Elena Radionova
Native nameЕлена Игоревна Радионова
FullnameElena Igorevna Radionova
AltnameYelena Igorevna Radionova
CountryRussia
Birth date6 January 1999 (age 27)
Birth placeMoscow, Russia
HometownMoscow, Russia
Height1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Skating clubCSKA Moscow
Beganskating2002
Retired22 September 2020
Show-medalsyes

Elena Igorevna Radionova (Russian: Елена Игоревна Радионова; born 6 January 1999) is a Russian retired competitive figure skater. She is the 2015 World bronze medalist, a two-time (2015–2016) European silver medalist, a two-time Grand Prix Final medalist, 2017 Winter Universiade champion and the 2015 Russian national champion. On the junior level, she is the first ladies skater to win two World Junior titles (2013 and 2014) and she won the 2012–13 JGP Final as well.

Personal life

Radionova was born on 6 January 1999 in Moscow, Russia.[1] She is the only child in her family.[2] Her interests include writing lyrics, ballet, modern dancing, and singing. She married football player Konstantin Kuchaev on 5 June 2023.[3]

Career

Radionova's father introduced her to skating when she was three years and nine months old,[4] seeking to align her club foot.[5][6] Since the age of four, she has been coached by Inna Goncharenko at CSKA Moscow.[6] Her figure skating role models are Yuna Kim, Mao Asada, and Carolina Kostner.[7]

Early career

In the 2010–11 season, Radionova finished 4th at the 2011 Russian Junior Championships. She won the Zhuk Memorial kids' competition.

In the 2011–12 season, Radionova appeared at her first senior Russian Championships, finishing 5th, and went on to win the bronze medal at the Russian Junior Championships that same season. Not yet age-eligible for junior ISU events, Radionova competed in the novice event at the 2012 Triglav Trophy, winning the gold medal.

2012–13 season: Junior international debut

In the 2012–13 season, Radionova made her ISU Junior Grand Prix debut and won her events in France and Austria. She qualified for the JGP Final in Sochi, where she won the gold medal, finishing more than eleven points ahead of silver medalist, Hannah Miller, from the United States.[8][9]

At the 2013 Russian Championships, Radionova won the silver medal in the senior event ahead of defending champion Adelina Sotnikova and then took the junior title. Radionova placed fifth in the short program and first in the free skate at the 2013 World Junior Championships in Milan, Italy. She was awarded the gold medal while defending champion Yulia Lipnitskaya took silver and Anna Pogorilaya the bronze — resulting in a Russian sweep of the podium. Radionova then won the gold medal in the junior event at the 2013 Triglav Trophy.

2013–14 season: Senior international debut

In an interview before the 2013–14 season, Radionova said: "I don't think that I am such a great athlete that won a lot. I just won the smallest one, Junior Worlds. In reality, there are competitions that are much more serious and more difficult. I don't feel any pressure yet. I just think I have to work harder and more, because there is no limit to perfection."[10]

Radionova made her senior international debut at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy. Placing first in both programs, she won the gold medal by a margin of more than 25 points over two-time world champion Miki Ando from Japan. The 2013 Skate America was Radionova's first senior Grand Prix event. She was awarded the bronze medal at Skate America and then silver at the 2013 NHK Trophy, while gold at both events went to Japan's Mao Asada, whose skating Radionova admires.[11] Radionova's results qualified her to her first Grand Prix Final. At the event in Fukuoka, Japan, she finished fourth overall.

Radionova won the bronze medal at the 2014 Russian Championships after placing third in both the short and long program. Though an injury caused her to miss the Russian junior nationals, she was later added to the Russian team for the 2014 World Junior Championships.[12] At the event, Radionova became the first ladies' single skater to repeat as World Junior champion. Scoring 66.90 points in the short program, 127.39 in the free skate, and 194.29 for the combined total, she broke junior-level ladies' records previously held by Mirai Nagasu and Yulia Lipnitskaya.[13] Radionova, Serafima Sakhanovich, and Evgenia Medvedeva produced Russia's second consecutive sweep of the World Junior ladies' podium. During the off-season, Radionova performed in various Russian cities with Show of the Champions and in Korea with Igor Bobrin's Theatre on Ice.[14]

