Evgenia Armanovna Medvedeva (Russian: Евгения Армановна Медведева; born November 19, 1999) is a Russian former competitive figure skater. She is a two-time Olympic silver medalist (2018 individual and team events), a two-time World Champion (2016, 2017), a two-time European Champion (2016, 2017), a two-time Grand Prix Final champion (2015, 2016), and a two-time Russian national champion (2016, 2017). Medvedeva was one of the most dominant figure skaters of her generation, renowned for her consistent technical execution, intricate transitions, and profound artistry.
Early Life and Junior Career
Medvedeva was born in Moscow, Russia. Her mother, Lubov Medvedeva, is a former figure skater. She began skating at the age of three in 2002. From 2008, she trained under coach Eteri Tutberidze at the Sambo 70 (Khrustalny) school in Moscow.Medvedeva quickly rose through the junior ranks. She made her international debut in the 2013–14 season, earning a silver medal at the 2013 Junior Grand Prix Final and a bronze medal at the 2014 World Junior Championships. In the 2014–15 season, she secured the Junior Grand Prix Final title before becoming the 2015 World Junior Champion, marking her as a top talent poised for senior success.
Senior Career
2015–2017: Unprecedented Dominance and World Records Medvedeva made her senior international debut in the 2015–16 season. She swiftly established herself as a formidable competitor, winning both of her Grand Prix assignments (Skate America and Rostelecom Cup) before claiming her first senior Grand Prix Final title in Barcelona. She then went on to win the 2016 Russian National Championships, followed by her first European Championship title in Bratislava. She culminated her season by winning the 2016 World Championships in Boston, becoming the first woman to win the World Junior and Senior titles consecutively.The 2016–17 season saw Medvedeva continue her unparalleled dominance. She successfully defended all of her major titles, winning the Grand Prix Final, European Championships, and World Championships for the second consecutive time. At the 2017 World Championships in Helsinki, she broke her own world records in the short program (80.85 points) and free skating (154.40 points), setting a new combined total world record of 233.41 points. She was the first woman to break the 80-point barrier in the short program and the 160-point barrier in the free skate.
2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and Coaching Change Medvedeva entered the 2017–18 Olympic season as a strong favorite for gold. However, a foot injury sustained in late 2017 impacted her preparation. She competed at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, where she delivered two strong performances. Despite setting a new world record in the short program (81.06 points), she ultimately earned two silver medals: one in the individual ladies' event, finishing second to her training partner Alina Zagitova, and another in the team event as part of the Olympic Athletes from Russia team.
Following the Olympic season, Medvedeva made the significant decision to relocate to Toronto, Canada, to train under renowned coach Brian Orser.
Post-Olympic Career and Return to Russia Under Orser, Medvedeva's skating style evolved, with a focus on enhancing her transitions and artistic interpretation. She won a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships, showcasing resilience and adaptability. Her 2019–20 season was affected by injuries, leading to withdrawals from several competitions.
In September 2020, Medvedeva announced her return to train with her long-time former coach Eteri Tutberidze in Moscow, citing health reasons and the challenges of international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, persistent back injuries continued to limit her competitive appearances. She officially withdrew from the 2020–21 Russian Championships and subsequent events.
Post-Competition Career
While Evgenia Medvedeva has not formally announced her retirement from competitive skating, she has not competed since the 2019–20 season due to chronic back injuries. She has since transitioned into a career in show skating, media appearances, and commentary. She has participated in various ice shows, notably "Ice Age" (Ледниковый период) on Russian television, and has become a prominent public figure.Notable Achievements
- Olympic Silver Medalist (2018 – individual, team)
- World Champion (2016, 2017)
- European Champion (2016, 2017)
- Grand Prix Final Champion (2015, 2016)
- Russian National Champion (2016, 2017)
- World Junior Champion (2015)