Mikhail Kolyada | Page 5 | Golden Skate

Mikhail Kolyada

matmuh

what are levels anyway
Record Breaker
Joined
May 2, 2014
thank you all for all the info you are sharing!! its sad to see he had to go through so many hardship but it will only make him stronger and cherish every moment, and its great to see he is working hard as student too, i always admire skaters working for all aspect of their lives not just skating :love: good luck Mikhail!! i hope hardships are behind you now and we will get to enjoy your skating :cheer:
 

Tutto

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
Another rumor I heard, not very credible at all though, is that around 2002, his family was suffering financial difficulties that Mishin actually proposed to adopt him. Whether that be true or not, he must have had so many hardships in his career, let alone the injury. (At the age of 15, he said he had thought of quitting skating for four times... :() But I'm so grateful that he chose to skate and never gave up. See what he achieved this year :hap10:

That's interesting. I think it may be true. I did wonder why Mishin remained silent amidst all the recent gushing over Mika from Tarasova, Plushenko and others. Also I remember one interview where Mika talked about the time when he got an offer from another coach which was considered by his family but in the end the decision was made to remain loyal to Chebotareva. It may well refer to Mishin's.

Hopefully the funding will be no problem now when he is on the team. Though the way it works in Russia is so mysterious. In theory all expenses covered for the national team but some clubs (TSKA) seem to get more than others. Then even in the TSKA some coaches (Vodorezova) get more than for instance Goncharenko. St Petersburg's clubs are less fortunate than Moscow's. So the system seems rather complex ...hmm...But it is certain that Mika's situation is tons better now. I can't imagine what kind pressure he was under, skating the long at the Nationals knowing what is at stake. No wonder he was a bit tentative but in the end a job well done!

A Happy New Year to everyone!!! Let 2016 be great for figure skating!
 
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Perdita

Final Flight
Joined
Dec 15, 2014
Another article, some more informations about his injury:
http://www.sport-express.ru/figure-skating/reviews/951501/

via Google translate:

Men's Tears

Champion of Russia in the first final of this championship for the third consecutive series became Maxim Kovtun. He and Michael Kolyada, the performance of which was the main sensation of the tournament, guaranteed to represent our country at the main start of the season. 2013 European champions Ekaterina Bobrova / Dmitry Solovyov regained the title of champions of the country, being able to cope even with the fact that on the day of performance Dmitry aggravated an old knee injury.

Champion rental Kovtun, after which even the athlete could not hold back emotions, wiping her eyes, she left a mixed feeling. On the one hand, it was a great victory for the first time in the two years that Max fought with the task successfully completed two programs five quadruple jump, he did it. On the other hand, forces out to deal with all the technical problems, the skater was not enough: he actually remained without cascades, gleaning this bloody abyss points. This was the reason that the technique Kovtun showed only the fourth result.

Without serious loss not done this evening one. Kolyada, too, was left without a single stage, Gordey Gorshkov, who in the fourth end, failed to comply with axel, and the program Alexander Petrov quad never been declared. And this despite the fact that the 16-year-old athlete training at one of the world's best experts in the field of technology - Alexei Mishin.
Quadruple - a very tricky thing. The idea is not new, but in the course of the competition, she persistently sharpener brain. On the one hand, figure skating has now become such, that without this leap (or better - two different) to do nothing on the ice. Even in junior. On the other - the sight was a crushing setback Adya Pitkeeva heroically tried to skate with a sore back and managed to become only the ninth. Who knows, maybe the back problems began to develop what skater took the quads are not prepared for this body? That it did not withstand the excessive load.

The period of adaptation to the really challenging programs for each athlete his. Just the first final of Ekaterinburg made quite clear that to avoid this scourge - a kind of male "puberty" - and painlessly move to the "quad" level can not be just about anyone. Even the most experienced athletes - such as Konstantin Menshov and Sergei Voronov, begin to develop in four turns jumping almost ahead of time to beat them, "trifle" mastered on ice its first double.

That's why I can not judge the champion for the lack of stages. Much more just I want to believe that on Friday Kovtun took another step up.
Silver medal Michael Kolyada - the phenomenon is no less remarkable. Two years ago, when Kolyada just started talking like a very interesting and promising singles, the athlete suffered a terrible trauma: performing a training session at a high speed the most common twizzle, he got the blade in pothole and ice, to put terminology famous movie hero woke up not just in a cast, but with comminuted fractures leg with multiple shifts.

