1. Overview
Evgenia Armanovna Medvedeva, also known as Yevgenia Medvedeva, is a highly decorated retired Russian figure skater. Born on November 19, 1999, in Moscow, she emerged as a dominant force in ladies' singles figure skating, especially during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons, achieving unprecedented success and setting numerous world records under the ISU Judging System.
Medvedeva is a two-time Olympic silver medalist from the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics (in both the ladies' singles and team events). Her impressive list of accolades includes two World Championship titles (2016, 2017), two European Championship titles (2016, 2017), and two Grand Prix Final victories (2015, 2016). She is also a two-time Russian national champion (2016, 2017) and earned a bronze medal at the 2019 World Figure Skating Championships. In her junior career, she was the 2015 World Junior Champion and the 2014 Junior Grand Prix Final champion.
Medvedeva holds the unique distinction of being the first ladies' singles skater to win senior World Championships the year after winning Junior Worlds. She further solidified her legacy by becoming the first female skater to win consecutive senior World titles in the year following her Junior World win, and the only Russian woman to successfully defend her world title. She is one of only four ladies to achieve a "Grand Slam" by winning all major competitions in a single season, and the first skater across all disciplines to complete two consecutive Grand Slams (2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons).
Throughout her career, Medvedeva set 13 world records under the ISU Judging System. She was the first female skater to surpass 80 points in the short program, 160 points in the free skating, and both 230 and 240 points in the combined total score. Known for her distinctive "Tano" and "Rippon" jump variations and strong mental fortitude, her career also saw significant transitions, including a high-profile coaching change from Eteri Tutberidze to Brian Orser in 2018, and later a return to Tutberidze. She announced her retirement from competitive skating in December 2021 due to a chronic back injury. Beyond the ice, Medvedeva is noted for her strong interest in Japanese culture, particularly anime, and has engaged in various endorsements and public appearances.
2. Early Life and Background
2.1. Birth and Family
Evgenia Armanovna Medvedeva was born on November 19, 1999, in Moscow, Russia. Her mother, Zhanna Medvedeva (née Devyatova), was a former Russian figure skater who retired from the sport at the age of 14. Her father, Arman Babasyan, is an Armenian businessman. Her parents are divorced. Both of her parents encouraged her to take up figure skating to improve her physical figure. She competes under the surname Medvedeva, which was the maiden name of her maternal grandmother, while her birth surname is Babasyan.
2.2. Education
In 2017, Medvedeva began her university studies at the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism. She later enrolled as a student at Moscow State University on September 1, 2021.
2.3. Early Skating Career
Medvedeva began ice skating at the age of three. Her first coaches were Elena Proskurina, Lubov Yakovleva, and Elena Selivanova. Around 2007, she joined Eteri Tutberidze's coaching group at the Olympic Reserve Sports School no. 37, which was later renamed Sambo 70.
She made her senior national debut at the 2012 Russian Figure Skating Championships, where she finished eighth. She then placed sixth at the junior level of the same competition. During the beginning of the following season, she sustained an injury that prevented her from qualifying for the senior Russian Nationals. At the 2013 Russian Junior Championships, she finished fourth, behind Maria Sotskova.
3. Competitive Career
Medvedeva's competitive career began in her early years, advancing through junior ranks to become a dominant figure in senior international competitions.
3.1. Junior Career
Medvedeva's international debut occurred during the 2013-2014 season on the 2013-14 ISU Junior Grand Prix series. She secured gold medals at events in Riga, Latvia, and Gdańsk, Poland. These victories qualified her for the Junior Grand Prix Final in Fukuoka, Japan, where she earned a bronze medal, contributing to a Russian sweep of the podium alongside Maria Sotskova and Serafima Sakhanovich. At the 2014 Russian Figure Skating Championships, she placed seventh in her second senior appearance and fourth at the junior level. Medvedeva was then assigned to replace the injured Sotskova at the 2014 World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. She placed third in both the short program and free skate segments, securing another bronze medal as Elena Radionova and Sakhanovich claimed gold and silver, marking Russia's second consecutive sweep of the World Junior ladies' podium.
In the 2014-15 ISU Junior Grand Prix season, Medvedeva continued her success. Her first assignment in Courchevel, France, resulted in a gold medal by a significant margin of 21 points over Japan's Rin Nitaya. At her second event in Ostrava, Czech Republic, she placed second in both segments but narrowly won gold by 1.44 points over Japan's Wakaba Higuchi. She qualified for the Junior Grand Prix Final in Barcelona, Spain, where she won gold by placing first in both the short program and free skate.
At the 2015 Russian Figure Skating Championships, Medvedeva secured her first senior national medal, a bronze, behind Elena Radionova and Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, finishing third in both segments. She then won gold at the 2015 Russian Junior Championships, finishing nearly 20 points ahead of silver medalist Maria Sotskova. Capping off her junior career, Medvedeva competed at the 2015 World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn, Estonia. She placed first after the short program, setting a new junior world record of 68.48 points. She also won the free program, securing the gold medal. Notably, she had no falls during any of her international events throughout this season.
