Maxim Trankov facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maxim Trankov
Personal information
Full name	Maxim Leonidovich Trankov
Country represented	Russia
Born	(1983-10-07) 7 October 1983 (age 41) Perm, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Residence	Moscow, Russia
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Partner	Tatiana Volosozhar
Former partner	Maria Mukhortova, Natalia Shestakova, Irina Ulanova
Coach	Nina Mozer, Stanislav Morozov
Former coach	Oleg Vasiliev, Artur Dmitriev, Tamara Moskvina, Nikolai Velikov, Valeri Tiukov, Valentina Tiukova
Choreographer	Nikolai Morozov
Former choreographer	Alla Kapranova, Alexander Zhulin, Alexander Matveev, Tatiana Druchinina, Tamara Moskvina
Skating club	Moscow Skating School "Vorobyovy Gory"
Training locations	Moscow
Former training locations	Saint Petersburg Chicago Perm
Began skating	1987
World standing	Pairs with Volosozhar 38 (2017–18) 24 (2016–17) 7 (2015–16) 2 (2014–15) 1 (2013–14) 1 (2012–13) 2 (2011–12) 25 (2010–11) Pairs with Mukhortova 5 (2009–10) 6 (2008–09) 10 (2007–08) 13 (2006–07) 12 (2005–06) 9 (2004–05) 26 (2003–04)
Season's bests	2 (2015–16) 1 (2013–14) 1 (2012–13) 2 (2011–12) 2 (2010–11) 5 (2009–10) 6 (2008–09)
ISU personal best scores
Combined total	237.71 2013 Skate America
Short program	84.17 (WR) 2014 Winter Olympics
Free skate	154.66 2013 Skate America
Medal record Representing  Russia (with Volosozhar) Pairs' Figure skating Olympic Games Gold 2014 Sochi Pairs Gold 2014 Sochi Team World Championships Gold 2013 London Pairs Silver 2011 Moscow Pairs Silver 2012 Nice Pairs European Championships Gold 2012 Sheffield Pairs Gold 2013 Zagreb Pairs Gold 2014 Budapest Pairs Gold 2016 Bratislava Pairs Grand Prix Final Gold 2012–2013 Sochi Pairs Silver 2011–2012 Quebec Pairs Silver 2013–2014 Fukuoka Pairs Representing  Russia (with Mukhortova) Pairs' Figure skating European Championships Silver 2008 Zagreb Pairs Bronze 2009 Helsinki Pairs Bronze 2010 Tallinn Pairs Winter Universiade Bronze 2005 Innsbruck Pairs World Junior Championships Gold 2005 Kitchener Pairs Bronze 2004 The Hague Pairs Junior Grand Prix Final Gold 2004–2005 Helsinki Pairs Bronze 2003–2004 Malmö Pairs

Maxim Leonidovich Trankov (born 7 October 1983) is a famous Russian pair skater. He is best known for his amazing performances with his partner, Tatiana Volosozhar. Together, they won two gold medals at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. They won gold in both the pairs event and the new team event.

Maxim and Tatiana also became World champions in 2013. They won the European Championships four times (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016). They were also champions at the 2012 Grand Prix Final. Plus, they won the Russian national title three times (2011, 2013, 2016).

Before skating with Tatiana, Maxim skated with Maria Mukhortova. With Maria, he won a silver medal at the European Championships in 2008. They also became World Junior champions in 2005. Maxim and Tatiana were the first figure skaters to win two gold medals at the same Olympics. This shows how special their achievements were!

About Maxim's Life

Maxim Trankov was born in Perm. His family was very sporty. His mother was a runner, and his father, Leonid, loved horse riding. Maxim's father taught him how to ride horses. Sadly, his father passed away in 2013.

Maxim enjoys Russian hip-hop music and even writes his own songs. He has an older brother named Alexei.

In February 2015, Maxim and his skating partner, Tatiana Volosozhar, announced they were getting married. They tied the knot on August 18, 2015. They have two children: a daughter named Angelika, born in February 2017, and a son named Theodore, born in May 2021.

Maxim's Early Skating Days

Maxim first started ice skating in 1987 when he was about four years old. His parents wanted him to be active in a sport. He stopped skating for a short time but then returned. He joined coaches Valeri Tiukov and Valentina Tiukova.

When Maxim was 11, he was very tall. A coach suggested he try pair skating. At first, he was a bit shy about holding a girl's hand, but he tried it and really liked it!