After that, there were a few operations heavy rehabilitation, permission to resume training Kolyada was only in January, and we can only guess what efforts skater and coach Valentin Chebotareva was given this way - despite the fact that the prospects after such a serious injury the team were quite vague. But the master? Free program, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" staged Mikhail its permanent choreographer Olga Klyushnichenko, the first day of the Catholic Christmas has become a "talking": to get on the podium that day, I suspect sought by many. And then came Kolyada ...
 

buton

On the Ice
Joined
Jan 6, 2014
Few photos from Russian Nats
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...245_627074040766727_5894733771181890412_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/1078784_627086934098771_35748702383325118_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/1052780_627084784098986_7452856027414136256_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/t31.0-8/1064306_627087104098754_4510948928982215651_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/t31.0-8/920729_627087247432073_8975981617085613260_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...320_627087354098729_6570020323637190733_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...733_627087544098710_9164391976721919809_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...821_627087884098676_5808469984091191150_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...443_627088037431994_3176028433003637857_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...159_627088197431978_3019796245615780252_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...092_627088390765292_1259760351016033118_o.jpg:shocked:
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/966225_627088564098608_3394595294591184502_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/t31.0-8/859031_627088734098591_2893200520653610503_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/1498835_627088904098574_7783378360544442102_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/t31.0-8/1292799_627106560763475_7439146359417298749_o.jpg
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/920651_627106777430120_4005433314138368091_o.jpg
 
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Crossover

All Hail the Queen
Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 31, 2014
Thank you for all info and photos. The story about his financial difficulties and his coach's warm support is really touching.
 

Tutto

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
The long promised translation of the interview, sorry for any mistakes but should be an improvement on the Google one:
http://www.rg.ru/2015/12/30/kolyada.html

''It's been well known that a 20-year old Misha Kolyada is a good skater. But somehow he was not considered a top Russian skater. Maybe the reason was not only in Mikhail himself. In the matter of selection to the national team in figure skating a magical influence of a coach plays a big role. There are famous coaches whose word, whose appeal to the powerful ones on the top, play an enormous role in the fortunes of their students. As it is the same anywhere in the world of figure skating. That’s why skaters sometimes go for a coaching change knowing that the famous one will be able to give much needed support.
A Russian Nationals silver medallist, Misha Kolyada has been coached by his coach Valentina Chebotareva for 15 years. She spotted a nimble boy skating in the small rink in St Petersburg when he was 5 years old and took him into her group. A boy from a family with four children, was growing up, was gaining skill & experience. But typically when the first success came, the attention followed: Misha began to receive offers from other coaches more famous and influential than a quiet & well-mannered Valentina Mikhailovna. She was not surprised. The world of figure skating has its own laws. Misha was not her first student to be offered a change of destiny. Did it hurt? Oh yes. One thing when she gladly gives away her single skater Oksana Kazakova who was put into a pair with famous Artur Dmitriev, and they win the Olympic Gold. And another is when students leave just for no reason, actually for the reason which is too well known… Chebotareva doesn’t consider that as a betrayal but how hard it is to get over such partings.
But Misha Kolyada stayed put. He was adamant. He did not accept any offers. He sought an advice from his big and, in Valentina’s words, a close family. The family conclave made unanimous decision to stay with Chebotareva. Of course, a lot was due to Misha himself. A silver medallist is not used yet to giving interviews but in Yekatirinburg he answered very decisively: ‘I could not have acted in any other way. We are together for 15 years. And we did break through!
Yes, they broke through, but everything here is like a fairytale, though it didn’t happen on Christmas Eve but on the 21st November. A well-known skater Artur Gachinski at 22 decided to retire and Kolyada replaced him at COR. Misha skated very well there but still was not considered a favourite at the Nationals. There were other candidates. But Kolyada with a good quad skated well losing only to Maxim Kovtun. Thus automatically securing a spot on the Euro team in Bratislava. For a skater to be 20 is quite an age. It’s now or never… It will be a debut for Chebotareva too who says that yes, I am not shy to admit it is the first time I go to the European Championship with my student. We’ll have a dual debut. Last spring I reached a retirement age (55) but I am planning to go on working. We are ready.
Q: I sometimes watched you. You are always so quiet, not seeking attention, unwilling to give interviews
A: Well, it is probably my style. I never raise my voice during practices, never swear at my students. We keep a quiet discipline. And you know it really works.
Q: Tell me did it hurt when most talented students were leaving you?
A: I wasn’t a famous skater myself. I graduated from the Institute, began taking groups of small kids from the local rinks. And there were so many gifted children. I enjoyed coaching them. If it was not me who led them onto ‘the big ice’ but the others, well such was my destiny. I am at the rink all my life and I am happy. But with Misha we got this breakthrough and so far it is the biggest joy in my life as a coach.
Q. I can’t help making a compliment. You said something about retirement age but you do look so young.
A: I will explain. When you do what you really like to do and especially with kids, then the wrinkles spare you. ''

