Alexander Plushenko, now ten years old, stands at a crossroads in his figure skating journey, thinking about the shift from one coach to another. His own words echo the practical questions every aspiring skater asks about team changes and new mentorships, and they set a tone for what follows in the world of elite skating.
Asked how someone might outbid rivals or attract a top coach, Alexander offered a candid assessment. It’s not something to chase aggressively, he suggested; a move would happen naturally if it serves the skater’s goals. His measured view reflects a mature understanding of the sport’s dynamics and the realities of coach scouting.
When pressed about how a renowned coach might respond to such a situation, the young skater replied in simple terms, choosing silence as his preferred reaction. Sometimes the best answer is no answer at all, allowing actions and outcomes to speak for themselves.
Born on January 6, 2013, Alexander began his on-ice journey at a very young age. At three, he moved to St. Petersburg to train alongside his father, a decision that placed him at the heart of Russia’s figure skating scene. He first appeared on the ice in high-spirited productions such as The Snow King – 2 in St. Petersburg and The Nutcracker in Moscow. Since 2017, he has trained at the Plushenko Angels figure skating academy, a program established by the celebrated two-time Olympic champion to cultivate young talent.
In the shifting landscape of coaching, a notable development occurred in 2020 when two athletes shifted away from Tutberidze to join Plushenko. These athletes, Alexandra Trusova and Alena Kostornaya, later chose new paths, with both returning to Khrustalny or pursuing different formats of competition, underscoring how coaching alliances can evolve even at the highest levels of the sport. Under Tutberidze’s leadership, Trusova continued to achieve podium success, including a silver medal at the 2022 Olympic Games, a result that was celebrated alongside her other competitive milestones. Kostornaya, meanwhile, explored different directions, first aligning with Elena Buyanova and later moving into pair skating, illustrating the fluid options skaters explore in pursuit of balance, form, and technique.
There have been public remarks about the intensity of training environments and the pressures that can arise within elite teams. Statements from various coaching figures have circulated regarding the emotional and physical demands athletes face as they pursue peak performances, which has contributed to ongoing conversations about athlete welfare and coaching culture in the sport.