3.2. Senior Career
Evgenia Medvedeva made a rapid and impactful transition to the senior level, achieving unparalleled success and setting new standards in the sport before facing new challenges.
3.2.1. Senior Career Debut
Medvedeva became age-eligible for senior international competitions in the 2015-16 figure skating season. She commenced her senior debut with a gold medal at the 2015 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy, an ISU Challenger Series event held in early October. Later that month, she competed in her first senior Grand Prix event, the 2015 Skate America. She placed first in the short program and second in the free skate, ultimately winning the gold medal ahead of American skater Gracie Gold. At her subsequent Grand Prix assignment, the 2015 Rostelecom Cup, she earned a silver medal, finishing behind her compatriot Elena Radionova.
3.2.2. Peak Performance and Record-Breaking Seasons
In December 2015, Medvedeva competed at the 2015-16 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Barcelona, Spain. She won gold by placing first in both segments, ahead of Satoko Miyahara, becoming the fifth-youngest Grand Prix Final champion at 16 years old. She also won gold at the 2016 Russian Figure Skating Championships, ahead of silver medalist Radionova. In January 2016, Medvedeva made her senior-level ISU Championships debut at the 2016 European Figure Skating Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia. She clinched the gold medal by finishing first in both the short and free programs, contributing to the second consecutive Russian podium sweep alongside Radionova and Anna Pogorilaya.
In March 2016, Medvedeva won gold at the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, United States. After placing third in the short program, she secured the gold by winning the free skate with a world record score of 150.10 points, surpassing Yuna Kim's previous mark of 150.06 points. Her total score of 223.86 points was a new personal best, 8.47 points ahead of silver medalist Ashley Wagner. Having won the Junior World title in 2015, the 16-year-old Medvedeva became the first ladies' singles skater to win consecutive Junior World and senior World Championships. She also became the second skater in 23 years (after Kimmie Meissner) to win the World Championships in her debut and was the youngest world figure skating champion since Tara Lipinski in 1997. Medvedeva also became only the second ladies' skater to win the Grand Prix Final, European Championships, World Championships, and her country's national championships all in one season, a feat previously achieved by fellow Russian Irina Slutskaya. She also ranked first in both segments at the 2016 Team Challenge Cup in Spokane, Washington, where Team Europe finished third in the head-to-head competition and second overall.
The 2016-17 figure skating season marked Medvedeva's period of peak dominance, where she broke eight world records. She won gold at the 2016 Skate Canada International, placing first in both segments ahead of Kaetlyn Osmond and Satoko Miyahara. She then won another Grand Prix title at the 2016 Trophée de France, where she scored 78.52 points in the short program, just 0.14 points shy of Mao Asada's world record. These performances earned her maximum points for qualification to the 2016-17 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Marseille, France. At the Final, Medvedeva set a new world record for the ladies' short program score with 79.21 points, surpassing Mao Asada's previous record from March 2014. She won the title with a total score 9.33 points ahead of silver medalist Satoko Miyahara. This victory made her one of only five ladies, alongside Irina Slutskaya, Tara Lipinski, Yuna Kim, and Mao Asada, to win back-to-back Grand Prix Final titles.
In December 2016, Medvedeva defended her national title at the 2017 Russian Figure Skating Championships, despite a component of her jump combination (3S-3T-3T) receiving no points. In January 2017, she competed at the 2017 European Figure Skating Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic. She won gold, leading in both the short program and free skate. She reset her own free skate world record with 150.79 points and became the world record holder for the ladies' combined total score with 229.71 points, surpassing Yuna Kim's record which had stood since February 2010.
At the 2017 World Figure Skating Championships in Helsinki, Finland, in March 2017, Medvedeva again placed first in both segments. She set world records for the free skate (154.40 points) and combined score (233.41 points), becoming the first female skater to break the 230-point mark in the combined total score. Her overall score was 15.28 points higher than silver medalist Kaetlyn Osmond. Medvedeva was the only skater in the competition to receive 10.00s in performance as part of the component score. She became the first female skater in 16 years (since Michelle Kwan in 2000 and 2001) to win back-to-back world titles and remains the only Russian woman to successfully defend her world title.
In April 2017, Medvedeva competed for Team Russia at the 2017 ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating in Tokyo, Japan. She placed first in the short program with a new world record score of 80.85 points, becoming the first female skater to break the 80-point mark. She also placed first in the free skate with another world record score of 160.46 points, becoming the first female skater to break the 160-point mark. Medvedeva contributed the maximum 24 points, helping Team Russia win their second consecutive silver medal. Although a combined total score was not officially given at the event, the ISU later ratified her combined world record total score of 241.31 points, making Medvedeva the first female skater to break the 240-point mark.
3.2.3. Olympic Season and Coaching Changes
Medvedeva continued her winning streak into the 2017-18 figure skating season with a gold medal at the 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy in Bratislava, Slovakia. Following this competition, she decided to change her long program music to themes from Anna Karenina, which she debuted at the Japan Open. In mid-October, days before the 2017 Rostelecom Cup, she was diagnosed with a crack in a metatarsal bone in her right foot. Despite the injury, she won her Grand Prix event in Russia and the 2017 NHK Trophy in Osaka, Japan. However, her foot injury forced her to withdraw from both the Grand Prix Final and the Russian National Championship, preventing her from defending her titles.
