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Tatyana Totmyanina

by Alina from Murom

Tatyana Totmyanina (ttp://www.epsilon.ru/search/?lang=en&alphaFilter=210)
Tatyana Totmyanina (ttp://www.epsilon.ru/search/?lang=en&alphaFilter=210)

My hero is Tatyana Totmyanina, a brilliant Russian figure skater, because she is a courageous and strong person. She is a world-class figure skater. She is the two-time world champion (2004, 2005), four-time European champion (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005) and Olympic champion (2006).

In spite of the fact that she sustained a lot of injuries, she continued skating. She is a very talented and persistent figure skater.

Tatyana Totmyanina was born on November 2, 1981 in Perm, Russia. She graduated from St. Petersburg Academy of Physical Culture after Lesgaft. She lived there with her mother.

Tatyana started skating when she was 4 years old in order to improve her health. At first she did Ladies singles. Then at the Russian Championship in 1995 she met Maxim Marinin, who became her partner later on. Since 1996 they have trained with Natalia Pavlova in the palace of sport «Jubilee» in St. Petersburg.

Tatyana Totmyanina is dancing with her partner M. (ttp://www.epsilon.ru/search/?lang=en&alphaFilter=210)
Tatyana Totmyanina is dancing with her partner M. (ttp://www.epsilon.ru/search/?lang=en&alphaFilter=210)

There were two events which changed her life. In October 2004 at the stage of Champions series Grand Pris «Skate America» Tatyana was hospitalized with a brain concussion after a bad fall from a one-handed lift. But in spite of the trauma, two weeks later Tatyana went onto the ice, to continue preparing for the competitions. In this season, the pair won the championship and the World Cup again.

Another event which changed her life was on January 22, 2010. Tatyana’s mother died in a car crash. It was a great blow for her as Tatyana loved her mother very much. They were very close. She was the only dear person for Tatyana. After her mother’s death Tatyana felt very lonely.

These two events have made Tatyana stronger, more courageous and confident. Tatyana is a good example to follow. Learning her life story, I see that a man should never give up. I learned to be stronger, more confident.

I think Tatyana Totmyanina is a hero because in spite of all the difficulties, she managed to be happy and made great strides in sport.

Recently, she gave birth to a daughter of the Olympic champion Alexei Yagudin and continues to work hard in sport.

I am sincerely glad for her and I am glad for each of her new victories.

Page created on 5/13/2010 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 5/13/2010 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

Related Links

The St. Petersburg Times - For the story of Tatyana's skating accident.