellence and sheer skill has left an indelible mark on the world of figure skating.
Her accomplishments have inspired a generation of young skaters to follow in her footsteps and pursue their dreams.
5. Alina Zagitova
Alina Ilnazovna Zagitova is an incredibly talented and decorated figure skater from Russia. She has achieved massive success in her career, having won gold medals in multiple prestigious figure skating competitions.
At the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, she won the gold medal in the Women’s Individual event, becoming the youngest Russian woman to win a gold medal in figure skating. She continued to dazzle with her incredible talent, clinching gold at the 2019 World Championships.
She has also won gold at the 2018 European Championships, 2017–18 Grand Prix Final, and the 2018 Russian National Championships. Her accomplishments show her dedication to the sport and her natural aptitude for achieving excellence.
Zagitova is an inspiration to many figure skaters around the world and her story is one that will be remembered for years to come.
6. Mark Kondratiuk
Mark Valeryevich Kondratiuk is an accomplished Russian figure skater. He was part of the Russian team that won the gold medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in the team event, and he was also crowned the European champion at the same event.
Additionally, Mark has won two medals at the Challenger Series and is the current Russian national champion. Mark’s success has been built on his technical prowess, as well as a strong competitive drive.
He has an impressive arsenal of jumps, spins and footwork, and consistently pushes himself to perform at the highest level.
His determination and commitment has been rewarded with numerous accolades, including his gold medal in the team event at the Olympics. Mark’s hard work and dedication has also seen him become a popular figure in the figure skating world.
He has been featured in many interviews and articles, and he often makes appearances at figure skating events.
Mark Valeryevich Kondratiuk is an inspiring figure in the world of figure skating, and his successes serve as a testament to his talent, determination and passion for the sport.
7. Victoria Sinitsina
Victoria Alexandrovna Sinitsina is an incredibly accomplished ice dancer from Russia. She has achieved many great successes in her career as a skater, most notably in the 2022 Olympic Games.
In the team event of the 2022 Olympics, she and her partner Nikita Katsalapov won the gold medal, making them Olympic champions. In addition to this, they also won the silver medal in the same event.
The duo also had much success in the 2021 World Championships, where they won the gold medal. On top of that, Sinitsina and Katsalapov have also become two-time European champions and two-time Russian national champions.
Their successful career has included victories at several Grand Prix events, and they have also won many other international competitions. Aside from her competitive ice dancing career, Sinitsina has been a featured performer in some ice shows.
She has made appearances in Disney on Ice and has been a part of the show Stars on Ice. Sinitsina is known for her hard work and dedication to the sport, and her accomplishments have made her a role model and inspiration to many.
8. Alexandra Stepanova
Alexandra Nikolayevna Stepanova is a highly accomplished Russian ice dancer. She skates with her partner, Ivan Bukin, and the two have achieved many impressive feats.
Together, they are four-time European medalists, having won medals at the European Championships in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.
They also have a number of top titles to their name, including the 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki champion, the 2018 Rostelecom Cup champion, and two-time Russian national champions.
Stepanova and Bukin have achieved tremendous success in a relatively short time, making them one of the leading ice dance teams in the world today.
9. Andrei Mozalev
Andrei Mikhailovich Mozalev is a Russian figure skater who has achieved many accomplishments in his career. In 2019, he won the CS Warsaw Cup, a competition held in Poland. The following year, he won the bronze medal at the Russian National Championships.
In 2020, he became the World Junior Champion, a prestigious title for a young skater. Additionally, Mozalev has won three ISU Junior Grand Prix events, an honor that recognizes his skill and dedication.
Mozalev’s impressive record of accomplishments is a testament to his talent and hard work. His impressive skill on the ice is evident in his many successes. He is an example to aspiring figure skaters of what can be accomplished with dedication and determination.
As Mozalev continues to compete, he is sure to add more achievements to his list of successes.
10. Evgeni Semenenko
Evgeni Stanislavovich Semenenko is a talented Russian figure skater who has achieved multiple successes in his career. In 2021, he won the bronze medal at the Skate Canada competition and was crowned the 2023 Russian national champion.
He also placed in the top eight at the 2021 World Championships. This impressive performance was followed by an even more remarkable feat in the 2022 Winter Olympics, where he recorded the best result of Russia by finishing 8th all-around.
His successes have earned him recognition and admiration in the figure skating world, and he continues to be a role model for aspiring figure skaters in Russia and around the world.
11. Vladimir Tarasenko
Vladimir Andreyevich Tarasenko is a Russian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Ottawa Senators in the National Hockey League (NHL). Before joining the NHL, he was part of the Sibir Novosibirsk hockey organization in Russia.
