Daniil Gleikhengauz

1. Overview

Daniil Markovich Gleikhengauz (Даниил Маркович Глейхенгауз^Russian, born June 3, 1991) is a prominent Russian former figure skater who competed internationally in both single skating and ice dancing. Following his competitive career, Gleikhengauz transitioned into a highly influential role as a choreographer and coach, notably joining Eteri Tutberidze's esteemed team at Sambo-70 in Moscow. His artistic vision and innovative approach have been instrumental in shaping the programs of numerous top-tier skaters, contributing significantly to the modern landscape of Russian figure skating. This article details his journey from a competitive athlete to a pivotal figure behind some of the sport's most memorable performances.

2. Early Life and Skating Career

Daniil Gleikhengauz was born on June 3, 1991. His full name is Daniil Markovich Gleikhengauz, though his name was formerly romanized as Gleichengauz. He began his journey in figure skating as a competitive athlete, initially focusing on single skating before transitioning to ice dance.

3. Transition to Coaching and Choreography

Daniil Gleikhengauz's competitive skating career came to an end following the death of his father. This personal tragedy prompted his retirement from competition. After retiring, he initially joined Ilia Averbukh's ice show, gaining valuable experience in performance and artistic presentation outside of competitive arenas.

In 2014, Gleikhengauz made a pivotal transition into coaching and choreography. He joined the team of renowned coach Eteri Tutberidze at Sambo-70 in Moscow, a prominent sports school that was formerly known as SDUSSHOR 37. As a choreographer, he quickly became a key figure in Tutberidze's group, known for its rigorous training methods and technically demanding, yet artistically profound, programs. His work has significantly influenced the distinctive style that has become a hallmark of the Sambo-70 skaters, contributing to their widespread success on the international stage.

4. Major Choreographed Works

Daniil Gleikhengauz has choreographed programs for many of the world's leading figure skaters, particularly those training under Eteri Tutberidze. His notable works include:

• Sofia Akateva
• Nika Egadze
• Alexey Erokhov
• Maiia Khromykh
• Alena Kostornaia
• Morisi Kvitelashvili
• Evgenia Medvedeva
  • "Anna Karenina" (2017-2018 season)
  • "Moonlight Densetsu" (2016-2017 season)
• Anna Shcherbakova
• Evgenia Tarasova / Vladimir Morozov
• Alexandra Trusova
• Polina Tsurskaya
  • "Light of the Seven" (2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons)
  • "Albinoni's Adagio" (2015-2016 season)
• Elizabet Tursynbaeva
• Kamila Valieva
• Alina Zagitova
  • "Black Swan" and "Moonlight" (2017-2018 season)
  • "Don Quixote" (2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons)
  • "The Phantom of the Opera" (2018-2019 season)
  • "Carmen" (2018-2019 season)
• Ivan Righini
  • "Riverdance" (2017-2018 season)
• Ilya Skirda
  • "Once Upon a Time in America" (2016-2017 season)
• Adian Pitkeev
  • "Pain, Appassionata" (2015-2016 season)

5. Personal Life

Daniil Gleikhengauz's personal life has been marked by significant family events that influenced his career path. The death of his father prompted his retirement from competitive skating, leading him towards a career in coaching and choreography. His mother, Lyudmila Borisovna Shalashova, was a former ballet dancer and ballet teacher. She also worked closely with Eteri Tutberidze's team, contributing to the artistic development of the skaters, which provided a shared professional connection with her son. Sadly, Lyudmila Borisovna Shalashova passed away on August 29, 2019.

6. Competitive Highlights

Daniil Gleikhengauz competed in both ice dancing and men's singles throughout his career, achieving notable results at both national and international junior levels.