At the 2018 European Figure Skating Championships in Moscow, Medvedeva finished second to her teammate Alina Zagitova. The following day, she was named to the Russian Olympic team alongside Zagitova and Maria Sotskova.
During her first performance at the 2018 Winter Olympics, in the ladies' short program of the team event, Medvedeva placed first with a world record score of 81.06 points, which was also a personal best. Her 10 points for first place contributed to Russia's silver medal in the team figure skating competition. In the individual event, Medvedeva initially ranked second in the short program with a score of 81.61 points, breaking another world record before it was surpassed by Alina Zagitova just 20 minutes later. She then scored 156.65 points in the free skating program, for a total of 238.26 points, placing her in second behind Zagitova and earning her an Olympic silver medal.
On May 7, 2018, Medvedeva announced that she was ending her long-standing partnership with coach Eteri Tutberidze and relocating to Toronto, Canada, to train under coach Brian Orser at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club. She clarified that the decision was not motivated by a desire for better results but rather to "work together with a coach like friends" and "to hear, and to be heard," indicating a desire for a more collaborative coaching relationship. She stated that she would continue to represent Russia and her current club (Sambo 70) while training in Canada.
3.2.4. Later Career and Retirement
Medvedeva's first season with her new coaches, the 2018-19 figure skating season, began at the 2018 CS Autumn Classic International, where she placed first in the short program and second in the free skate, finishing second overall behind Bradie Tennell. In October, she began the Grand Prix circuit. At the 2018 Skate Canada International, she struggled in the short program, stepping out on a downgraded triple flip and missing her combination, placing seventh. However, she placed first in the free skate to win the bronze medal overall behind Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Mako Yamashita. She placed fourth at the 2018 Internationaux de France in November after several falls and under-rotations in both programs, marking the first time Medvedeva finished off an international podium in her entire junior and senior career.
Following her performance in France, Medvedeva replaced her original "Orange Colored Sky" short program with a new one, choreographed by her friend Misha Ge, to selections from Giacomo Puccini's Tosca. At the 2019 Russian Figure Skating Championships, her first public performance of the new program was challenging, as she underrotated the first part of a combination, popped the second jump, and fell on her closing double Axel. Despite this, she expressed feeling better than after the French Grand Prix. She finished fourteenth in the short program but performed much better in the free skate (despite a fall), placing fourth in that segment to finish seventh overall. She was named the second alternate for the European Championships and first alternate for the 2019 Winter Universiade, from which she later withdrew, being replaced by Maria Sotskova. In February, at the 2019 Russian Cup Final, she won gold after placing first in the short program and second in the free. Medvedeva was subsequently selected for the 2019 World Figure Skating Championships team.
At the 2019 World Figure Skating Championships, Medvedeva competed despite sustaining a thigh injury. She placed fourth in the short program after underrotating the second part of her combination jump. She performed a clean free skate, apart from an underrotated double Axel, placing third in that segment and earning the bronze medal overall. She declined an invitation to the 2019 ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating to recover from her injury.
For the 2019-20 season, Medvedeva began at the 2019 CS Autumn Classic International, finishing second in both programs to win the silver medal behind Rika Kihira. At the Shanghai Trophy, she competed despite not having fully recovered from a high fever that had forced her to miss a week of training. Nevertheless, she placed first in the short program and second in the free skate, winning gold overall against Elizabet Tursynbaeva and Lim Eun-soo, marking her first international gold medal with coach Brian Orser and her first international gold medal since the NHK Trophy in 2017.
On the Grand Prix circuit, Medvedeva placed sixth in the short program at 2019 Skate Canada International due to an unsuccessful program with an underrotated triple flip-triple toe loop combination, a step-out on her double Axel, and a fall on an underrotated triple Lutz. She recovered strongly in the free skate, placing third behind Alexandra Trusova and Kihira, with a season's best score of 146.73 points, moving her up to fifth place overall. At the 2019 Rostelecom Cup in Moscow, Medvedeva won the short program with a personal best of 76.93 points under the new scoring system. She skated a clean free skate, apart from an an edge call on her Lutz, placing second in that segment and taking the silver medal behind Trusova with a new personal best total score of 225.76 points.
At the 2020 Russian Figure Skating Championships, one of Medvedeva's boots broke during early practices. Unable to find a substitute, she competed in the short program with the damaged boot, scoring 71.08 points and finishing fifth. After attempting to skate with the broken boot during free skating practices, she and Brian Orser decided to withdraw from the competition to prepare for the upcoming season.
For the 2020-21 figure skating season, Medvedeva initially traveled to Japan for her Sailor Moon show, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unable to return to her Canadian training base due to travel restrictions, she returned to Moscow in June 2020, training at the CSKA rink with Tatiana Tarasova while communicating with Orser via Skype. On September 16, 2020, Medvedeva announced her return to train under her former coaches, Eteri Tutberidze, Sergei Dudakov, and Daniil Gleikhengauz. Her parting with Orser was amicable, with Orser noting that travel restrictions preventing her mother from obtaining a visa to Canada had influenced her decision.