He first joined their senior team in 2008-2009 and played in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Tarasenko has earned a reputation as one of the most talented and exciting players in the NHL. His quick skating, hard shot, and relentless work ethic have made him a fan favorite.
He has recorded more than 30 goals in each of his seven seasons in the NHL and continues to be one of the premier players in the league.
12. Mikhail Kolyada
Mikhail Sergeyevich Kolyada is one of Russia’s most decorated figure skaters.
He has achieved a remarkable level of success on the international stage, having won a silver medal in the 2018 Olympic team event, a bronze medal at the 2018 World Championships, and two bronze medals at the European Championships.
He has also made his mark in the Grand Prix Series, earning the bronze medal at the 2017 Grand Prix Final and five Grand Prix medals in total. On the national level, Mikhail has captured three Russian national titles.
This impressive record of success has firmly established Mikhail Sergeyevich Kolyada as one of the world’s elite figure skaters.
13. Evgeni Plushenko
Evgeni Viktorovich Plushenko is a former Russian figure skater who has achieved remarkable success during his career. He is a four-time Olympic medalist, having won one gold medal, one silver medal, and two bronze medals throughout his career.
Plushenko is also a three-time World champion, having won the title in 2001, 2003, and 2004.
Additionally, he is a seven-time European champion, a four-time Grand Prix Final champion, and a ten-time Russian national champion. Plushenko has always been a fierce competitor and his accomplishments prove it.
He is considered one of the greatest figure skaters of all time and his record speaks for itself. He has distinguished himself from his peers by consistently competing and achieving remarkable results.
Plushenko’s incredible career has made him a household name in Russia and around the world.
14. Sergei Grinkov
Sergei Mikhailovich Grinkov was a legendary Russian figure skater who achieved significant success in his career. He won gold medals at the 1988 and 1994 Winter Olympics in the pair skating event with his wife Ekaterina Gordeeva.
Grinkov and Gordeeva were also four-time World Champions, having won the title from 1985 to 1988. Grinkov was born in Moscow, Russia in 1967, and was trained by the renowned coach Tamara Moskvina.
He began skating at the young age of nine and quickly rose through the ranks, winning the Junior World Championships in 1985.
Soon after, he paired up with his wife Ekaterina Gordeeva and the two became a powerhouse duo in the world of pair skating. Their career was marked by a series of remarkable accomplishments, including two Olympic gold medals and four World titles.
They had an impressive and unique style on the ice that was admired by audiences and judges alike.
Grinkov and Gordeeva also had the reputation of being a dedicated and disciplined team. Sergei Mikhailovich Grinkov’s career was tragically cut short in 1995 when he passed away due to a heart attack while practicing for a show. He was only 28 years old.
His loss was felt deeply by the skating world and his fans. Grinkov will forever be remembered for his amazing talent and unwavering dedication to the sport of figure skating.
15. Daniil Samsonov
Daniil Aleksandrovich Samsonov is an accomplished Russian figure skater who has achieved much success in his career. He has been skating since a young age and has won several awards and medals at the junior level.
He has held three junior world records in men’s figure skating, an impressive feat for such a young athlete.
His records include the fastest time in the men’s 500-meter short program, the fastest time in the men’s 1,500-meter short program, and the most points ever scored by a male skater in the junior division. Beyond his impressive achievements in the junior division, Samsonov has also seen success in the senior division.
He has consistently placed highly in international competitions, earning medals in the Grand Prix series and the European Championships. Not only is Samsonov successful in competitions, but he is also well-known for his technical skill and artistic expression in his skating.
He has been praised for his innovative and stunning routines that often captivate audiences. Overall, Daniil Aleksandrovich Samsonov is a highly accomplished figure skater who has achieved much success in the junior and senior divisions.
He is an inspiration to many young skaters who aspire to reach his level of excellence. He continues to push the boundaries of the sport and set new records, making him an icon in the world of figure skating.
16. Eteri Tutberidze
Eteri Georgievna Tutberidze is a highly respected figure skating coach, known for her work with female single skaters. She is a Georgian-Russian, born and raised in her native country of Georgia, but has since moved to Moscow, Russia.
She is currently the head coach at the Sambo 70 skating club in Moscow, which is a well-known figure skating school. Tutberidze has coached some of the best female figure skaters in the world, including the 2014 Olympic gold medalist Adelina Sotnikova.
Many of her students have achieved great success in international competitions, and she has been widely praised for her work.
Her coaching methods have been credited for creating skaters who have excellent technique and strong artistry. Tutberidze is also known for her dedication to her students, often pushing them to their full potential.
She pays close attention to all aspects of her students’ performance, helping them to develop their technique, artistry, and stamina.
