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 Russian Championships Gold 2011 Saransk Pairs Gold 2013 Sochi Pairs Gold 2016 Yekaterinburg Pairs Representing  Russia (with Mukhortova) Pairs' Figure skating European Championships Silver 2008 Zagreb Pairs Bronze 2009 Helsinki Pairs Bronze 2010 Tallinn Pairs Russian Championships Gold 2007 Mytishchi Pairs Silver 2008 Saint Petersburg Pairs Silver 2009 Kazan Pairs Silver 2010 Saint Petersburg Pairs Bronze 2006 Kazan 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 October 7, 1983) is a famous Russian pair skater. He is best known for his amazing performances with his partner, Tatiana Volosozhar.

Together, Maxim and Tatiana won two gold medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. They won in both the pairs event and the new team event. They were also the 2013 World champions.

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

Before skating with Tatiana, Maxim also had great success with his former partner, Maria Mukhortova. With Maria, he won a silver medal at the European Championships in 2008. They were also the Russian national champions in 2007. In 2005, they became World Junior champions.

Maxim and Tatiana made history at the 2014 Olympics. They were the first figure skaters ever to win two gold medals at the same Olympic Games. This showed how talented and dedicated they were.

Maxim Trankov's Personal Life

Maxim Trankov was born in Perm. His family was very athletic. 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 January 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 engaged. They got married on August 18, 2015. Their daughter, Angelika, was born in February 2017. In January 2021, Tatiana shared that they were expecting a son. Their son, Theodore, was born in May 2021.

Maxim's Early Skating Years

Maxim Trankov first started skating in 1987 in Perm. 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 growing 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 quickly began to enjoy it.

He first skated with Olesya Korchagina, then Ksenia Vasilieva, and later Irina Bogomolova. In 1999, when he was 15, he moved to Saint Petersburg. There, he began skating with Irina Ulanova.

Maxim and another pair skater, Alexander Smirnov, lived at the rink for a while. They sometimes slept in the stands or coaches' room. They didn't always have enough food. But they told their parents they were staying in a dormitory. After three 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. This was due to differences in their height and jumping styles.

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

Partnership with Maria Mukhortova

Mukhortova and Trankov at the 2010 European Championships

Maxim Trankov and Maria Mukhortova became partners in 2003. They were coached by Ludmila and Nikolai Velikov. In their first season, 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 the junior Grand Prix series. They also started competing in senior events. They finished sixth 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 placed seventh at Skate Canada and fourth at Cup of Russia. They won a bronze medal at the Russian Nationals. They then competed at the 2006 World Championships, finishing 12th.

Maxim and Maria were known for their strong personalities. They often changed coaches. After the 2006 World Championships, they switched to Tamara Moskvina. They had many arguments and even split up briefly. Maxim was interested in skating with Tatiana Volosozhar. But he thought she was happy with her partner. He went back to skating with Maria.

The arguments continued, and they moved to coach Artur Dmitriev in August 2006. In late 2006, they almost quit skating together. However, 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 placed fifth at Skate America and seventh at Cup of Russia. They won the Russian national title. But Maria got injured, so they had to withdraw from the 2007 European Championships. They returned for the World Championships, finishing 11th.

The next season, they won their first Grand Prix medal, a bronze at 2007 Trophée Eric Bompard. They placed fourth at Cup of Russia. They finished second at the Russian Nationals. At the 2008 European Championships, they won the silver medal. They placed seventh at the 2008 World Championships. Maxim had an arm injury during their long program at Worlds.

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

Maxim had a neck injury during the 2008–09 season. This injury made his future in skating uncertain for a while. Maria even tried out with a French skater.

In the 2008–09 season, Maxim and Maria did very well in their short programs. But they often struggled in the long programs. They won bronze at 2008 Skate America and silver at 2008 Trophée Eric Bompard. This qualified them for their first senior Grand Prix Final, where they finished sixth. They won bronze at the 2009 European Championships. They finished fifth at the 2009 World Championships.

For the 2009–10 season, they won gold at the Trophee Eric Bompard. They set a new personal best score. They won a silver medal at Skate Canada. They also won another bronze medal at the 2010 European Championships. The pair finished seventh at the 2010 Winter Olympics. They were fourth at the 2010 World Championships. Soon after, they decided to end their partnership. Maxim felt a lot of tension with their coach, Oleg Vasiliev. He even thought about retiring from skating.

Partnership with Tatiana Volosozhar

Starting a New Journey

In March 2010, there were rumors that Maxim might team up with Ukrainian skater Tatiana Volosozhar.

Maxim moved to Moscow to train with Tatiana. They started training together in May 2010. Their coach was Nina Mozer. Stanislav Morozov helped them with their skating moves. They had different techniques, so they had to adjust to each other. Tatiana had to change how she entered the twist lift. Maxim had to change his jumps to match her.

