Figure skater Maria Petrova is a famous Russian athlete, a participant in many international competitions and a gold medalist. One of the most successful skaters in post-Soviet Russia.
Childhood and youth
The girl was born in the Soviet Union in 1977. As a child, she was rather frail and painful, as a result of which her parents decided that she should be sent to the sports section so that the girl could strengthen her body. Taking into account physiological characteristics, figure skating was preferred . She began to engage in this sport at the age of seven.
At first, she trained just to be strong and healthy, and did not think about a professional career. But once the child is noticed by sports trainers and will be offered to work out already in the sports section with an eye on competitions and performances. The girl will not refuse and will begin to work regularly. As it becomes clear later, the child had a real talent, and every time she proved it in training.
In 1991, the skater is paired with Anton Sikharulidze. The guys participate in all competitions that exist at the junior level. Despite their young age, they always take first or prize places.
Already in 1993, the couple went to the "adult" world championship. It is worth noting that Mary was then only fifteen years old. Young athletes performed well and managed to take eighth place. That is how the path of a great athlete named Maria Petrova began. The skater, whose photo and video performances invariably delight fans and fans, demonstrated real miracles on ice.
Main career period
In 1994, a couple of Sikharulidze and Petrova became a participant in the World and European Championships. They will again be far from the podium, but will be able to improve last year’s result. This time they will take sixth place.
A year later, the couple becomes fifth in Europe, fourth in Russia and wins silver at the Skate Canada International tournament. But this season will be the last for their joint performances. The next skater Maria Petrova starts in tandem with Teymuraz Pulin. They will ride together for only two years, but during this time they will win the Blue Swords tournament and win silver at the Winter Universiade and at the European Championship among juniors. Unfortunately, this duet will not win more significant awards.
Already in 1998, the girl begins to speak with Alexei Tikhonov, and this moment is truly a turning point in the life and career of an athlete.
Work with Tikhonov
In the first season, young people become champions of the continent, second in the championship of Russia, third in the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, second in Skate Canada International and first in the Bofrost Cup on Ice tournament. Together with Tikhonov, Maria Petrova (figure skater) will achieve a lot. Her biography distinguished by many memorable awards and achievements.
Season 1999-2000 will be one of the most successful in the career of both athletes. They win the gold of the world and Europe, again become the winners of the Bofrost Cup on Ice, take gold at the Russian Cup and at the NHK Trophy.
Next year they will win many different awards again, but will not be able to win a single gold medal. Surprisingly, the couple will be able to get gold only in the 2005-2006 season, and this will be her only such medal of the “adult” championships of Russia.
Unfortunately for the fans, and at the Olympics, the skater will not be able to win. Together with a partner, they will occupy only fifth place. Shortly before completing her career, Maria will win the gold of the Cup of China tournament, as well as the Trophée Eric Bompard gold medal.
In 2007, the athlete announced her retirement. At that time she was already thirty years old. It is worth noting that most skaters finish professionally performing at about twenty-five years old, and Petrova for many years has shown herself at the highest level. There is information that she was prompted to quit the sport by the injury of her sportsmate, and in many interviews the girl noted that she could have performed at the international level for several more years.
Figure skater Maria Petrova: personal life
People are surprised when they find out that the girl performed for nine years with one partner. This is really surprising, but there is one important point here - Maria and Alexei the couple. Surely the couple would not have existed for so long if there were no real and sincere feelings. Maria has repeatedly stated that it was thanks to the support of her husband that she was able to achieve everything that she has.
In 2010, a couple was born to the couple, who decided to call Polina.
Life outside of sports
The former athlete is a frequent guest on television. She took part in almost all projects related to ice skating. The girl repeatedly noted that she could not imagine her life without skating, and therefore she was trying to seize any opportunity to be on the ice again.
Skater Maria Petrova will forever go down in the history of Russia as one of the most powerful athletes. And it is worth noting separately that her married life is devoid of scandals and other unpleasant details, which in our time are almost the norm among famous people.