Russian skaters Konstantinova and Skoptsova: a look at recent milestones and career turns
Russian figure skater Stanislava Konstantinova publicly saluted her former peer Anastasia Skoptsova on social media, sharing a group photo in swimsuits and filming themselves with mobile devices. The post carried a simple caption: “Happy birthday, baby,” accompanying the image and moment of celebration.
November 8 marked Skoptsova’s 23rd birthday. Alongside her partner Kirill Aleshin, she has since stepped away from competition. The duo had a notable career in junior and senior ranks, including a gold showing at the World Junior Championships in the 2017/18 season and bronze medals at both the Russian national championships and the Grand Prix circuit. They later entered the senior Grand Prix arena in the 2018/19 season and earned a silver at the Tallinn Cup, signaling a promising transition into adult competition.
Konstantinova announced a pause in her own competitive skating in August 2022. In a July 2023 interview with Sport Express, she disclosed that she had lost motivation and felt she had surpassed her peak, explaining that she did not see a path to surpass her previous results. Her sister continues to participate in the sport, maintaining the family’s involvement in figure skating.
Among Konstantinova’s career highlights is a bronze medal in women’s singles at the 2019 Universiade, a recognition that added to her standing within the sport during her competitive years.
Additionally, a separate note from the broader sports world mentioned a former female UFC fighter sharing provocative imagery from a swimsuit appearance, underscoring how various athletes use social platforms to express themselves and engage with audiences across disciplines. These moments illustrate the diverse paths athletes navigate as their careers evolve and public profiles adapt to new opportunities and audience expectations.
These updates collectively reflect a period of transition for several athletes connected to the Russian figure skating community. They highlight the shift from intense competitive schedules toward personal, professional, and public-life recalibrations, a process that many skaters experience as they progress through different stages of their athletic journeys.