Medvedeva was assigned to the first and second stages of the Russian Cup series for the 2021 Russian Figure Skating Championships but withdrew from both, and later stages, due to chronic back pain. She also withdrew from the 2020 Rostelecom Cup for the same reason. In November 2020, Medvedeva reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, experiencing severe symptoms that required hospitalization for lung damage. She spent most of November and part of December recovering. Although she returned to training on December 8, doctors advised against her preparing for the 2021 Russian Championships within two weeks, leading her to withdraw. However, she was healthy enough to attend the Nationals and perform in the exhibition gala. On May 14, 2021, Medvedeva was not included on the Russian national team for the 2021-22 figure skating season.
In June 2021, Medvedeva was not assigned any events for the 2021-22 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. On August 5, she announced her intention to skip the upcoming season, effectively ending her bid for a second Olympic team appearance. On December 1, 2021, Evgenia Medvedeva officially announced the end of her competitive skating career due to her chronic back injury, stating that she could only safely perform Salchow jumps and occasionally loops, while triple Flips and Lutzes were no longer physically possible for her.
3.3. Competitive Highlights
This section provides an overview of Evgenia Medvedeva's competitive achievements across various international and national events.
| International | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
| Olympics | 2nd | |||||||
| Worlds | 1st | 1st | WD | 3rd | ||||
| Europeans | 1st | 1st | 2nd | |||||
| GP Final | 1st | 1st | WD | |||||
| GP Skate America | 1st | |||||||
| GP Skate Canada | 1st | 3rd | 5th | |||||
| GP France | 1st | 4th | ||||||
| GP Rostelecom Cup | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | WD | ||||
| GP NHK Trophy | 1st | |||||||
| CS Autumn Classic | 2nd | 2nd | ||||||
| CS Ondrej Nepela | 1st | 1st | ||||||
| Shanghai Trophy | 1st | |||||||
| International: Junior | ||||||||
| Junior Worlds | 3rd | 1st | ||||||
| JGP Final | 3rd | 1st | ||||||
| JGP Czech Republic | 1st | |||||||
| JGP France | 1st | |||||||
| JGP Latvia | 1st | |||||||
| JGP Poland | 1st | |||||||
| Ice Star | 1st | |||||||
| National | ||||||||
| Russian Champ. | 7th | 3rd | 1st | 1st | WD | 7th | WD | WD |
| Russian Junior. Champ. | 4th | 1st | ||||||
| Russian Cup Final | 2nd | 1st | ||||||
| Team events | ||||||||
| Olympics | 2nd T 1st P | |||||||
| World Team Trophy | 2nd T 1st P | |||||||
| Team Challenge Cup | 2nd T 1st P | |||||||
| Japan Open | 2nd T 1st P | 1st T 1st P | ||||||
| J = Junior level; TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew | ||||||||
3.3.1. Pre-international debut
| National | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 |
| Russian Champ. | 8th | ||
| Russian Jr. Champ. | 12th | 6th | 4th |
| Russian Cup Final | 2nd J | 2nd J | |
| J = Junior level | |||
3.4. Detailed Results
The following tables provide detailed results of Evgenia Medvedeva's performances in various figure skating competitions.
WD = Withdrew; SP = Short Program; FS = Free Skate; T = Team result; P = Personal result.
| 2019-20 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 24-29 December 2019 | 2020 Russian Championships | 5 71.08 | WD | WD |
| 15-17 November 2019 | 2019 Rostelecom Cup | 1 76.93 | 2 148.83 | 2 225.76 |
| 25-27 October 2019 | 2019 Skate Canada International | 6 62.89 | 3 146.73 | 5 209.62 |
| 3-5 October 2019 | 2019 Shanghai Trophy | 1 72.16 | 2 119.62 | 1 191.78 |
| 12-14 September 2019 | 2019 CS Autumn Classic International | 2 75.14 | 2 142.29 | 2 217.43 |
| 2018-19 season | ||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 18-24 March 2019 | 2019 World Championships | 4 74.23 | 3 149.57 | 3 223.80 |
| 18-22 February 2019 | 2019 Russian Cup Final domestic competition | 1 76.89 | 2 146.01 | 1 222.90 |
| 19-23 December 2018 | 2019 Russian Championships | 14 62.24 | 4 143.66 | 7 205.90 |
| 23-25 November 2018 | 2018 Internationaux de France | 3 67.55 | 5 125.26 | 4 192.81 |
| 26-28 October 2018 | 2018 Skate Canada International | 7 60.83 | 1 137.08 | 3 197.91 |
| 20-22 September 2018 | 2018 CS Autumn Classic International | 1 70.98 | 2 133.91 | 2 204.89 |
| 2017-18 season | ||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 14-25 February 2018 | 2018 Winter Olympics | 2 81.61 | 1 156.65 | 2 238.26 |
