Russian figure skater Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva, crowned gold in ice dancing alongside Yegor Bazin at the 2022/23 Russian Championship, has been sharing new moments from her routine on her YouTube channel, under the channel name Kvaksel. In recent content, she addresses a common mix-up that follows her presence on the ice and off it, noting that fans often confuse her with Olympic singles champion Alina Zagitova. The mixups refer to both skaters as blondes who can switch to brunette looks, which has led to laughter and light-hearted anecdotes during public appearances.
Khudaiberdieva recalls a year when a fan approached her believing she was Zagitova and asked for a photo, only to realize the error after the picture was taken. She describes the moment with humor, explaining that the misidentification typically ends with the person tagging Zagitova in the posted image. This candid confession was shared with her audience during a relaxed, chatty video session that resonates with fans who enjoy behind-the-scenes moments of athletes in their natural environment.
The partnership between Khudaiberdieva and Bazin began in 2020, marking a significant chapter in their skating careers as a duo. Before teaming up with Bazin, Khudaiberdieva skated with other partners, including Sofia Evdokimova in past seasons. Bazin himself previously performed in partnerships with Nikita Nazarov and Andrei Filatov, highlighting how the sport often emphasizes evolving collaborations and training environments that shape a skater’s approach to competition.
Zagitova achieved Olympic glory in 2018, a milestone that anchored her status in the sport. Alongside the Olympic gold, she earned World Championship gold in 2019 and European Championship gold and silver medals in 2018 and 2019. She remains a historic figure in Russian figure skating as the only solo skater from her country to win all major world championships, a distinction that places her among the most celebrated athletes in the sport’s history.
There is also a note from Zagitova’s past public appearances, including a photo moment when she wore a short skirt and red shoes, recollected by fans and observers who remember the playful style she brought to her public image.