“Leaving Tutberidze for another coach would be a betrayal” – Usacheva

Russian figure skater Daria Usacheva explained why she decided to put her career on hold and quit the coaching staff Eteri Tutberidze .

In early August, it became known that the skater left the Tutberidze group.

– Why did you leave Eteri Tutberidze?

– Well, first of all, I wanted to clarify a little that the expression “left Eteri Georgievna” has its place, but it is not the main one. I took a break from professional sport, from competitions. And, therefore, if I don’t go to competitions, I don’t train professionally with Eteri Georgievna.

Half of the comments were about the coach I went to. I had thoughts about the transition, but they burst like bubbles. I never wanted to go to another coach, because I’ve been in Khrustalny since I was four years old, it’s my home in the literal sense, I love it with all my heart, all the people who work there – from coaches to administrators.

Eteri Georgievna and the whole coaching staff brought me to high rewards. I am extremely grateful to them, and for me, going to another coach would be a betrayal. And I honestly didn’t want to and I don’t want to do that. Therefore, I have never had such thoughts and never will.

I made this decision myself. At first, I told my mother, she agreed with me, she accepted everything. And we said it together to Eteri Georgievna. I wisely assessed my abilities, prospects, listened to my inner voice, what I sincerely want.

I can say with confidence that I have never regretted it and that I am extremely happy now, free. Everyone wrote “wait”, but I don’t have to hold on, everything is fine with me. Eteri Georgievna agreed to everything, we wished everyone good luck, she also thanked Sergey Viktorovich and Daniil Markovich. I was very happy to hear kind words from them. They also wished success, good luck in the new stage, it was very nice. I almost shed a tear.

How did the girls react?

– I told Anna everything in the process, my thoughts, she, of course, supported. Maya too, we communicate very well now. When it came to friends, Maya and I are very good friends, although in a group, it seems, direct competitors of the same age, but we communicate well.

I will miss the trips to competitions with the coaches. I participated in all the first stages of the International Junior Grand Prix with Sergey Viktorovich. He was like a father: he showed me where to apply for accreditation, pushed me in everyday things. Sergey Viktorovich is generally a nice man, very cheerful,” Usacheva told Sport24.

Sport24