Oksans DomninaRussian pair

skater

This presentation is made by Mirzoyeva Emilia Shakirovna, english teacher, school №47, Kirov

BeginningOksana was born on

August 17, 1984 in Kirov. When she was six her parents took her to an

open rink, but only three months later she gets selected to take ice skating lessons on

artificial ice, and gets immediately admitted into the ice dancing

group. She learns the basics on her own

PartnersAfter two years Oksana is paired with

Anton Rjabov. She places 8th at Senior Russian Nationals and 9th at Junior Russian

Nationals with her next partner Ivan Lobanov. But at the end of the season the couple splits up: Oksana gets invited to

skate in Moscow by trainer Alexei Gorshkov. Oksana's first partnership in

Moscow is with Maxim Bolotin. Their first season together proves to be very

successful, with a placement in the Junior Grand Prix final, and a bronze medal at the

Junior Russian Nationals. But later on, a lack of understanding between the

partners and the inability to reach further progress lead to the couple's break-up.

That's when Maxim Shabalin comes into the picture!

Oksana and Maxim teamed up in May 2002 under the guidance of their coach Alexei Gorshkov and choreographer Sergei Petukhov. During their first season the couple won all the junior competitions they entered, including the ISU Grand Prix Final and the World Championships. After the 2006 Olympics their career got a new impulse and they became by right part of the world's elite of ice dancing. The 2007-2008 season was marked by victories at all major events like the Grand Prix Final and the European Championships.

Maxim Shabalin and Maxim Shabalin

Australian Aboriginal folk Their original dance based on Australian Aboriginal folk dances sparked controversy in early 2010. Australian Aboriginal leaders were

offended by the dance. Domnina / Shabalin said they meant no disrespect and would do the dance at the Olympics. When it was first

skated at the 2010 Russian Championships, they wore face makeup but removed it for the 2010 European Championships. Domnina /

Shabalin won the bronze medal at the 2010 Olympics.

In July 2010, Domnina announced that she was not ready to retire, despite the insistence of her mother and boyfriend to leave the sport. She also denied rumors suggesting she would team up with Roman Kostomarov but added "Never say never.

Rumors