2014–15 season: World bronze medal

Radionova made her season debut at the 2014 Japan Open where she placed first in the ladies' free skate and helped Team Europe win the gold medal. Her Grand Prix assignments were the 2014 Skate America and 2014 Trophée Éric Bompard.[15] At Skate America, Radionova ranked second in the short program, first in the free skate, and won the gold medal by a margin of 5.85 points over compatriot Elizaveta Tuktamysheva. At the Trophée Bompard, Radionova won the gold medal and set personal best scores.[16] She scored a total of 203.92 points, making her the first ladies' singles skater to score over 200 points this season.[17] The results qualified Radionova for the 2014–15 Grand Prix Final. Although a fever prior to the event reduced her training time,[18] she took the silver medal in Barcelona, finishing behind teammate Elizaveta Tuktamysheva. At the 2015 Russian Championships, she was first in both segments and won her first national title. Radionova was the silver medalist at the 2015 European Championships where she placed 1st in the short program and second in the free skate. During the 2015 World Championships, she stated that she was feeling ill and weak, having picked up a virus, but would compete anyway.[19] Ranked second in the short program and sixth in the free skate, Radionova won the bronze medal in her world debut. She concluded her season at the 2015 World Team Trophy, placing third in the short program and second in the free skate. Both Radionova's and Tuktamysheva's efforts would aid team Russia to earn a silver medal.

2015–16 season

Radionova intended to begin her season at the 2015 Finlandia Trophy but withdrew due to health problems.[20] Although she was not fully recovered from a high fever and virus, she insisted on competing at her first Grand Prix event of the season, the 2015 Cup of China; she won the bronze medal behind Mao Asada and Rika Hongo. At the 2015 Rostelecom Cup, held in late November in Moscow, she won the gold medal ahead of teammates Evgenia Medvedeva and Adelina Sotnikova. It was Russia's first sweep of a Grand Prix ladies' podium since the 1999 Cup of Russia. With this victory, Radionova was once the only competitor who had defeated Evgenia Medvedeva since her arrival in the senior level until Alina Zagitova in 2018.

Radionova qualified for the 2015–16 Grand Prix Final, held in December in Barcelona. She won the bronze medal in Spain, having ranked second in the short and fourth in the free skate after falling from her triple loop, a scratchy triple lutz and two footing her last toe loop combination. Later that month, she won the silver medal behind Medvedeva at the 2016 Russian Championships, having placed second in both segments.[21]

On 27 to 30 January, Radionova competed at the 2016 European Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia. She repeated as the European silver medalist while her teammates completed the podium, with Medvedeva winning the gold and Anna Pogorilaya taking the bronze.[22] In April, she finished sixth at the 2016 World Championships in Boston after placing fifth in both segments. Radionova was then invited to the 2016 Team Challenge Cup where she finished 7th in the short after singling her axel but moved up to 5th in the free. Team Europe eventually finished in second place with Radionova taking a Team silver medal and prize money.

2016–17 season

Radionova's Grand Prix assignments for the 2016–17 season, her first event was at the 2016 Rostelecom Cup where she finished second in both the short and free skating, winning the silver medal overall behind teammate Anna Pogorilaya. Then in her next event at the 2016 Cup of China, Radionova finished second at the short program and won the free skating, winning the gold medal with a total of 205.90 points qualifying to her fourth consecutive Grand Prix Final, to be held in December in Marseille, France.

Radionova participated in the 2017 Winter Universiade in Almaty, Kazakhstan from 1 to 5 February. She finished first in both the short and the long programs, with a total of 196.61 points earning her the gold medal.[23]

On 28 April 2017, it was reported that Radionova would train under Elena Buianova under the same club in CSKA. Her split with her former coach Goncharenko was amicable.[24][23]

2017–18 season

Radionova finished 4th at the 2017 Rostelecom Cup and took bronze at the 2017 Cup of China. She finished a disappointing 10th place at the 2018 Russian Figure Skating Championships.

2018–19 season and onward

Radionova withdrew from the 2018 Skate America and 2018 NHK Trophy due to a back injury.

On 22 September 2020, she announced her retirement from competition.[25][26]

Records and achievements

List of Radionova's junior world record scores

Junior ladies' combined total records[13]
DateScoreEventNote
16 March 2014194.292014 World Junior ChampionshipsRadionova became the first junior lady to score above 190 points.
The record was broken by Polina Tsurskaya on 13 December 2015.
Junior ladies' short program records[13]
DateScoreEventNote
15 March 201466.902014 World Junior ChampionshipsThe record was broken by Evgenia Medvedeva on 13 December 2014.
Radionova broke Mirai Nagasu's junior record which had lasted since 1 March 2008.
Junior ladies' free skating records[13]
DateScoreEventNote
16 March 2014127.392014 World Junior ChampionshipsThe record was broken by Polina Tsurskaya on 13 December 2015.

