Mar 28, 2004
Aries
Moscow, Russia
21 years old
N/A
N/A
Figure Skater
Anna Shcherbakova: A Trailblazer in Figure Skating
Early Life and Background
Anna Stanislavovna Shcherbakova was born on March 28, 2004, in Moscow, Russia. Coming from an academically inclined family, her father, Stanislav, is a physicist and programmer, while her mother, Yulia, is a geologist-crystallographer. She has two sisters, Inna and Yana. Anna began skating at the age of three, inspired by her older sister Inna, who also took up the sport. Her early training was under the guidance of Oksana Bulycheva before she joined the renowned Sambo 70 club in 2013, training under Eteri Tutberidze, Sergei Dudakov, and choreographer Daniil Gleikhengauz.
Rise to Prominence
Anna's ascent in figure skating was marked by groundbreaking achievements. She became the first female skater to land a quadruple Lutz in senior competition and the first to execute two quad Lutz jumps in a single program. Additionally, she was the first woman to land a quad flip in combination with a triple jump and to perform two quad flips in one program.
Competitive Achievements
2019–2021: Three-time Russian National Champion.
2019: Silver medalist at the Grand Prix Final.
2020: European silver medalist.
2021: World Champion.
2022: Olympic gold medalist in women's singles at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Challenges and Resilience
In 2022, Anna underwent knee surgery for a torn meniscus. Following her recovery, she chose not to return immediately to competitive skating, instead focusing on other endeavors.
Off-Ice Activities
Beyond the rink, Anna has been active in various roles:
Television: Co-hosted the ninth season of "Ice Age" on Channel One alongside Olympic champions Alexei Yagudin and Alina Zagitova.
Brand Ambassador: Became the Russian face of Chinese electronics brand TCL in June 2023.
International Engagements: Participated in events in China, including performances organized by former Chinese skater Chen Lu and a Sino-Russian festival in January 2024.
Legacy
Anna Shcherbakova's combination of technical prowess and artistic expression has left an indelible mark on figure skating. Her pioneering jumps and consistent performances have set new standards in the sport. As she continues to inspire aspiring skaters worldwide, her contributions both on and off the ice solidify her status as a true icon in figure skating.