| 9-12 February 2018 | 2018 Winter Olympics (team event) | 1 81.06 | - | 2 T |
| 15-21 January 2018 | 2018 European Championships | 2 78.57 | 2 154.29 | 2 232.86 |
| 10-12 November 2017 | 2017 NHK Trophy | 1 79.99 | 1 144.40 | 1 224.39 |
| 20-22 October 2017 | 2017 Rostelecom Cup | 1 80.75 | 1 150.46 | 1 231.21 |
| 7 October 2017 | 2017 Japan Open | - | 1 152.08 | 1 T |
| 21-23 September 2017 | 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy | 1 80.00 | 1 146.72 | 1 226.72 |
| 2016-17 season | ||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 20-23 April 2017 | 2017 World Team Trophy | 1 80.85 | 1 160.46 | 2 T/1P 241.31 |
| 29 March - 2 April 2017 | 2017 World Championships | 1 79.01 | 1 154.40 | 1 233.41 |
| 25-29 January 2017 | 2017 European Championships | 1 78.92 | 1 150.79 | 1 229.71 |
| 20-26 December 2016 | 2017 Russian Championships | 1 80.08 | 1 153.49 | 1 233.57 |
| 8-11 December 2016 | 2016-17 Grand Prix Final | 1 79.21 | 1 148.45 | 1 227.66 |
| 11-13 November 2016 | 2016 Trophée de France | 1 78.52 | 1 143.02 | 1 221.54 |
| 28-30 October 2016 | 2016 Skate Canada International | 1 76.24 | 1 144.41 | 1 220.65 |
| 1 October 2016 | 2016 Japan Open | - | 1 147.07 | 2 T |
| 2015-16 season | ||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 22-24 April 2016 | 2016 Team Challenge Cup | 1 77.56 | 1 151.55 | 2 T/1P |
| 28 March - 3 April 2016 | 2016 World Championships | 3 73.76 | 1 150.10 | 1 223.86 |
| 26-31 January 2016 | 2016 European Championships | 1 72.55 | 1 142.90 | 1 215.45 |
| 22-27 December 2015 | 2016 Russian Championships | 1 79.44 | 1 155.44 | 1 234.88 |
| 10-13 December 2015 | 2015-16 Grand Prix Final | 1 74.58 | 1 147.96 | 1 222.54 |
| 20-22 November 2015 | 2015 Rostelecom Cup | 3 67.03 | 1 139.73 | 2 206.76 |
| 23-25 October 2015 | 2015 Skate America | 1 70.92 | 2 135.09 | 1 206.01 |
| 1-3 October 2015 | 2015 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy | 1 63.68 | 2 120.26 | 1 183.94 |
3.4.1. Junior level
| 2014-15 season | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Event | Level | SP | FS | Total |
| 2-8 March 2015 | 2015 World Junior Championships | Junior | 1 68.48 | 1 124.49 | 1 192.97 |
| 4-7 February 2015 | 2015 Russian Junior Championships | Junior | 1 70.95 | 1 134.10 | 1 205.05 |
| 24-28 December 2014 | 2015 Russian Championships | Senior | 3 72.57 | 3 137.24 | 3 209.81 |
| 11-14 December 2014 | 2014-15 JGP Final | Junior | 1 67.09 | 1 123.80 | 1 190.89 |
| 3-7 September 2014 | 2014 JGP Czech Republic | Junior | 2 55.92 | 2 115.20 | 1 171.12 |
| 20-24 August 2014 | 2014 JGP France | Junior | 1 61.12 | 1 118.43 | 1 179.55 |
| 2013-14 season | |||||
| Date | Event | Level | SP | FS | Total |
| 10-16 March 2014 | 2014 World Junior Championships | Junior | 3 63.72 | 3 114.71 | 3 178.43 |
| 26 February - 2 March 2014 | 2014 Russian Cup Final domestic competition | Senior | 2 66.05 | 2 124.52 | 2 190.57 |
| 23-25 January 2014 | 2014 Russian Junior Championships | Junior | 4 63.25 | 4 120.45 | 4 183.70 |
| 24-26 December 2013 | 2014 Russian Championships | Senior | 8 62.19 | 8 119.67 | 7 181.86 |
| 5-6 December 2013 | 2013-14 JGP Final | Junior | 3 58.75 | 5 104.93 | 3 163.68 |
| 18-20 October 2013 | 2013 Ice Star | Junior | 1 62.12 | 1 118.01 | 1 180.13 |
| 20-22 September 2013 | 2013 JGP Poland | Junior | 1 61.61 | 1 118.35 | 1 179.96 |
| 29-30 August 2013 | 2013 JGP Latvia | Junior | 3 55.17 | 1 114.35 | 1 169.52 |
| 2012-13 season | |||||
| Date | Event | Level | SP | FS | Total |
| 2-3 February 2013 | 2013 Russian Junior Championships | Junior | 5 61.35 | 4 118.84 | 4 180.19 |
| 2011-12 season | |||||
| Date | Event | Level | SP | FS | Total |
| 5-7 February 2012 | 2012 Russian Junior Championships | Junior | 7 54.86 | 7 103.64 | 6 158.50 |
| 26-27 December 2011 | 2012 Russian Championships | Senior | 11 53.21 | 8 108.53 | 8 161.74 |
| 2010-11 season | |||||
| Date | Event | Level | SP | FS | Total |
| 2-4 February 2011 | 2011 Russian Junior Championships | Junior | 13 42.57 | 12 88.93 | 12 131.50 |
4. Skating Technique and Style
Evgenia Medvedeva is known for her distinctive skating techniques and strong performance style. She commonly performs almost all of her jumps with one or both arms over her head. This technique, when one arm is raised, is called the "Tano" variation, first popularized by Brian Boitano with his triple Lutz. When both arms are raised, it is known as the "Rippon" variation, which Medvedeva frequently utilized in the 2016-2017 season. These variations increase the base value of her jumps, contributing to higher scores.