I understand that Chebotareva also coached Alexandra Stepanova & Daria Beklemisheva but it is not even mentioned in their bios. It makes me think how sad it is that so many coaches remain unknown and not getting proper recognition for the great work they do. Okay thanks to Mika's success we got to know about his great coach and a wonderful person too. But how many never come to light. I don't remember Liza once during her triumphal last season paying the tribute to her first coach, Svetlana Veretennikova who coached her for over 10 (!) years. Is it not sad?
 
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Sweet Dream

Final Flight
Joined
Nov 16, 2014
That's interesting. I think it may be true. I did wonder why Mishin remained silent amidst all the recent gushing over Mika from Tarasova, Plushenko and others. Also I remember one interview where Mika talked about the time when he got an offer from another coach which was considered by his family but in the end the decision was made to remain loyal to Chebotareva. It may well refer to Mishin's.

I know loyalty is man's precious quality, but to achieve more in sport coaching change should not be regarded as some sort of betrayal. Still, it is understandable that Kolyada is unwilling to break the bond of affection between him and his current coach.

Tutto, you are such a great translator! Thank you! :thumbsup:
 

Perdita

Final Flight
Joined
Dec 15, 2014
Tutto, you are such a great translator! Thank you! :thumbsup:

ITA :agree: Thank you so much Tutto!
Changing coach is always heartbreaking even for the fans (Reminds me of Yuzu when he left Nanami Abe and went to Orsers...). How hard it must be for the coaches themselves.

Beautiful photos from the Gala:
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344853
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344854
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344858
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344864
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344866
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344869
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344872

I finally found his FS video from the World Jr. 2013!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCPQP5hBQUg
With my very limited French ability, I understand the part where the commentator says something like 'He often makes minor mistakes, but he has a lot of talent, and a lot of power.' and 'He has very little preparation going into 3A, although he lacks stability. However, he is very beautiful while he performs.'

BTW, I realised that Bratislava's arena for the Euros is the same one used by the Nepela Trophy, where he for the first time landed 4T on one foot this season. I take it as an omen of his 4S success there too ;)
 
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Li'Kitsu

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 29, 2011
BTW, I realised that Bratislava's arena for the Euros is the same one used by the Nepela Trophy, where he for the first time landed 4T on one foot this season. I take it as an omen of his 4S success there too ;)

Oh yes! That is really calming my nerves a lot to be honest - being a figure skating fan has made me so superstitious :laugh2:
And he didn't change all that much from that video you posted from 2013, he still looks so young!


Thank you very much Tutto for your amazing translation! :cheer:
 

Crossover

All Hail the Queen
Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 31, 2014
ITA :agree: Thank you so much Tutto!
Changing coach is always heartbreaking even for the fans (Reminds me of Yuzu when he left Nanami Abe and went to Orsers...). How hard it must be for the coaches themselves.

Beautiful photos from the Gala:
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344853
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344854
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344858
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344864
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344866
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344869
https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/mihsersh/album/503960/view/1344872

I finally found his FS video from the World Jr. 2013!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCPQP5hBQUg
With my very limited French ability, I understand the part where the commentator says something like 'He often makes minor mistakes, but he has a lot of talent, and a lot of power.' and 'He has very little preparation going into 3A, although he lacks stability. However, he is very beautiful while he performs.'

