Sikharulidze compared Russian figure skaters with Malinin representing the USA

CHELYABINSK, December 20, Andrey Simonenko. Acting Head of the Federation Figure Skating of Russia (FFKKR) Anton Sikharulidze believes that in a couple of years Russian athletes will be able to compete with the best singles skaters in the world.
Russians and Belarusians have been suspended by the International Skating Union (ISU) from participating in international tournaments since March 2022. The ISU Council in June upheld this suspension, but decided to study ways to implement the decision of the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee, which in March 2023 recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes be allowed to participate in international competitions in a neutral status, subject to a number of conditions.
«»The fact that our girls — five or six — are competitive and can claim the title of world champion, I am sure of this. We are seeing progress in men's single skating, there are three or four athletes who have improved even this season. But at the international level there is an American Malinin, there are two Japanese who, with clean performances, can beat our guys, but the level is growing. We are confident that in a season or two our men will be competitive to beat these athletes,» Sikharulidze said at a press conference before the start Russian Championship.
«In pair skating, Russian skating is head and shoulders above the rest. And this is not one pair, but five or six pairs that compete with each other. Some perform unique elements, in particular, triple lutz. Some elements are generally unattainable for pairs. The overall level is off the charts. Any of five or six Russian couples, with favorable skating, become world champions. In ice dancing, we are concerned. We cannot say that we see progress. Every day we discuss how to correct the situation, how to stimulate the development of dances in both children and young people, as well as adult athletes. One of the incentives is healthy competition. But we cannot say that we are world leaders in dancing,» added the Olympic champion.