Endorsements

Radionova signed a sponsorship deal with American skating boots manufacturer Riedell Skates.[27]

Programs

SeasonShort programFree skatingExhibition
2020-2021Did not compete this season
  • It Doesn't Hurt performed by Katie Thompson[28]
2019-2020Did not compete this season
  • Sometimes performed live by Diana Makina[31]
  • It Doesn't Hurt performed by Katie Thompson[34]
2018–2019
  • Sometimes
  • It Doesn't Hurt[35]
    by Katie Thompson
2017–2018
[36]
  • It Doesn't Hurt[35]
    by Katie Thompson
2016–2017
[37]
2015–2016
[38][39][40]
  • Imagine
    performed by Emeli Sandé
2014–2015
[41][42]
  • Piano Concerto No. 3
  • Trio Elegiaque No. 2
    by Sergei Rachmaninoff
    choreo. by Ilia Averbukh, Elena Maslennikova
  • I Will Always Love You
    by Whitney Houston
2013–2014
[10][43]
  • Spanish Swat
  • Frida
    (from Have You Met Miss Bates?)
    by Rope
    choreo. by Ilia Averbukh, Elena Maslennikova
  • Zombie Dance
    choreo. by Elena Maslennikova[41]
2012–2013
[2][44]
2011–2012
  • Pulmón
    by Bajofondo
  • Sentimientos
    by Andres Linetzky, Ernesto Romeo
2010–2011
  • The Blue Kerchief
    composed by Jerzy Petersburski
    performed by Jozsef Lendvay
  • Dorogoi dlinnoyu
    composed by Boris Fomin
2009–2010
2008–2009unknown

Competitive highlights

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

International[45]
Event10–1111–1212–1313–1414–1515–1616–1717–1818–19
Worlds3rd6th
Europeans2nd2nd
GP Final4th2nd3rd6th
GP Cup of China3rd1st3rd
GP France1st
GP NHK Trophy2ndWD
GP Rostelecom Cup1st2nd4th
GP Skate America3rd1stWD
CS Ondrej Nepela3rd
Nebelhorn Trophy1st
Shanghai Trophy1st
Winter Universiade1st
International: Junior[45]
Junior Worlds1st1st
JGP Final1st
JGP Austria1st
JGP France1st
Triglav Trophy1st N1st J
National[46]
Russian Champ.5th2nd3rd1st2nd5th10thWD
Russian Junior Champ.4th3rd1st
Team events
World Team
Trophy		2nd T
2nd P		2nd T
5th P
Team Challenge
Cup		2nd T
5th P
Japan Open1st T
1st P
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew
Levels: N = Novice; J = Junior
T = Team result; P = Personal result. Medals awarded for team result only.

Detailed results

Senior level

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. At team events, medals awarded for team results only.

