Group coach Plushenko did not rule out that lack of fitness could hurt Kostornaya

Angela Plushenko Academy OFP coach Yerem Gazazyan in an interview with a correspondent explained why he introduces a large number of formations in the hall in the training of figure skaters and answered the question of know if he believes in a return. Alena Kostornaya .

Kostornaya previously told that she will undergo hip surgery at the end of August. Alena trained at the Plushenko Academy in the 2020/21 season, then the athlete returned to the Eteri Tutberidze group, but this offseason she changed the group again – now the skater is under the leadership of ‘Elena Buyanova.

– Why do you attach so much importance to general physical training at the academy?

– Figure skating is a complex coordination sport. We introduce a large number of general physical trainings so that the athlete is universally developed. To prepare an athlete for a cascade of several triple jumps or a quadruple, you need to work with him in the gym. We think about training so that the skater can bear the load throughout the season and not get injured.

– Do you train alone or with Plushenko?

– I have my own original ideas and exercises, but we are thinking about training with Evgeny Viktorovich. We work in tandem with ice coaches.

– Did you work with Kostorna?

– Worked a little. But Alena mainly worked with Sergei Rozanov.

– Could lack of fitness cause Kostornaya’s injury?

– Alena is an experienced athlete. I can’t say for sure what caused the injury, but the timing of a lack of fitness can’t be ruled out. You need to understand the problem in detail, but this option is possible.

Do you believe in the return of Alena?

— I believe in all athletes always and everywhere. Nothing is impossible,” Gazazyan noted.