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This interview is actually a part of the transcript for the TV Show “Penalty”. Gennady Orlov, the show’s host, asked all questions. Originally from www.nevasport.ru
Q: Zhenya, how did it happen that you lost Grand Prix Final? The winner is losing to you in many components. Evgeni: First of all, I would like to thank you for inviting me to this wonderful show. I placed second because of my own mistake. I didn’t learn the new system completely, the new rules. With old system, you can do three combinations, and with the new one – only two. My position is that the figure skating needs to move ahead. I was moving forward and did a little too much… Q: And judges punished you… Did the judges make the right decision accepting this system and limiting improvisation? Evgeni: I have to say that the system will be changing and will be getting some corrections. I will also write a letter to the ISU since I feel that the sport should move ahead instead of standing still. You have to do more combinations, jumps, make footwork sequences more difficult. Q: I think you were the fist one to start jumping quads. Evgeni: Urmanov and Stojko tried to do it before me. I did the quad in the very early age when I was only 14. Q: What did you feel when you moved to St. Petersburg? Evgeni: It was nice to be here but I was a little scared: huge space, getting to places by subway. I liked to walk around St. Petersburg and just watch the life. I love my city a lot; I miss it when I go away for competitions or shows. Yes, we don’t have enough sun, the weather is not too good, but I’m used to it now. I love to walk in the parks; I love to go to the suburbs. This is my city. Q: Your memory lapse cost you $10K in the Grand Prix Final. When you compete at Worlds, you are not paid there, and only our Russian federation awards the best. Does it make a difference for you - the prize money at the events? Evgeni: There is a ton of commercial events where you can earn money. Worlds, Europeans, and Olympics are where you compete for the title first of all, not for the money. I am an athlete and I want to be the first. Q: I admire coaching talent of Alexei Mishin. Does he charm you as a person? Which of his qualities do you like? Evgeni: When I came to St. Petersburg at 11, we got along immediately. Now we are the best friends, we understand each other very well. No doubt, he has a great sense of humor. He is kind, honest, and very smart. Q: I’ve heard your knee is injured and you need a surgery. Evgeni: What happened was I went to Japan this year, the ice was bad, and I twisted my knee. When I came home, I started to play tennis for 4-5 hours a day, and that put some pressure on the knee. I saw many doctors, and everyone was saying different things: a ligament, a sprain knee, a torn ligament, but nobody diagnosed me. Recently I was in America and met a very good doctor who specializes in joints and he said I need surgery. That could still be tolerable. We will definitely be having surgery, but it’ll be in the summer, after the Worlds. I want to skate that season to the end, and I think this season is turning out to be excellent. Q: Zhenya, it is always interesting to read about you in the papers. “Soviet Sport” wrote about you meeting some girl who won a contest. Do you know anything about it? Evgeni: Twenty-one girls participated in the contest. I am very glad that people love figure skating. Our sport’s popularity jumped lately. Q: The most expressive fans are in Japan, right? Evgeni: The biggest fans are probably in Russia now. Yes, the Japanese organized Plushenko’s fan group and follow me around the World. There are similar groups in Canada and Germany. They give me gifts, many of them expensive – chains, rings. When I recently performed in Colorado Springs, a woman came there – for two months she was knitting and embroidering a blanket for me. Q: So, you mom uses it already. By the way, do you parents live in St. Petersburg? Evgeni: I moved everyone from Volgograd. We know live with mom and dad in the three-room apartment, my sister also came with her husband and child. I resent bought a house in suburbs. Q: Please tell me whose idea it was, your Sex Bomb program? Is that Bond or Bomb? It was a great idea. Evgeni: The Bomb. David Avdysh had this idea, he is a great guy. I made it alive in 2001 when I won Worlds for the first time. That was something. The audience was on their feet after I skated, all 18 thousands people clapping, screaming, shrieking. I performed that program 90 times. Q: Zhenya what do you think about awarding second gold medal in pair skating at the Olympics? Evgeni: I think everyone was shocked. Of course, it’s not right. There is only one first place and it can’t be divided. Q: Same place, SLC – that’s where the little tragedy happened for you even though many dream to be second at Olympics. It is considered that you lost Olympics to Yagudin. When you see him, do you say hello? Evgeni: We have a normal relationship. When we were competing, it looked like there were two divided camps, there were rumors that we are fighting and arguing, and talk bad about each other. No, there was nothing like that. We socialize normally. We play pools, darts, and hockey when we are touring in America, and we played here in St. Petersburg. Q: We hope nothing bad happens, but what if Lesha Yagudin would say to you, “I need help.” Would you help? Evgeni: I would. I am a kind person. I always treat my friends well and I act normal towards Lesha Yagudin. He is a good athlete and a good person. Q: Zhenya, now the short questions that need some short answers. The last book you’ve read… Evgeni: I don’t remember. Q: The last movie that got into your soul… Evgeni: “Anti-killer” Q: Which music do you like? Evgeni: I only listen to the music in my car. Different radio stations. Q: Favorite colors… Evgeni: White, dark tones. Q: Favorite food Evgeni: Probably Japanese. And my mom’s. I love borsch, mom’s meat ravioli, chicken, potatoes. I am not picky. Q: What drinks do you like? Evgeni: I love carrot juice, apple juice, tomato, orange… Q: What car do you have now? Evgeni: I have two – Toyota and Mercedes Q: Do you feel that car is the luxury or a mean of the transportation? Evgeni: Mean of the transportation. Q: Can you say about yourself that you are not poor? Evgeni: Yes, I can say that. Q: How long can you keep skating? Evgeni: I can skate eligibly for about 8 more years. This is my life.
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