Polunin: ‘You look at Plushenko and you understand that the ability to skate like that is a gift’

Ballet dancer Sergei Polunin hailed the skill level of the Olympic champion and figure skating coach Evgenia Plushenko .

– Some athletes, I know, argue like this: why should I raise my hands if I do a steep jump and get more points? Why spend money on rehearsals, barre work? But it is the choice of the athlete himself. At the same time, there are people like Evgeni Plushenko, whom you look at and understand that the ability to ride like that is a gift,” Polunin told RT.

He also noted that he was inspired by the skater’s work while studying abroad.

I wouldn’t say a fan, but I really like it. When I was studying in a choreographic school in Great Britain, my best friend, an Italian, showed me a video of Evgeny. We watched it ride and it was inspiring. Because there was always an image inside Eugene. The image of a person who lives on the ice, even without realizing it. Dramatic reserve there towards the sky. In the hands of a brilliant director, Plushenko could become a brilliant performer,” Polunin added.

Plushenko, 40, is a two-time Olympic champion (2006 in individual skating, 2014 in team competitions), two-time Olympic silver medalist (2002 and 2010), three-time world champion (2001, 2003, 2004), seven-time Europe (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012).

TR