Born: 2004
Biography:
Anna Stanislavovna Shcherbakova (Russian: Анна Станиславовна Щербакова, IPA: [ˈanːə ɕːɪrˈbakəvə]), born on March 28, 2004, is a Russian figure skater and television presenter. She has made a significant impact on the sport of figure skating with her technical prowess and groundbreaking achievements.
Shcherbakova began her skating journey at the tender age of three in 2007, inspired by her older sister who was already a figure skater. She started under the guidance of her first coach, Oksana Bulycheva, at the Khrustalnyi rink of the Olympic Reserve Sports School No. 37 in Moscow. In 2013, she moved on to train with renowned coaches Eteri Tutberidze and Sergei Dudakov in the elite group at the same rink, which was later renamed Sambo 70.
Despite facing setbacks early in her career, Shcherbakova persevered and overcame obstacles. In the summer of 2017, she suffered a broken leg while attempting a triple loop at a training camp, causing her to miss most of the 2017-2018 season, including her planned debut in the Junior Grand Prix. Undeterred by this setback, she made her comeback in January 2018 at the Russian Junior Championships, finishing thirteenth.
Shcherbakova’s breakthrough came in the junior ranks, where she showcased her immense talent. She won the 2018 JGP Slovakia and JGP Canada championships, setting herself apart as a formidable competitor at the junior level. In 2019, she captured the silver medal at the World Junior Championships, solidifying her status as one of the rising stars in figure skating.
However, it was in the senior ranks where Shcherbakova truly made history. She burst onto the scene in the 2019-2020 season, securing numerous titles and earning recognition for her groundbreaking jumps. Shcherbakova made history as the first senior female skater to land a quad Lutz in competition. She also became the first woman to land two quad Lutz jumps in a single program, pushing the boundaries of what was previously thought possible in women’s figure skating.
Throughout her senior career, Shcherbakova has demonstrated incredible consistency and dominance, never placing below second in any competition she has entered. She has captured numerous titles, including the 2019 Skate America, 2019 Cup of China, 2021 Internationaux de France, 2021 Gran Premio d’Italia, and the prestigious 2021 World Championships. She has also achieved success at the European level, earning silver medals in 2020 and 2022.
Shcherbakova’s impact extends beyond her individual achievements. She has inspired a new generation of skaters with her technical prowess and innovative elements. Her ability to push the boundaries of what is considered possible in women’s figure skating has reshaped the sport and set the stage for future generations to continue pushing the limits.
In addition to her accomplishments on the ice, Shcherbakova has also ventured into television presenting. Her charismatic personality and ability to connect with viewers have made her a popular figure in the media.
Awards:
– 2022 Olympic champion
– 2021 World champion
– Two-time European silver medalist (2020 and 2022)
– 2019 Grand Prix Final silver medalist
– 2019 Skate America champion
– 2019 Cup of China champion
– 2021 Internationaux de France champion
– 2021 Gran Premio d’Italia champion
– 2019 CS Lombardia Trophy champion
– Three-time Russian national champion (2019–2021)
– 2019 World Junior silver medalist
– 2018 JGP Slovakia champion
– 2018 JGP Canada champion
– 2019 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival champion
– 2019 Russian junior national bronze medalist
Anna Shcherbakova’s achievements and contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of figure skating. Her groundbreaking jumps and technical proficiency have revolutionized the sport, inspiring future generations of skaters to dream big and reach for the stars.