Elizaveta Tuktamysheva Pursues Quad Jumps Amid Post-Olympic Momentum
In early May, news surfaced that Elizaveta Tuktamysheva had restored her quadruple sheepskin coat technique, a move noted while Mishin’s training group trained in Armenia. The skater had previously attempted the element once at the Russian Championship in 2021, a try fans say ended with a stumble. Since that moment, the quartet has kept their focus on clean program execution and the iconic triple Axel, especially during the Olympic cycle. At the Russian Championship, during the short program, she faced disappointment at a pivotal moment, finishing seventh and missing the chance to secure an Olympic berth.
Yet there is an evident pattern: Tuktamysheva tends to miss Olympic qualification but then delivers a strong post-Olympic season. Seven years ago she landed the triple Axel and went on to win all international assignments, earning a bronze at the Grand Prix Finals after the 2018 Games. The latest reports suggest her post-Olympic run could become exceptionally competitive.
Beyond the restored quad technique, she is also learning two additional quads—the Salchow and the Lutz.
Coach Tatyana Mishina stated that Tuktamysheva plans to add a quadruple jump to her free program, with the exact number depending on the readiness of each element. The coach does not rule out performing both a quadruple sheepskin coat and a Salchow during competition periods.
“Of course she has goals, and she trains to showcase them in events. Before each start, it is clear when a jump is ready, because one jump should not destabilize the entire program. The mood matters too, but Lisa is in excellent condition. She is working on the sheepskin coat, the Salchow, and the Lutz,” Mishina told Match TV.
Now 25, Tuktamysheva remains the world’s only female skater over age 20 to perform the quadruple jump at a high level. She competes on par with younger rivals and has no plans to retire. In a summer interview, she admitted motivation to push further and master additional quad elements.
“I want to learn more quads. I want to jump them consistently, overcome fear, and work toward a reliable Lutz and Salchow in the same program with the sheepskin coat. If Armenia’s training camp yields a strong performance there, more quads become possible,” she said to the press.
Aleksei Nikolaevich noted that anyone who lands a triple Axel could, in principle, assemble a quadruple Salchow and a sheepskin coat. She acknowledged a stumble with Salchow but emphasized that everything remains within reach with time and practice.
As a long-time athlete and someone who has developed a resilient character since childhood, she aims to maximize what her body can deliver. The plan is to master other quads as physiology and technique allow, not to prove anything to others but to prove to herself that these jumps are achievable at her age. This perspective was shared by the Russian Figure Skating Federation’s press service.
Olympic champion Natalya Bestemyanova commented to a sports outlet, weighing Tuktamysheva’s quad possibility and noting that predicting which element will succeed is difficult.
“I think Lisa can be successful. She has strong triple jumps—why not a quad too? I’m happy for her progress. The pause on some international events does not prevent athletes from improving and becoming their best. It’s well deserved,” said the former skater.
Overall, Tuktamysheva has spent recent years maintaining a high, stable level. During the 2020-21 season she not only pursued the quad but also claimed a Grand Prix stage in Russia, placed second at the World Championships in Stockholm, and finished behind Anna Shcherbakova only in the final standings. A strong performance at the World Championships helped Russia secure three spots for the 2022 Olympic Games. She captained the national team to victory at the World Team Championships when the Olympic campaign began, opening with a win at the first stage of the Russian Cup and gathering medals across the season, including a podium at the Grand Prix in Canada and Russia. She later qualified for the final, which was canceled due to the global health situation. Notably, in these starts, she only lost to Kamila Valieva, who went undefeated that season prior to Beijing.
Her consistent form positioned Tuktamysheva as a strong favorite for the Beijing Games before the national championship, even as questions loomed about teammates Trusova and Shcherbakova. At the championship, both of her Eteri Tutberidze trainees reached the podium, leaving Tuktamysheva as the first substitute for European Championships and the Olympics.
Later, she stated there were no disappointments, emphasizing a purely sporting interest in the Olympics and her prior experience. She also noted that competitive-selection criteria are extremely tough, with a deep pool of quad-capable skaters; the national team remains exceptionally strong. The remarks were echoed in a recent interview, highlighting that there were no negative emotions while watching the Olympic Games.
In summary, the current phase shows a skater who blends legacy with measurable ambition, aiming to convert every potential jump into a reliable element that can elevate her performances on the world stage. The evolving story of Tuktamysheva continues to attract interest across the Canadian and American skating communities, who watch closely for signals about how the quad landscape might shift in major competitions in the near term. [Attribution: FFKKR]