2017–18 season
DateEventSPFSTotal
21–24 December 20172018 Russian Championships13
66.16		9
130.62		10
196.78
24–26 November 20172017 Shanghai Trophy–1
131.06		1
131.06
3–5 November 20172017 Cup of China3
70.48		4
136.34		3
206.82
20–22 October 20172017 Rostelecom Cup5
68.75		4
126.77		4
195.52
21–23 September 20172017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy3
64.42		4
117.79		3
182.21
2016–17 season
DateEventSPFSTotal
20–23 April 20172017 World Team Trophy2
72.21		5
137.08		2T/5P
209.29
1–5 February 20172017 Winter Universiade1
69.02		1
127.59		1
196.61
20–26 December 20162017 Russian Championships5
70.19		5
139.05		5
209.24
8–11 December 20162016–17 Grand Prix Final5
68.98		6
119.83		6
188.81
18–20 November 20162016 Cup of China2
70.75		1
135.15		1
205.90
4–6 November 20162016 Rostelecom Cup2
71.93		2
123.67		2
195.60
2015–16 season
DateEventSPFSTotal
22–24 April 20162016 Team Challenge Cup7
61.36		5
133.31		2
28 March – 3 April 20162016 World Championships5
71.70		5
138.11		6
209.81
26–31 January 20162016 European Championships2
70.96		2
139.03		2
209.99
24–27 December 20152016 Russian Championships2
76.69		2
145.88		2
222.57
10–13 December 20152015–16 Grand Prix Final2
69.43		4
131.70		3
201.13
20–22 November 20152015 Rostelecom Cup1
71.79		2
139.53		1
211.32
6–8 November 20152015 Cup of China6
58.51		2
125.77		3
184.28
2014–15 season
DateEventSPFSTotal
15–19 April 20152015 World Team Trophy3
68.77		2
129.73		2
198.50
23–29 March 20152015 World Championships2
69.51		6
121.96		3
191.47
26 Jan. – 1 Feb. 20152015 European Championships1
70.46		2
139.08		2
209.54
24–28 December 20142015 Russian Championships1
74.13		1
143.32		1
217.45
11–14 December 20142014–15 Grand Prix Final3
63.89		2
134.85		2
198.74
21–23 November 20142014 Trophée Éric Bompard1
67.28		1
136.64		1
203.92
24–26 October 20142014 Skate America2
65.57		1
129.90		1
195.47
2–4 October 20142014 Japan Open–1
136.46		1
2013–14 season
DateEventSPFSTotal
25–26 December 20132014 Russian Championships3
67.76		3
134.25		3
202.01
5–8 December 20132013–14 Grand Prix Final5
64.38		4
118.64		4
183.02
8–10 November 20132013 NHK Trophy3
62.83		2
128.98		2
191.81
19–20 October 20132013 Skate America3
67.01		4
116.94		3
183.95
26–28 September 20132013 Nebelhorn Trophy1
64.69		1
123.52		1
188.21

Junior level

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. Previous ISU world best highlighted in bold.

2013–14 season
DateEventLevelSPFSTotal
10–16 March 20142014 World Junior ChampionshipsJunior1
66.90		1
127.39		1
194.29
2012–13 season
DateEventLevelSPFSTotal
29–31 March 20132013 Triglav TrophyJunior1
62.34		1
110.43		1
172.77
1–2 March 20132013 World Junior ChampionshipsJunior5
53.48		1
116.23		1
169.71
2–3 February 20132013 Russian Junior ChampionshipsJunior1
68.45		1
131.74		1
200.19
25–28 December 20122013 Russian ChampionshipsSenior3
64.58		2
126.68		2
191.26
6–9 December 20122012–13 Junior Grand Prix FinalJunior1
60.90		1
118.50		1
179.40
13–15 September 20122012 JGP AustriaJunior1
62.71		1
120.15		1
182.86
23–24 August 20122012 JGP FranceJunior1
61.15		1
116.64		1
177.79
2011–12 season
DateEventLevelSPFSTotal
5–7 April 20122012 Triglav TrophyNovice1
47.27		1
88.91		1
136.18
5–7 February 20122012 Russian Junior ChampionshipsJunior4
57.19		2
121.75		3
178.94
26–27 December 20112012 Russian ChampionshipsSenior6
59.10		6
115.71		5
174.81
2010–11 season
DateEventLevelSPFSTotal
2–4 February 20112011 Russian Junior ChampionshipsJunior5
54.75		4
104.22		4
158.97
24–25 April 2010Rostelecom Crystal SkateNovice1
49.08		1
90.54		1
139.62

References

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  3. ^ "Elena Radionova". icenetwork. 2015. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
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  5. ^ Luchianov, Vladislav (27 August 2013). "Radionova ready to make jump to senior level". IceNetwork. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  6. ^ Flade, Tatjana (16 December 2012). "Elena Radionova sets high goals". Golden Skate
  7. ^ "Елена Радионова: В этом году мне еще в школе нужно сдать экзамен". Stadium. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  8. ^ Kondakova, Anna (9 December 2012). "Radionova wins Ladies title at Junior Grand Prix Final". GoldenSkate
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  19. ^ Johnston, Patrick. "Tuktamysheva eases to gold in Shanghai". Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016.
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  22. ^ Colpart, Sabine (29 January 2016). "Medvedeva leads Russian sweep at European figure skating championships". Yahoo Sports
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  26. ^ Radionova, Elena (22 September 2020). "Сейчас я наконец готова сказать то, что так долго не решалась." [Now I am finally ready to say what I have not dared to say for so long.] (Instagram) (in Russian). Archived 2021-12-24 at the Wayback Machine.
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! colspan="3" style="border-top: 5px solid #78FF78;" |Historical World Junior Record Holders (before season 2018–19)