Alexander Zhulin, the respected coach honored in Russia, recalled a candid moment from Roman Kostomarov’s earlier days on the ice during an appearance on the Secret of a Million program on NTV. According to Zhulin, Kostomarov arrived at training with palpable enthusiasm, a spark that suggested a young skater ready to push boundaries. Yet, the path was not without its rough edges. The coach described a recurring issue tied to alcohol that cast a shadow over early sessions. Kostomarov would sometimes arrive visibly agitated, a tremor in his demeanor that made the training floor feel charged with extra tension. In those moments, Zhulin chose a straightforward approach: enforce discipline with penalties. He recounted starting with a modest sum of $100, then raising the stakes to $200, and progressively going higher as the pattern persisted. When Kostomarov reached the amount of $800, Zhulin indicated there was a limit to the penalties. He noted that Kostomarov often found the money through means that suggested borrowing rather than earning, a detail that underscored the financial and emotional strain surrounding the discipline process. Despite the friction, the coach emphasized a turning point at a World Championships when the team earned a medal; at that moment, the coach returned every dollar and the matter was closed on a note of mutual acknowledgment. This vignette paints a picture of a high-pressure training environment where tough love and accountability sometimes intersect with personal challenges, all under the umbrella of a sport that demands both strength and resilience. The reflection stands as a testament to how early coaching battles can evolve into shared victories on the world stage [Cited from NTV program Secret of a Million].
In early January 2023, Kostomarov faced a sudden and severe health crisis that interrupted what had been a rising arc in his career. After participating in New Year performances at an outdoor show, he was hospitalized with pneumonia and quickly placed in intensive care due to the seriousness of his condition. Reports at the time described the situation as critical, with doctors working to stabilize him in a high-stakes medical environment. The skater, who had been in the care of medical professionals, was later moved to a major hospital for advanced treatment. His condition required the use of a ventilator, reflecting the gravity of the respiratory failure and the urgent need for life-sustaining support. The medical team described the situation as extremely serious, and extended efforts were made to protect vital organ function while the body fought the infection. Kostomarov’s medical journey continued as the team explored every possible measure to support recovery, including the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ECMO, a technology that temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs when traditional methods fall short. During this period, his limbs faced devastating complications that ultimately led to the surgical removal of both feet and hands after careful consultation with specialists. The care pathway, marked by careful decision-making and persistent medical intervention, culminated in a discharge from the hospital in early July, a milestone that brought a formal conclusion to a challenging chapter in the skater’s life and signaled the start of a long road toward rehabilitation and adaptation to new ways of living and competing. The resilience shown in those weeks has been widely acknowledged by teammates, coaching staff, and fans who followed the updates with hopeful concern.
Earlier statements from Kostomarov himself addressed the strains within his personal life, including difficult moments in his marriage. He has spoken publicly about the challenges that accompanied his professional rise, sharing reflections on how personal relationships can be tested under the intense spotlight of elite sport. The public narrative around his journey has consistently highlighted both the extraordinary achievements in figure skating and the human struggles that accompany a career at the highest level. As Kostomarov moves forward, the focus remains on rebuilding physical strength, mental fortitude, and a life beyond competition that still honors the memories of the moments that defined his skating years. The support from friends, family, and the skating community continues to be a guiding thread through this chapter of recovery and renewal.