BTW, I realised that Bratislava's arena for the Euros is the same one used by the Nepela Trophy, where he for the first time landed 4T on one foot this season. I take it as an omen of his 4S success there too ;)

Oh, my..in these pictures, Mika looks *hot*, especially this one. He looks like a snow leopard or something big cat. The glaring eyes....
 

Tutto

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
I know loyalty is man's precious quality, but to achieve more in sport coaching change should not be regarded as some sort of betrayal. Still, it is understandable that Kolyada is unwilling to break the bond of affection between him and his current coach.

Tutto, you are such a great translator! Thank you! :thumbsup:

Thanks to all, guys, you are too kind. My English is good but not that good but glad to be of service!

As to coaching changes I am totally on the side of the athletes - the life in sport is so short the sacrifices they make are enormous of course they need to do what they need to do. It is tougher on the coaches alas but Chebotareva herself says she does not regard it as a betrayal. And it gives us fans a lot to talk about! Remember the time when Sasha left Tarasova or Michelle - Carroll...:drama:

New interview with Mikhail by Andrei Simonenko:

http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/872471

Thanks for the link. Very nice , informal interview - will be posting translation later on
 
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Tutto

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
New interview with Mikhail by Andrei Simonenko:

http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/872471

Part 1 translation:

Mikhail Kolyada became a sensation of this season but he was pointed out to the author of this interview 5 years ago as ‘our Patrick Chan’.
- No I never heard that I was compared to Chan whom I respect very much. When he is skating you want to keep watching him. His season hasn’t been that good so far but I think he is still ‘recovering’ from the Olympics. He is really great…
-You disagree that your skating skills are exceptional
- I don’t regard myself as a master. Chan yes his SS are amazing. Mine are so so not great…
-Who are your idols?
-Aleksei Yagudin, Zenya Plushenko. But everyone has to have own style. I try not to copy anyone.
-How come you chose figure skating and not football or hockey?
-My Mum liked figure skating she brought me to the rink when I was 5. To be honest I always wanted to switch to footfall.
-After the practice, went to play a football with kids in the yard, yes?
-Oh yes I used to, even missed the practice sometimes. There was a moment I didn’t want to skate at all. Was trying to find an alternative but thank God I didn’t.
-When you got a serious injury an year and a half ago, probably wanted to give up too?
-No it was just the opposite I was determined. I realised that it would be difficult to come back but tried not to dwell on it. I knew it was realistic, many athletes made a recovery after very serious injuries and succeeded.
-I read that you would never tell on what element you got injured because everybody would laugh.
-No not exactly but what happened was like this: I was doing the step sequence, on a twizzle the skate got stuck in the ice crevice. I fell and realised that could not get up. Was taken away on the stretchers.
-That’s horrible
-Yes I am trying not to recall this
-I know one tennis player who was scared to play again after the injury for a long time.
-I was lucky to recover quickly. The first surgery was in August 2014. I was told that the plate would be removed in February – March 2015. I had a course of physio. Started to walk normally without limping, began to skate a little. Then in about 2.5 months had a x-ray that showed that all was well. So there was another surgery to remove the plate. Then was a rehabilitation period but all was improving much faster then.
-Did you have a psychological barrier?
-Yes I had. It was hardest of all. All kind of thoughts… But many told me that the legs not to be broken twice in the same place. I got over it gradually.
-At Junior Worlds 2013 you beat Shoma Uno. This season Shoma went to GP Final. If it was not for your injury do you think you would have skated now at his level.
-Hard to say. I think the break from competing was bound to happen. If not then maybe later. So that I could take a break mentally, let all the thoughts go and started afresh like from basic skating, all sigle jumps, doubles and so on.
-That’s why you started on a quad with a delay
-Maybe. I could already do a quad in August 2014 both in practice & competition
-A Chinese Jin Boyang too was at that Junior Worlds 2013. And now he stunned everyone with his quads. How he can do that?
-Hard to say really. Chinese are very reserved people. Generally it is realistic to do 4Lz, and 4Sal with 4T too. But to put together four quads in the long program? First of all it is mentally very hard. It is a barrier you need to overcome.
-While doing a jump have you got a sensation of flying?
-When I was learning a 3A and a quad I had very unusual sensations. There are only just seconds when you are in the air but it feels much longer.
-Can you manage to think of anything in the air
-I am trying not to. Thinking is confusing. Jumps ought to be like from a conveyor belt in the factory
-Do you work with a psychologist?
-Yes, I do, mainly before the competitions. He tells me how to get ready what to think what not to think. But mainly it is down to you.
 
