Maxim Naumov’s emotional return to U.S. Figure Skating Championships after parents’ tragic death
Maxim Naumov returned to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Thursday night in St. Louis, a place colored with nostalgia as it marks the last event his parents watched him compete in. Battling his emotions, Naumov managed to hold back tears until an overwhelming standing ovation swept him off the ice. Once in the kiss-and-cry area, the dam broke and he allowed the tears to flow.
It was less than a year ago that his parents, former world champions Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, tragically lost their lives when their plane collided with a military helicopter, crashing into the icy Potomac River. This tragic event claimed 67 lives, including many young skaters who looked up to the Naumovs. Faced with the weight of this loss, 24-year-old Maxim reflected, “It’s all about being resilient… even in the face of emotional turmoil, you have to push yourself and think, ‘What if I can do this?’”
Embracing his past, Naumov shared that he brought an old photograph of himself, about three years old, with his parents beside him, stepping onto the ice for the first time. “They didn’t have black skates in my size,” he recalled fondly. The last time they spoke, they discussed his aspirations for the upcoming Olympics in Italy. His impressive short program, featuring a quad salchow, thrust him into the mix for Saturday’s free skate.
Reflecting on the impact of his journey, Naumov noted, “My dad would have told me to keep fighting for that salchow,” while lovingly joking about his mother’s aversion to watching him skate past a young age. He has taken on new responsibilities at his parents’ renowned skating academy, emphasizing the need for strength in the face of adversity. “This experience has built more confidence in me,” he stated, recognizing the unique challenges he has faced.
Numerous heartfelt tributes at this year’s nationals echoed the impact of the crash. Fellow skaters like 16-year-old Sophie Joline Von Felten also honored the victims, solidifying a sense of community and remembrance within the sport. Nothing, however, tugged at the heartstrings more than Naumov’s poignant moment post-performance, where he embraced his coach and kissed the photo he cherished so much.
Speaking about his Olympic ambitions, Naumov’s bond with his parents remained palpable as he stated, “It’s what my parents and I discussed; it would mean the world to me. That’s what we’re fighting for.” This champion not only skates for himself but carries the legacy of his parents with him, encapsulating the enduring spirit of figure skating.