He skated with a few partners when he was young. In 1999, at age 15, he moved to Saint Petersburg to skate with Irina Ulanova. She was the daughter of famous skaters.

Maxim faced some challenges early on. He and another skater, Alexander Smirnov, sometimes slept at the rink. They struggled to find food but told their parents they were in a dormitory. After a few years, Maxim was able to get his own apartment.

Maxim and Irina Ulanova skated together for three years. They finished fifth at the Russian Junior Championships. But their partnership ended when Maxim was 18 because of height differences and jumping problems.

In 2002, Maxim joined coaches Ludmila Velikova and Nikolai Velikov. He skated with Natalia Shestakova for a year. Then, in 2003, he teamed up with Maria Mukhortova.

Skating with Maria Mukhortova

Mukhortova and Trankov at the 2010 European Championships

Maxim and Maria Mukhortova started skating together in 2003. Their first coaches were Ludmila and Nikolai Velikov. In their first year, they won bronze medals at the Junior Grand Prix Final and the World Junior Championships. They also won the Russian junior title.

The next season, they won gold medals in junior competitions. They also started competing in senior events. They finished 6th at the 2004 Cup of Russia. They then won the Junior Grand Prix Final and the 2005 World Junior title.

In the 2005–06 season, they competed in two senior Grand Prix events. They finished 12th at their first senior World Championships.

Maxim and Maria were known for having a difficult partnership. They often argued and changed coaches. After the 2006 World Championships, they switched to coach Tamara Moskvina. Their arguments continued, and Moskvina moved them to coach Artur Dmitriev in August 2006. Maxim later said they were not easy students.

In late 2006, they almost stopped skating together. But Tatiana Tarasova convinced them to continue. She helped them connect with coach Oleg Vasiliev. They started working with him in December 2006.

In the 2006–07 season, they won the Russian national title. However, Maria got injured, so they had to miss the European Championships. They finished 11th at the World Championships.

The next season, they won their first Grand Prix medal, a bronze at the 2007 Trophée Eric Bompard. They won a silver medal at the 2008 European Championships. They finished seventh at the 2008 World Championships. Maxim had an arm injury during this time.

Mukhortova/Trankov perform a carry lift with the man in a spread eagle

Maxim also had a neck injury that caused problems. This injury made him wonder if he could continue skating. Maria even tried out with another skater.

In the 2008–09 season, they did very well in their short programs. They won bronze at 2008 Skate America and silver at 2008 Trophée Eric Bompard. This helped them qualify for their first senior Grand Prix Final. They finished sixth there. They won bronze at the 2009 European Championships and finished fifth at the 2009 World Championships.

For the 2009–10 season, they won gold at the 2009 Trophée Eric Bompard. They beat two-time World champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy. They also won silver at 2009 Skate Canada and another bronze at the 2010 European Championships. They finished seventh at the 2010 Winter Olympics. They were fourth at the 2010 World Championships. Soon after, they decided to split up. Maxim thought about quitting skating.

Skating with Tatiana Volosozhar

Starting a New Partnership

In March 2010, people started talking about Maxim possibly teaming up with Ukrainian skater Tatiana Volosozhar.

Maxim moved to Moscow to train with Tatiana. They started practicing together in May 2010. Their coach was Nina Mozer. Stanislav Morozov helped them with their skating moves. They had to adjust their techniques to skate perfectly together.

2010–2011 Season: A Strong Start

Volosozhar and Trankov first competed in Russian events. In December 2010, they won gold at the 2011 Russian Championships.

Tatiana could not compete internationally for a year because of rules about changing countries. This meant they missed many big events. She became eligible in February 2011. They competed at the Mont Blanc Trophy to qualify for the World Championships. They easily won this event.

The World Championships were first planned for Tokyo. Maxim and Tatiana arrived there just before a big earthquake. The event was moved to Moscow.

At the 2011 Worlds, Volosozhar and Trankov won the silver medal. They finished behind Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy. This was the first World medal for both Maxim and Tatiana. It was amazing because they achieved this in their first season together! People were very impressed by how quickly they improved.

2011–2012 Season: More Success

Volosozhar/Trankov at 2012 World Championships.

Volosozhar and Trankov at the 2011 Trophée Bompard

During the break, Maxim got a shoulder injury. This meant they had to stop practicing lifts for a while.

They started the 2011–12 season with wins at the 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy and the 2011 Ondrej Nepela Memorial. Maxim also had a groin injury.