2010–2011 Season: First Steps to Success

Maxim and Tatiana first competed in Russian events. In December 2010, they won gold at the 2011 Russian Championships. They beat the reigning national champions.

Tatiana could not compete internationally for one year. This was because she had last represented Ukraine at the 2010 Winter Olympics. So, they missed most of the 2010–11 season. This included the Grand Prix series and the European Championships. She became eligible for international events in February 2011. They competed at the Mont Blanc Trophy to qualify for the World Championships. They easily won the event.

They arrived in Tokyo for the World Championships just before a major earthquake. The event was moved to Moscow. At the 2011 Worlds, Maxim and Tatiana won the silver medal. They finished behind the 2008–09 champions. This was the first World medal for both of them. They were one of the few pairs to win a World medal in their first season together. People were very impressed by how quickly they improved.

2011–2012 Season: Building Momentum

Volosozhar/Trankov at 2012 World Championships.

Volosozhar and Trankov at the 2011 Trophée Bompard

During the break, Maxim and Tatiana performed in shows. They also trained in Novogorsk and New Jersey. Maxim had a shoulder injury in the summer. This meant they couldn't practice lifts for a while.

They started the 2011–12 season with wins in September. They won the 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy and the 2011 Ondrej Nepela Memorial. Maxim had a groin injury at the Nepela Memorial. On the Grand Prix series, they won Skate Canada and the 2011 Trophée Eric Bompard. This qualified them for the Grand Prix Final.

At the Grand Prix Final, they were first after the short program. But they finished second in the free skate. They won the silver medal, losing by only 0.18 points. They decided to miss the Russian Nationals to recover from their injuries.

At the 2012 European Championships, they won their first European title. They placed first in both programs. At the 2012 World Championships in Nice, France, they were eighth after the short program. Both fell on a death spiral. Maxim mentioned the ice quality was difficult. However, they came back strong in the free skate. They placed first with a new personal best score. They won their second World silver medal.

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. Maxim and Tatiana won both of their Grand Prix events. These were the 2012 Skate America and the 2012 Cup of Russia. They qualified for the 2012–13 Grand Prix Final in Sochi, Russia. At the Final, they won the gold medal. 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, they decided to compete. They won gold at the European Championships. Tatiana said it was hard to stay positive, but they were glad they competed.

Maxim and Tatiana then trained in New Jersey before the 2013 World Championships in London, Ontario. In March, they won their first World title! They placed first in both programs. They finished more than 20 points ahead of the silver medalists. They set new world records for the free skate and total score. They were Russia's first pairs gold medalists 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

Maxim and Tatiana trained in Moscow, Sochi, New Jersey, and Italy. They started their season with a gold medal at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy. They broke their own world record scores. They also won gold at their two Grand Prix events. These were the 2013 Skate America and 2013 NHK Trophy. At Skate America, they broke their world records again. They achieved scores of 83.05 (short program), 154.66 (free skate), and 237.71 (total).

They qualified for their third Grand Prix Final. They finished second there. Then, they won the gold medal at the 2014 European Championships.

Maxim and Tatiana competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. They were chosen for the short program in the new team event. They placed first in their part, and Team Russia won the gold medal. In the pairs event, they broke their world record again. They scored 84.17 in the short program. They also placed first in the free skate. They won the gold medal with a total score of 236.86 points. They were more than 18 points ahead of the silver medalists. Maxim was 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, Maxim and Tatiana were supposed to compete at Skate America and Rostelecom Cup. However, they decided to withdraw. Maxim had a shoulder injury that needed surgery. They chose to sit out the entire season so Maxim could recover.

2015–2016 Season: A Strong Return

After missing a season, Maxim and Tatiana returned to competition. They won the gold medal at the 2015 Nebelhorn Trophy. They were assigned to the 2015 Trophée Éric Bompard and the 2015 NHK Trophy. They were first in the short program at the Trophee Eric Bompard. The second day of the competition was canceled due to events in Paris. They withdrew from the NHK Trophy because Tatiana had an injury.

After Tatiana recovered, they competed at the 2016 Russian Championships. They placed first in both programs and won their third National title. In January 2016, they competed at the 2016 European Championships. They won their fourth European title. They scored 222.66 points, beating the second-place team by over 22 points.

2016–2017 Season: Family Time

Maxim and Tatiana decided to skip the 2016–2017 season. They announced they were expecting a baby.

Television Appearances

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

Skating Programs

Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov in Art on Ice 2014

Volosozhar and Trankov at the 2012 World Championships

Programs with Tatiana Volosozhar

Programs with Maria Mukhortova

Competitive Highlights

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 awarded only at ISU Championships — Worlds, Europeans, and Junior Worlds. At team events, medals awarded for team results only.)

With Tatiana Volosozhar

See also

In Spanish: Maksim Trankov para niños