"It's cool to transfer knowledge. Not everyone can"

Artur Danielyan, the silver medalist of the 2020 European Championships, returned to the podium after a long break. At the Russian Grand Prix in Kazan, a figure skater from Evgeny Rukavitsyn's group became the second, made a clean and emotional roll with a quadruple salchback and two triple axels, showing the best result of the season and finally exceeding the mark of 250 points. For Artur, this medal is not just a result, but a symbol of returning after difficult seasons and internal doubts. In an interview with Izvestia and Sport-Express, he talked about how he experienced a break in his career, about training, goals, and what it means to go back on the ice.

"I will get in shape gradually"

— Artur, how did you like the performance in Kazan?

— Only positive emotions. It is clear that there were shortcomings, shoals, but this is a reason to grow and become better. Unconditional happiness, probably. Immediately after, there were no other emotions.

— Do you miss international startups?

— I miss you very much. I periodically review some of my international starts, where I managed to perform. And it's just that there are even evenings when I take the time to watch my good performances, from the third youth category to the present day.

— What is your favorite?

— Well, something from childhood, when I was riding and just had a lot of fun. I was just reviewing this before the short program in Kazan and today before the free skate — on my little self, how frisky and daring he was. And it didn't matter... In general, I just went and did it, the main thing was not to do the element, but to "dance" my own. In general, there was some other approach, I was trying to capture this essence.

— What other rituals are there before going on the ice or the day before the rental?

— Not globally, just music. Before the release, there are five—minute contrasting showers to get a little excited, and that's about it.

— Would you like to return to international competitions?

— Time will tell. I have radically different goals in front of me now. Now it's like, I don't know, sitting in a puddle without binoculars, looking into space and saying, "There now."

— And what are the goals? For the season, for example?

— It's about the same thing: to improve, to get more complicated, and not to touch anything, that's how I skate well — just a little better, better, and come to this pleasant feeling that I can skate well and cleanly from time to time.

— And what prevented you from taking medals before that?

— I did a good job in Magnitogorsk — it was a good boost. There was a memorial to Panin before Magnitogorsk, and it didn't work out completely either, but it was also a step forward. I know that I will get in shape gradually. Even at the training camp, I told myself: I'm not going to try like crazy to be in perfect shape in July. I've already been through this mess. Therefore, calmly, by September it was a little better, and I came to the stages in good shape. For now, take a break and prepare further.

— What does your training day look like?

— My training day: warm-up, ice, break, warm-up, ice, hitch. Somewhere out there the OFP is skipping, somewhere the jumping in the gym, the SFP. This is my training day. After that, I go to work — it's already a training day for my athletes themselves.

"It was a little scary on the first day of training"

Figure skater Dina Khusnutdinova — about winning the Grand Prix in Kazan, a cool head and adapting to the "Crystal"

"My boy jumped almost all the single jumps"

— Are you planning to become a coach?

— There is such a thought, why not? Like. So far, I'm more of an athlete, but I'm slowly gaining experience, passing on my own, which I've accumulated over the years in sports, and the experience of my mentors. I pass on knowledge to kids and adult amateurs — it's also useful. But for now, I'm more of an athlete.

— What advice do you give to kids?

— The athlete often says "I can't". I say, "You have two legs, you have two arms, so do it!" We're trying to be playful, and so he does, and I say, "You see, but he said you couldn't." And so it stays in their heads. Other times they offer it themselves.: "Let's increase the number! Something else!" I seem to be getting it. That is, I am very worried and afraid of making a mistake. I have people nearby who have been stewing in this for many years and can tell me. I have one boy who jumped single jumps almost all of them. For me, this is both pride and joy. It's cool to transfer knowledge. Not everyone can.

— And what good advice did you get from the coaches?

— There are many of them. But the brightest one... Artur Danielyan is probably a man who can do anything.

— How do you manage to combine study, training and work?

— With God's help (laughs). But thanks to the teachers and the university for coming forward. I can approach the teachers, talk, hand over something, ask for something - I try to cover everything as much as possible so that there are fewer student debts. If debts arise, I also try not to put them off for a long time.

— In general, what do you like more: study or get a diploma and work faster?

— No, well, knowledge is always good. Even if you are already a professor, knowledge is something that cannot be taken away. It's easy to become a coach and say, "Your leg isn't stretched, your arm is hanging." And the subtleties are acquired with knowledge, with study. And from personal experience, of course. When you know all these pitfalls, it's a plus for you.

— Is there any free time at all in this case?

— There is a little bit, there is even a day off.

— What are you filling in?

— Communication with the dog. I've become a domestic person, I don't really go anywhere on weekends. Maximum distance to the pool. I took a subscription to the pool, take a break, recharge, and then spend time at home. Nothing special: cleaning there and all that. And with my dog. Toy is Tiffany's poodle. She's bored at home. I try to give her all the time I have left from the whole day. I direct my attention to her.