On the Grand Prix series, they won Skate Canada and the 2011 Trophée Eric Bompard. This qualified them for the Grand Prix Final. They won the short program but finished second overall, earning a silver medal. They decided to miss the Russian Nationals to recover from their injuries.

At the 2012 European Championships, they won their first European title. They were first in both parts of the competition. At the 2012 World Championships in Nice, France, they had a fall in the short program. But they came back strong in the free skate, finishing first in that part. They won their second World silver medal, just behind Savchenko and Szolkowy.

2012–2013 Season: World Champions!

Volosozhar and Trankov at the 2013 World Championships podium.

For the 2012–13 season, they trained in the U.S. and Italy. Volosozhar and Trankov won both of their Grand Prix events: the 2012 Skate America and the 2012 Cup of Russia. This qualified them for the 2012–13 Grand Prix Final in Sochi, Russia. They won the gold medal there! They then won their second national title at the 2013 Russian Championships.

Maxim's father passed away in January 2013, just before the 2013 European Championships. Despite this sad news, they decided to compete. They won the gold medal, finishing ahead of Savchenko and Szolkowy. Tatiana said it was hard to stay positive, but they were glad they competed.

In March, the pair won their first World title at the 2013 World Championships. They were first in both programs. They set new world records for the free skate and total score! They became Russia's first pairs gold medalists at Worlds since 2005. At their first team event, the 2013 World Team Trophy, they placed first in pairs. Team Russia finished fourth overall.

2013–2014 Season: Olympic Glory

Trankov at the awarding ceremony for Russian athletes with President Vladimir Putin

Volosozhar and Trankov trained in several places for the 2013–14 season. They started their season by winning gold at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy. They even broke their own world record scores! They also won gold at their two Grand Prix events: the 2013 Skate America and 2013 NHK Trophy. At Skate America, they broke their world records again! They then won the gold medal at the 2014 European Championships.

Volosozhar and Trankov competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. They were part of the new team event. They placed first in their part, and Team Russia won the gold medal!

In the main pairs event, Volosozhar and Trankov broke their world record again in the short program. They then won the free skate, earning the gold medal! They finished far ahead of their teammates, Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov. Maxim was chosen to be the flag bearer for Russia at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics. They received a special award from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

2014–2015 Season: Taking a Break

For the 2014–2015 Grand Prix season, Volosozhar and Trankov decided not to compete. Maxim had a shoulder injury that needed surgery. They took the whole season off for his recovery.

2015–2016 Season: A Strong Comeback

After taking a season off, Volosozhar and Trankov returned to competition at the 2015 Nebelhorn Trophy. They won the gold medal! They were assigned to the 2015 Trophée Éric Bompard and the 2015 NHK Trophy for their Grand Prix events. They were first in the short program at the Trophee Eric Bompard. The second day of the competition was cancelled due to the November 2015 Paris attacks. They had to withdraw from the NHK Trophy because Tatiana got injured.

After Tatiana recovered, they competed at the 2016 Russian Championships. They won their third national title!

In January, Volosozhar and Trankov competed at the 2016 European Championships. They won their fourth European title! They finished more than 22 points ahead of the second-place team.

2016–2017 Season: Family Time

Volosozhar and Trankov decided to skip the 2016–2017 season. They announced they were expecting their first baby.

Television Appearances

Maxim appeared in the sixth season of the ice show contest Ice Age.

Skating Programs

Maxim and his partners performed to many different types of music for their skating programs. Each season, they chose new music for their short program, free skate, and exhibition routines.

Programs with Tatiana Volosozhar

Programs with Maria Mukhortova

Competitive Achievements

Volosozhar and Trankov at the 2013 Skate America

Volosozhar and Trankov at the 2012 Nebelhorn Trophy

With Tatiana Volosozhar

With Maria Mukhortova

Trankov and former partner Maria Mukhortova at the 2009 Trophée Eric Bompard

Detailed Results

Volosozhar and Trankov at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy

Volosozhar and Trankov at the 2012–13 Grand Prix Final

Volosozhar and Trankov at the 2011 World Championships

(Small medals for short and free programs are only given at big ISU Championships like Worlds, Europeans, and Junior Worlds. At team events, medals are only given for the team's overall result.)

With Tatiana Volosozhar

Images for kids

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  Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov in Art on Ice 2014

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  Volosozhar and Trankov at the 2012 World Championships

See also

In Spanish: Maksim Trankov para niños