She executes several complex jump combinations, often ending with a triple toe loop, such as the 3F-3T, 3S-3T, 3Lo-3T, and 2A-3T. She has also been known to practice even higher-difficulty combinations like triple-triple-triple and triple-triple-triple-triple jumps. In the 2018-2019 season, Medvedeva incorporated the triple loop jump at the end of combinations, such as 3S-3Lo, and practiced combinations like 2A-3Lo, 3Lo-3Lo, and 3F-3Lo.
Medvedeva often places many of her jumps in the second half of her programs, where they receive a 1.1 multiplier to their base value, a strategic element that significantly boosts her scores. In her short programs, she typically placed all her jumps in the second half. She is also recognized for performing a cross grab I-position spiral towards the center of the rink near the end of her programs.
While proficient in most jumps, Medvedeva has faced challenges with her Lutz jump, occasionally receiving edge violation calls, which sometimes led her to exclude it from her short program composition. Beyond her technical prowess, Medvedeva is noted for her exceptional mental fortitude and consistent composure during competitions. As Alexei Mishin once remarked, he was more impressed and moved by her confidence than by her jumps or spins.
5. Programs
Evgenia Medvedeva's competitive and exhibition programs have featured a diverse range of music and choreographic styles, reflecting her artistic versatility and personal interests.
| Season | Short program | Free skating | Exhibition | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
by Hayko |
by John Williams |
by Sergei Rachmaninov | ||||
| 2023-2024 |
by Mia Boyka |
(from Cirque du Soleil) |
by Anna German | ||||
| 2022-2023 |
by Sardor Milano |
(from Cirque du Soleil) |
by Anna German | ||||
| 2021-2022 |
by Sardor Milano |
(from Cirque du Soleil) |
by Anna German | ||||
| 2020-2021 |
by Aram Khachaturian |
(from Cirque du Soleil) |
by Anna German | ||||
| 2019-2020 |
by Muse |
(from Memoirs of a Geisha) |
by Billie Eilish | ||||
| 2018-2019 |
(from Tosca by Giacomo Puccini) |
(from Sur)
by Astor Piazzolla |
by May J. | ||||
| 2017-2018 |
by Frédéric Chopin |
(from Anna Karenina) |
by Ludovico Einaudi | ||||
| 2016-2017 |
by Yiruma
by Balmorhea |
(from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close) |
performed by Vladimir Spivakov, Sergei Bezrodny | ||||
| 2015-2016 |
by Isaac Schwartz |
(from W.E.) |
by Celtic Women | ||||
| 2014-2015 |
by Michel Legrand |
by Hans Günter Wagener
by Hugues Le Bars |
by Bee Gees | ||||
| 2013-2014 |
by Frank Mills |
(from La califfa) |
>- | 2012-2013 |
choreo. by Eteri Tutberidze |
by Eugen Doga
by Eugen Doga | |
| 2011-2012 |
by Cy Coleman | ||||||
| 2010-2011 |
by Charlie Chaplin |
ЦыганочкаTsyganochkaRussian
Эх раз, ещё разEkh raz, eshche razRussian | |||||
| 2009-2010 |
|
(from Cats) |
6. Records and Achievements
Evgenia Medvedeva's career is marked by an exceptional series of records and achievements, particularly under the ISU Judging System prior to the 2018-2019 season.
- First ladies' singles skater to win senior Worlds the year after winning Junior Worlds (achieved with gold at the 2015 World Junior Figure Skating Championships and then at the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships).
- First ladies' singles skater to win two consecutive senior Worlds the year after winning Junior Worlds (following her 2015 Junior Worlds title, she won the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships and 2017 World Figure Skating Championships).
- First female skater to win back-to-back world titles in 16 years (since Michelle Kwan in 2000 and 2001).
- Only Russian woman ever to successfully defend her world title.
- One of only four ladies to achieve a Grand Slam (winning all the main competitions of the same season).
- First skater (all disciplines included) to complete two Grand Slams in a row (2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons).
- First ladies' singles skater to win 13 consecutive international competitions.