Her experience and knowledge of the sport have made her one of the most sought-after coaches in the world. Eteri Georgievna Tutberidze is a highly-regarded figure skating coach who is renowned for her work with female single skaters.
She is a Georgian-Russian and currently serves as the head coach at the Sambo 70 skating club in Moscow. Tutberidze is well-known for the success of her students and has been praised for her unique coaching methods.
She is dedicated to her students and works hard to ensure that they reach their full potential. Her experience and knowledge of the sport have made her one of the most respected coaches in the world.
17. Artemi Panarin
Artemi Panarin is an accomplished Russian professional ice hockey player. He is a winger and currently plays for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is also an alternate captain for the Rangers.
Nicknamed “Breadman”, or simply “Bread”, he has had an impressive career in the NHL. Panarin was drafted in the 2010 Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) Draft by Vityaz Chekhov. He subsequently played for the team for three seasons before joining SKA Saint Petersburg in 2012.
During his four seasons with the team, he won the Gagarin Cup and was named the league’s most-valuable player three times. Panarin then moved to the NHL in 2015 to play for the Chicago Blackhawks.
He quickly made an impact in the NHL and was named the NHL Rookie of the Month in December 2015. He was also named to the All-Rookie Team.
During the 2016-17 season, he was named to the All-Star Team and also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. In 2019, Panarin was traded to the New York Rangers. He is currently in his second season with the team and is the team’s alternate captain.
He has earned a reputation as an offensive leader for the Rangers, scoring 20 goals and 59 points in the 2019-20 season. Panarin is an impressive player on and off the ice, and his nickname of “Breadman” is a testament to his skill and work ethic.
He is a respected leader in the NHL and has earned a place among the league’s elite players.
18. Alexei Yagudin
Alexei Konstantinovich Yagudin is a highly accomplished Russian figure skater. He has achieved a remarkable number of accomplishments throughout his career. At the 2002 Winter Olympics, Yagudin became the Olympic champion, a feat that is highly sought after by figure skaters.
His success did not end there, as he went on to win four World Championships, three European Championships, two Grand Prix Final Championships, one World Junior Championship and two World Professional Championships. Yagudin is considered to be one of the greatest figure skaters of all time.
His skill and passion for the sport have earned him recognition as one of the top skaters in the world. He has achieved a level of success that is rarely seen in the sport. In addition to his accomplishments, Yagudin is also an inspiration to aspiring figure skaters.
His determination and dedication to his craft are something that all aspiring figure skaters should strive to emulate.
He has shown that hard work and dedication can lead to great success in the sport. Yagudin’s impressive list of accomplishments have earned him a place in the history books of figure skating. His career is an example of what can be achieved through dedication and hard work.
He is an inspiration to those looking to pursue figure skating, and his accomplishments will continue to motivate future generations of skaters.
19. Dmitri Aliev
Dmitri Sergeyevich Aliev is a Russian figure skater who has achieved significant success in his career. He is the 2020 European champion, having won the title at the 2020 European Figure Skating Championships held in Graz, Austria.
Additionally, he is the 2020 Russian national champion, having earned the title at the 2020 Russian Figure Skating Championships in Saint Petersburg.
His success in both competitions has made him one of the top contenders for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing. Aliev’s success is no surprise, as he has been on the radar of figure skating fans for some time.
He has competed in numerous international competitions, earning multiple medals for his performances. He is known for his strong technique and powerful jumps, which have helped him to secure top placements in a variety of events.
His training and dedication to the sport have been evident in every performance, and he has become one of the most recognizable faces in Russian figure skating. Aliev’s success is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.
He continues to train and compete at the highest level, and his future looks bright. With the upcoming Winter Olympics, he has the potential to add more gold medals to his already impressive resume.
20. Maria Sotskova
Maria Romanovna Sotskova is an accomplished figure skater who has achieved great success in her career. She began her competitive skating career in 2016, and since then, she has been a consistent presence on the podium in international competitions.
In 2017, she won the silver medal at the Grand Prix Final, as well as the silver medal at the Internationaux de France. She also won the bronze medal at the NHK Trophy and the gold medal at the CS Finlandia Trophy, both in 2016.
In 2018, she earned the silver medal at the Russian national championships. Throughout her career, Maria has demonstrated a high level of skill and commitment to the sport. She has been rewarded for her hard work and dedication with a number of medals and titles.
She is a great example of what can be achieved through dedication and hard work in figure skating.
Conclusion
Russia has some of the best skating players in the world, with numerous champions coming from the country. From the Olympic gold medalists to the world champions, Russia has produced some of the best skaters in the world.
They are known for their skill, speed, and technical ability, and it is no surprise that they are amongst the most decorated skaters. Whether you are looking for a competitive skater or just a recreational one, Russia has some of the best skaters in the world.
