Mikhail announced the suspension of his career, but it is hard to believe in his return.
Photo: © Denis Gladkov / Match TV
The famous Russian figure skater Mikhail Kolyada thundered throughout the country with his statement. The vice-champion of the Olympics has publicly said that he is suspending his career for an indefinite period. The decision is quite expected, given that Kolyada has competed very little lately.
Fans and experts are almost unanimous in their opinion that the suspension of a career in this case means its end.
“See you tomorrow, dear Misha”
Kolyada announced his intention to suspend his career in Maxim Trankov’s podcast. Soon this information was confirmed by the general director of the Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKKR) Alexander Kogan.
“It’s a pity that a talented athlete decided to suspend his competitive career,” Kogan told RIA Novosti Sport.
The figure skater’s coach Alexei Mishin said that Kolyada should be given time. Now he is essentially frozen in one place, and he needs a reboot. Mishin also spoke very warmly about the pupil.
– In my coaching career there were many outstanding athletes. I want to say that the most vivid impression in my heart and soul of the coach was the work with Misha Kolyada. I don’t say goodbye to Mikhail, I say: “Until tomorrow, dear Misha,” Mishin told Match TV.
Alexey Mishin and Mikhail Kolyada / Photo: © RIA Novosti / Olga Benard
Two-time Olympic champion Maxim Trankov believes that Kolyada will be missed in the new season. At the same time, it is not yet clear whether the skater will return to competitive ice.
I am not a clairvoyant and generally do not like to talk about the future. Alexey Nikolaevich Mishin has a huge experience, and Misha himself is an adult guy, since they made such a decision, then it was balanced. Of course, Misha will be missed at the competitions, – Trankov told Match TV.
Honored coach of the USSR in figure skating Tatyana Tarasova found the reasons for this decision in the absence of high-profile successes.
As a professional, I understand why he did it. Not the success he hoped for. As a fan, of course, I am upset by this decision, Tarasova told Match TV.
Simple or Renaissance?
Last season, Kolyada practically did not play. All he remembers is the bronze of the Russian Jumping Championship and one of the stages of the Russian Grand Prix. Mikhail concentrated on ice shows and practically dropped out of professional sports life. The skater even admitted that he could not name the best in the season, because he did not watch the competition.
At the same time, Kolyada’s talent is unlimited, especially in terms of artistry, the ability to get used to the image and ride in such a way that the audience gets goosebumps. He has the silver of the 2018 Olympics in the teams, the gold of the team world championship and the bronze of the individual, two bronzes of the European championships. But this list could be much longer and more impressive, if not for psychological instability and frequent injuries.
Mikhail Kolyada / Photo: © Enrico Calderoni / AFLO / Global Look Press
The very fact that Mikhail returned to the ice after the failure at the Pyeongchang Olympics, where, due to his mistakes, Russia was left without team gold, and a long recovery after the operation, suggests that he still has character. The transition to master Mishin and brilliant new images instantly turned Kolyada into the main figure skater of Russia, but he spent the Olympic season poorly and did not go to his second Games. Alexei Nikolaevich managed to shake up Kolyada’s career, but did not save her.
Due to the peculiar manner of communicating with journalists and the monosyllabic answers that have become branded, Kolyada has developed an image of a closed and difficult character, but certainly original and unlike anyone else. As for the prospects for his return to the ice, this option cannot be completely ruled out. However, with the current competition in the men’s singles, instability and not the most difficult jump set, it will be very difficult for Mikhail to qualify for a place in the top three at the Russian Championship. Therefore, the decision of the three-time champion of the country looks balanced and logical.
2023-07-10 17:32:54
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