6.1. Historical world record scores
Note: Due to the introduction of the new +5 / -5 Grade of Execution (GOE) system which replaced the previous +3 / -3 GOE system, the ISU decided that all statistics would reset from zero beginning with the 2018-19 season, rendering all previous statistics historical. Medvedeva had broken world records 13 times before the 2018-19 season.
| Combined total records | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Score | Event | Note |
| 22 April 2017 | 241.31 | 2017 ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating | Historical world record. Medvedeva became the first and remained the only lady to score above 240 points before the 2018-19 season. |
| 31 March 2017 | 233.41 | 2017 World Figure Skating Championships | Medvedeva became the first lady to score above 230 points. |
| 27 January 2017 | 229.71 | 2017 European Figure Skating Championships | Medvedeva broke Yuna Kim's record which had lasted since February 2010. |
| Short program records | |||
| Date | Score | Event | Note |
| 21 February 2018 | 81.61 | 2018 Winter Olympics | Historical world record. This record was broken by teammate Alina Zagitova twenty minutes later at the same event. |
| 11 February 2018 | 81.06 | 2018 Winter Olympics (Team event) | This Team event result is not cited in the ISU data site. |
| 20 April 2017 | 80.85 | 2017 ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating | Medvedeva became the first lady to score above 80 points in short program. |
| 9 December 2016 | 79.21 | 2016-17 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final | Medvedeva broke Mao Asada's record which had lasted since March 2014. |
| Free skating records | |||
| Date | Score | Event | Note |
| 22 April 2017 | 160.46 | 2017 ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating | Historical world record. Medvedeva became the first and remained the only lady to score above 160 points before the 2018-19 season. |
| 31 March 2017 | 154.40 | 2017 World Figure Skating Championships | |
| 27 January 2017 | 150.79 | 2017 European Figure Skating Championships | |
| 2 April 2016 | 150.10 | 2016 World Figure Skating Championships | Medvedeva broke Yuna Kim's record which had lasted since February 2010. |
| Junior ladies' short program records | |||
| Date | Score | Event | Note |
| 7 March 2015 | 68.48 | 2015 World Junior Figure Skating Championships | |
| 13 December 2014 | 67.09 | 2014-15 Junior Grand Prix Final | |
6.2. List of Medvedeva's historical best scores
These are Medvedeva's personal best scores achieved before the 2018-19 season, when the ISU reset all statistics due to a change in the scoring system.
| Best combined total scores | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| All-time rank | Score | Event | Note |
| 1 | 241.31 | 2017 ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating | Historical best score. Medvedeva is the only lady who has ever scored above 240 points. She has scored thirteen times above 220 points, five times above 230 points and once above 240 points. Ten out of the fifteen best combined total scores of all time have been scored by Medvedeva. |
| (2) | (Alina Zagitova 239.57) | ||
| 3 | 238.26 | 2018 Winter Olympics | |
| (4) | (Alina Zagitova 238.24) | ||
| 5 | 233.41 | 2017 World Figure Skating Championships | |
| 6 | 232.86 | 2018 European Figure Skating Championships | |
| 7 | 231.21 | 2017 Rostelecom Cup | |
| Best short program scores | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| All-time rank | Score | Event | Note |
| (1) | (Alina Zagitova 82.92) | Historical best score. Medvedeva has scored eleven times above 78 points and five times above 80 points in the short program. Nine out of the eleven best short program scores of all time have been scored by Medvedeva. She was the first lady who scored above 80 points in a short program at an international competition. | |
| 2 | 81.61 | 2018 Winter Olympics | |
| 3 | 81.06 | 2018 Winter Olympics - Team event | |
| 4 | 80.85 | 2017 ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating | |
| 5 | 80.75 | 2017 Rostelecom Cup | |
| (6) | (Alina Zagitova and Carolina Kostner 80.27) | ||
| 8 | 80.00 | 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy | |
| Best free skating scores | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| All-time rank | Score | Event | Note |
| 1 | 160.46 | 2017 ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating | Historical best score. Medvedeva is the first lady to score above 160 points in free skating. She has scored ten times above 146 points in free skating. Seven times she has scored above 150 points and once above 160 points. Seven out of the twelve best free skating scores of all time have been scored by Medvedeva. |
| (2) | (Alina Zagitova 158.08) | ||
| (3) | (Alina Zagitova 157.97) | ||
| 4 | 156.65 | 2018 Winter Olympics | |
| (Alina Zagitova 156.65) | |||
| 6 | 154.40 | 2017 World Figure Skating Championships | |
| 7 | 154.29 | 2018 European Figure Skating Championships | |
7. Awards and Honors
Throughout her career, Evgenia Medvedeva has received numerous official accolades and state honors recognizing her significant contributions to Russian sports.
- Awarded the title "Honored Master of Sports of Russia" by then-Minister of Sport Vitaly Mutko in 2016.
- Awarded the Order of Friendship by Vladimir Putin in 2018.
- Awarded "the Silver DOE" of Russia.
- In 2017, she was recognized as a finalist for the "Sportswoman of the Year Awards" by the Women's Sports Foundation.
8. Endorsements and Public Image
Evgenia Medvedeva has cultivated a significant public image and has been actively involved in sports marketing and endorsements throughout her career.
She has been featured on the front cover of prominent magazines, including the May 2017 issue of Russian Tatler, the July 2017 issue of Elle Girl Russia, and the March 2018 issue of Top Beauty Russia. In April 2022, she appeared on the cover of the April issue of the men's magazine Maxim Russia.
In 2017, she was included in SportsPro magazine's "50 Most Marketable Athletes List," ranking 46th. She was the second figure skater to be featured on this list, following Yuna Kim in 2013. Medvedeva was also listed among Business Insiders "World's 50 Most Dominant Athletes" in 2017, ranking 14th, and was included in Forbes "30 under 30 Europe" list of 2017 as one of Europe's most successful young individuals.
