Zagitova has chosen a coach for her own figure skating school in Kazan.

      The coaching team includes Nadezhda Zayakina. Zagitova intends to create not just a school, but a full-fledged training center for figure skaters. Photo: Ivan Makeev. Go to the Photo Bank of KP. A figure skating school of Olympic champion Alina Zagitova is preparing to open in Kazan. There is about a month left before the institution starts operating. Currently, Zagitova's team is actively selecting the coaching staff. While earlier the focus was mainly on attracting specialists from Moscow and negotiations were held with potential candidates, the project is now increasingly involving personnel from local sports schools. One of the first coaches to join the project was Nadezhda Zayakina, a specialist from the sports school "FSO 'Strela'" in Kazan. She is known as the mentor of Dina Khusnutdinova, one of the brightest young figure skaters in Tatarstan. Under Zayakina's guidance, the athlete achieved significant success, in particular mastering the triple axel and winning at the Grand Prix stage in Kazan, and last year she passed the audition for Eteri Tutberidze's group. The achievements of her student strengthened Nadezhda Vladimirovna's reputation as one of the strongest coaches in the region. Nadezhda Zayakina has an impressive professional experience: her total time in sports is about 28 years, with 18 years in teaching. She has a higher education and a qualification as a teacher of choreographic disciplines, as well as the highest coaching category. In 2023, she was awarded the badge "Excellence in Physical Culture and Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan." In the past, Nadezhda Vladimirovna was a ballet soloist in Chelyabinsk and Kazan. Zagitova intends to create not just a school, but a full-fledged training center for figure skaters. The complex, covering more than six thousand square meters, will include an ice arena, training halls, and all necessary infrastructure. Athletes will be able to not only practice elements on the ice but also engage in general physical training, work with choreographers, and specialized coaches. Anna KUZOVLEVA

      More news about the event: The mentor of Khusnutdinova joined Zagitova's school team. A figure skating school of Olympic champion Alina Zagitova is preparing to open in Kazan. 10:46 26.07.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan. Zagitova chose a coach for her own figure skating school in Kazan. The coaching team includes Nadezhda Zayakina. Zagitova intends to create not just a school, but a full-fledged training center for figure skaters. Photo: Ivan Makeev. 09:27 26.07.2026 Komsomolskaya Pravda Kazan - Kazan. News from neighboring regions on the topic: Will figure skating in Russia be able to emerge from a deep crisis? A new season in figure skating is about to start. Russians will show the world whether they can get out of a deep crisis. 11:53 25.07.2026 Infokam - Kamyshin.