Margarita Bazylyuk Shines at the Panin-Kolomenkin Memorial
Thirteen-year-old figure skater Margarita Bazylyuk has emerged as a beacon of hope for Russian women's figure skating, showcasing her extraordinary talent at the Panin-Kolomenkin Memorial in St. Petersburg. Despite a rocky start in the short program, where she placed fourth after a misstep on a triple axel, Bazylyuk dazzled audiences in the free skate with a groundbreaking performance that included a triple axel and an impressive three quadruple jumps. Fans erupted in applause as she executed a second triple axel, solidifying her status as a rising star in the sport.
Bazylyuk's free skate earned her a remarkable score of 168.42 points, with a technical score of 101.94, marking the fourth highest in the history of women's figure skating. Overall, she accumulated 238.98 points, placing her fifth in the historical rankings. Her nearest competitor, Elizaveta Andreeva, lagged over ten points behind, underscoring Bazylyuk's dominance at the event.
In her post-performance remarks, Bazylyuk expressed her gratitude to her family and coaches, emphasizing her focus on executing her training rather than fixating on scores. “I don’t look at the numbers… It’s important for me to skate what I prepare in training, and then the judges themselves will decide what to put,” she stated. Her calm demeanor and dedication to her craft have captured the hearts of fans and experts alike.
The Future of Figure Skating: Bazylyuk's Potential
Margarita Bazylyuk's achievements are not just limited to the Panin-Kolomenkin Memorial. Last season, she clinched the junior national championship at just 12 years old, earning an impressive 245.19 points with a less complex set of jumps. Her performance at the Russian Jumping Championships, where she executed five quadruples, further showcased her exceptional talent and potential.
Experts are already drawing comparisons between Bazylyuk and established stars like Alexandra Ignatova, with many believing she may surpass them in the future. However, due to the increase in the age limit for adult competitions, fans will have to wait until 2028 to see her debut at that level. As the figure skating community holds its breath, there is hope that Bazylyuk will maintain her prowess through the challenges of adolescence.
While some critics have questioned the judging at the Panin-Kolomenkin Memorial, praising Bazylyuk's talent and dismissing the need for