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Crossover

All Hail the Queen
Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 31, 2014
Mika is modest in speech. I can see how considerate and smart the young man is in the interview. He tried to stay being always positive, so that the rehabilitation went well for his mentality and physical condition. I think his basic skating skills are really good and his admiration towards Patrick Chan makes him push to develop his SS harder. His idols, Yagudin and Plushenko also may inspire him to be one like them in future. At the same time, he wants to keep and develop his own style, not forgetting his identity. More I see his interview, More I get to like him. Thanks for the interview and translation, silverfoxes and Tutto!
 
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Tutto

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
New interview with Mikhail by Andrei Simonenko:

http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/872471

Part 2 translation:

-What did you do while recovering from the injury?
-Nothing really, was watching a lot of figure skating cheering for our skaters.
-Thus didn’t consider looking at another profession?
-No, and there was not much time
-Maxim Kovtun said recently that he is not such fanatic of fs that not to see anything else in life
-I agree. Everybody needs a rest. Training is training but you need to switch off sometime.
-What’s your diversion?
-I don’t have any hobby but sometimes play snooker or table tennis, very rarely – bowling
-It is said that people who live in Sochi do not swim in the sea. Following the same logic the natives of St Petersburg do not visit the museums.
-Yes, it is true (laughing). But I do love St Petersburg. Everything. The people, the beauty of it, even wet weather I like probably because I was born here.
-Fedor Klimov who grew up in St Petersburg only just now is beginning to get used to Moscow
- I think I won’t be able to live anywhere else. My family is in St Petersburg and only here I feel at home
- Did you expect that your breakthrough would happen this season?
-I did expect something like that but what really happened has been beyond my expectations. While I was lying there recovering from the injury I was all the time visualising myself on the ice competing. And probably I got prepared myself mentally
-What’s you next goal? To catch up with Yazuru Hanyu or something more realistic?
-You need to aspire. At the moment Hanyu is the best, the way he jumps, spins, to put elements together in the program. It is really very hard. Not many are able to do that.
-He didn’t do very well in the Nationals
-Well, not every time. There were so many clean skates. Before that at his first GP event he hadn’t skated great either
- Kovtun said that it is important for him to have a goal not just to skate clean but for example a goal of landing 5 quads
-My goal is to skate clean programs. Though not with five or six quads but I aim to get all the elements done well so I would get good points for those. And to perform in such way that my programs would be interesting, that not only I had a fire in my eyes but the judges and audience as well. So to do the technical and to add a bit of the theatre too
-Do you like to watch your own performances afterwards?
-Sometimes it is interesting. When I watch the video I recall my emotions, feelings and can see what was done well what not. I can’t watch fs as a spectator without counting spin rotations and thinking how many points it’d earn.
-You can’t relax so
-Only when I watch ice dance – I don’t understand what they are doing and thus simply enjoy the beauty of it.
 
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Sweet Dream

Final Flight
Joined
Nov 16, 2014
-You can’t relax so
-Only when I watch ice dance – I don’t understand what they are doing and thus simply enjoy the beauty of it.
:laugh: Mika is such a frank guy! I remember that Mishin once said that ice dancing should be excluded from the figure skating sport. :laugh:
 

Perdita

Final Flight
Joined
Dec 15, 2014
Again, thank you so much Tutto!
I completely agree with Crossover... his interviews always make me like him even more. I love the way he talks about St. Petersburg.

My goal is to skate clean programs. Though not with five or six quads but I aim to get all the elements done well so I would get good points for those. And to perform in such way that my programs would be interesting, that not only I had a fire in my eyes but the judges and audience as well. So to do the technical and to add a bit of the theatre too

I think it describes exactly what his skating is about... to me it's about the pure quality of elements combined with passion and theatricality.

Tutto, would you mind if I translate your translation into Japanese and post them through my twitter account?

BTW, this is my twitter account (in Japanese) and one of the recent most popular tweets was the one I said Mika and Arshavin (the football player mentioned above) somewhat looks alike :laugh: Wonder that's what Simonenko had in mind when he asked that.
https://twitter.com/ljes33/status/684553499992928256
 
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