Adelina Sotnikova facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adelina Sotnikova
Sotnikova at the 2014 Sochi Olympics podium
Personal information
Native name	Аделина Дмитриевна Сотникова
Full name	Adelina Dmitriyevna Sotnikova
Country represented	Russia
Born	(1996-07-01) 1 July 1996 (age 28) Moscow, Russia
Residence	Moscow, Russia
Height	1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Coach	Evgeni Plushenko
Former coach	Elena Vodorezova (Buianova)
Choreographer	Emanuel Sandhu
Former choreographer	Tatiana Tarasova, Peter Tchernyshev, Irina Tagaeva
Skating club	CSKA Moscow
Began skating	2000
Retired	2 March 2020
World standing	103 (2017–18) 79 (2016–17) 19 (2015–16) 9 (2014–15) 4 (2013–14) 9 (2012–13) 14 (2011–12) 37 (2010–11)
Season's bests	7 (2015–2016) 1 (2013–2014) 5 (2012–2013) 13 (2011–2012) 9 (2010–2011)
ISU personal best scores
Combined total	224.59 2014 Winter Olympics
Short program	75.57 2015 Mordovian Ornament
Free skate	149.95 2014 Winter Olympics
Medal record Representing  Russia Figure skating: Ladies' singles International competitions Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 1 0 0 European Championships 0 2 0 Winter Youth Olympics 0 1 0 World Junior Championships 1 0 1 Junior Grand Prix Final 1 0 0 Total 3 3 1 Olympic Games Gold 2014 Sochi Ladies' singles European Championships Silver 2013 Zagreb Ladies' singles Silver 2014 Budapest Ladies' singles Russian Championships Gold 2009 Kazan Ladies’ Singles Gold 2011 Saransk Ladies’ Singles Gold 2012 Saransk Ladies’ Singles Gold 2014 Sochi Ladies’ Singles Bronze 2013 Sochi Ladies’ Singles Winter Youth Olympics Silver 2012 Innsbruck Ladies' singles World Junior Championships Gold 2011 Gangneung Ladies' singles Bronze 2012 Minsk Ladies' singles Junior Grand Prix Final Gold 2010–11 Beijing Ladies' singles

Adelina Dmitriyevna Sotnikova (Russian: Адели́на Дми́триевна Со́тникова; born 1 July 1996) is a retired Russian figure skater. She is best known for winning the gold medal in ladies' singles at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Adelina also won two silver medals at the European Figure Skating Championships (in 2013 and 2014). She was a four-time champion at the Russian Figure Skating Championships (in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2014).

As a junior skater, she earned a silver medal at the 2012 Youth Olympic Games. She was also the Junior World Champion in 2011. Adelina stopped competing after the 2015–2016 season. She officially announced her retirement on March 1, 2020.

Adelina Sotnikova's Skating Journey

Starting Young

Adelina Sotnikova began skating when she was just four years old. She practiced at an ice rink near her home in Moscow. Her first coach was Anna Patrikeeva. When she was seven, she moved to train at CSKA. A year later, she started working with coach Elena Buianova.

Early Wins

In the 2008–2009 season, Adelina competed at the senior level for the first time. She won the gold medal at the 2009 Russian Nationals when she was only 12. A month later, she also won the 2009 Russian Junior Championships.

Adelina couldn't compete in the Junior Grand Prix in 2009–2010. This was because of International Skating Union rules. Skaters needed to be 13 before July 1st in their birth country. Adelina was born just a few hours into July 1st. She also faced a growth spurt that season. This caused her to place lower in national competitions.

Junior Success (2010–2011)

Sotnikova with medalists Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Li Zijun at the 2010–11 Junior Grand Prix Final

Adelina started her Junior Grand Prix career in the 2010–2011 season. She won gold medals in Austria and the U.K. This allowed her to qualify for the 2010 Junior Grand Prix Final, which she won.

At the 2011 Russian Championships, she won her second national title. She then went on to win the gold medal at the World Junior Championships. She finished ahead of her teammate Elizaveta Tuktamysheva.

Moving to Senior Competitions (2011–2012)

In the 2011–2012 season, Adelina was old enough for the senior Grand Prix series. She competed at the 2011 Cup of China and 2011 Rostelecom Cup. She won bronze medals at both events.

Adelina then won the gold medal at the 2011 Golden Spin of Zagreb. At the 2012 Russian Championships, she won her third national title. She also earned a silver medal at the 2012 Youth Olympic Games. At the 2012 World Junior Championships, she won a bronze medal.

Continued Growth (2012–2013)

Adelina began the 2012–2013 season with a silver medal at the 2012 Nebelhorn Trophy. She won a bronze medal at 2012 Skate America. At the 2013 Russian Championships, she earned another bronze medal.

At the 2013 European Championships, she won the silver medal. This was a big achievement for Russia. Adelina and teammate Elizaveta Tuktamysheva were the first Russian ladies to win medals at the Europeans since 2006. She finished 9th in her first World Championships.

Olympic Glory (2013–2014)

Sotnikova at the 2013 Cup of China podium

Adelina started her 2013–2014 Grand Prix season with a silver medal at the 2013 Cup of China. She also won a silver medal at the 2013 Trophée Éric Bompard. These results qualified her for her first Grand Prix Final, where she finished 5th.

At the 2014 Russian Championships, Adelina won her fourth national title. She then earned another silver medal at the 2014 European Championships. She became only the second Russian lady to score over 200 points in a competition.

2014 Sochi Winter Olympics

The highlight of Adelina's career came at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. She won the gold medal in the ladies' individual event. She became one of the youngest Olympic figure skating champions ever.

Adelina was in second place after the short program. But she skated a fantastic free skate to win the gold medal. She was awarded the Order of Friendship by Vladimir Putin after her victory.

Later Seasons and Retirement (2014–2020)

Sotnikova with President Vladimir Putin after Olympics, 24 February 2014

Adelina faced injuries after her Olympic win. She had to withdraw from several competitions, including the 2014 Rostelecom Cup and the 2015 Russian Figure Skating Championships. She focused on other activities, like appearing on the Russian version of Dancing with the Stars.

In the 2015–2016 season, she competed in a few events. She won a silver medal at the 2015 Mordovian Ornament and a bronze at the 2015 Rostelecom Cup. She placed 6th at the 2016 Russian Figure Skating Championships.

From 2016 onwards, injuries kept Adelina from competing. In 2017, she started training with former Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko. However, her health problems continued. She had back pain and eventually needed surgery in early 2020. She received two spinal implants to help with the pain.

On March 1, 2020, Adelina officially announced her retirement from competitive figure skating. She hopes to perform in skating shows in the future.

Television

Adelina appeared in the eighth season of the ice show contest Ice Age.

Personal Life

Adelina Sotnikova was born in Moscow on July 1, 1996. Her father, Dmitry, is a police officer. Her mother, Olga, worked as a homemaker. Adelina has a younger sister, Maria, who has Treacher Collins syndrome. Adelina has said that her sister is a big inspiration for her. She sees figure skating as a way to support her sister.

Adelina went to a high school where many students were athletes. In 2013, she started studying at a sports university. She plans to become a coach one day. In 2015, Adelina opened her own beauty salon in Moscow. On October 30, 2022, she welcomed her first child, a boy named Adrian.

Competitive Highlights

• GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

Images for kids

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  Sotnikova performing her gala at the 2013 Trophee Eric Bompard

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  Sotnikova at the 2012 Rostelecom Cup

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  Sotnikova at the 2010–11 Junior Grand Prix Final

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  17-year-old Sotnikova at the 2014 Winter Olympics podium

See also

In Spanish: Adelina Sótnikova para niños