Her sponsors have included John Wilson, the manufacturer of her Gold Seal blades, and Edea, her skating boot manufacturer. In 2018, John Wilson presented her with custom 24K rose gold engraved blades designed by fellow figure skater Misha Ge. She is also sponsored by Nike. In 2018, she became a brand ambassador for Pantene. In 2019, Medvedeva appeared in a TV advertisement for the Japanese game Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Gaiden alongside Russian teammate Alina Zagitova. She has also collaborated with Japanese brands Rivaland and Aniplex. In February 2021, Medvedeva became one of Ozon's ambassadors, and in March 2021, she became a Nestle brand ambassador.
9. Personal Life
9.1. Idols and Hobbies
Outside of figure skating, Medvedeva has expressed admiration for fellow figure skaters Evgeni Plushenko and Yuna Kim, whom she considers her idols. She is known to her friends by the nicknames "Zhenya" and "Janny." In addition to her native Russian, Evgenia speaks English and has a basic understanding of Japanese. She is a supporter of FC Dynamo Moscow, a Russian football club. Medvedeva is a pet owner and has two French Bulldogs named Jerry and Tofu. In October 2024, Medvedeva performed as a guest at the 2024 CS Denis Ten Memorial Challenge gala exhibition, where she honored her late friend, figure skater Denis Ten, by performing to music he had composed himself.
She briefly dated Russian-Uzbek pair skater Dmitrii Chigirev from 2023 to 2024.
9.2. Cultural Interests
Medvedeva has a notable affinity for Japanese culture, particularly for anime films by Hayao Miyazaki. Her passion for the anime series Sailor Moon is well-known; after her performance at the 2016 World Championships, upon learning that she was being interviewed by a Japanese television station, she expressed her desire to "please Japanese fans" and recited the Japanese lyrics of the Sailor Moon theme song, "Moonlight Densetsu". In 2016, she performed in a Sailor Moon cosplay at the Dream on Ice show in Japan and had the opportunity to meet the series' original creator, Naoko Takeuchi. She was cast as the lead role of Sailor Moon in the first Sailor Moon ice show, "Prism On Ice."
In 2019, Medvedeva, along with Alina Zagitova, appeared in a Japanese television commercial for the mobile role-playing game Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Gaiden, portraying Homura Akemi in a scene depicting a reunion with Madoka Kaname (played by Zagitova) through skating. She has also expressed appreciation for the figure skating anime Yuri!!! on ICE, particularly enjoying its detailed portrayal of the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final venue, remarking that it felt like she "returned to Barcelona" where she won, and that it made her happy.
In 2021, the Embassy of Japan in Russia collaborated with Medvedeva for an initiative to improve Japan's image on Instagram. She shared a photo of herself dressed as a maiko during her visit to Kyoto, commenting, "For me, Japan is another world. Everything runs like clockwork, and that's what I like most of all. People are very responsible."
9.3. Other Personal Aspects
Medvedeva has publicly stated that she has a phobia of butterflies. Regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine which began on February 24, 2022, she made a public statement on her Instagram, posting a black image and stating, "this all has [to end] as soon as possible, like a bad dream," expressing her disapproval of the conflict.
10. Legacy and Evaluation
Evgenia Medvedeva's impact on the sport of figure skating is profound, characterized by her innovative technical elements, artistic performances, and record-breaking achievements that pushed the boundaries of the sport. Her "Tano" and "Rippon" jump variations became a signature style, inspiring many younger skaters to incorporate them into their own programs.
During her dominant seasons, particularly 2015-2017, she redefined scoring benchmarks, becoming the first female skater to consistently break previously unattainable point thresholds in short program, free skate, and total scores. Her ability to execute complex jump combinations with high-value variations and strategically place them in the second half of her programs demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the ISU Judging System.
Beyond her technical prowess, Medvedeva captivated audiences with her expressive and nuanced performances. Her ability to convey complex emotions and narratives through her choreography and interpretation was a hallmark of her skating. This artistic depth, combined with her technical strength, contributed to her immense popularity worldwide.
Her intense rivalry with teammate Alina Zagitova leading up to and during the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics captivated global attention, showcasing the pinnacle of ladies' singles figure skating at that time. While the Olympic gold ultimately eluded her, her two silver medals cemented her status as an Olympic medalist.
Medvedeva's later career, marked by injuries and coaching changes, highlighted the immense physical and mental demands of elite figure skating. Despite these challenges, her resilience and determination to continue competing and striving for her best were widely respected. Her retirement due to chronic injury underscored the physical toll that competitive skating takes on athletes.
Her outspokenness on matters beyond the rink, such as her stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, also reflects her willingness to use her platform for social commentary. Her deep connection to and appreciation for Japanese culture, particularly anime, has endeared her to a global fanbase, showcasing the cross-cultural appeal of figure skating and her own diverse interests.
Overall, Evgenia Medvedeva leaves a legacy as one of the most influential figure skaters of her generation, a trailblazer in technical execution and a captivating artist whose career left an indelible mark on the sport.