A Morden teen is winning medals and breaking ground in the sport of figure skating.
Galina Annamuradova came home from the Skate Manitoba provincials this spring with another gold medal to add to her growing collection.
The 15-year-old has been skating with the Morden Figure Skating Club for the better part of a decade, but has only begun competing in the Special Olympics category at Skate Manitoba events within the last few years.
Annamuradova, who is autistic, has been the only Manitoba skater taking part in that category in that time, but she was thrilled to get to meet a second young female Special O skater at the provincials in Stonewall at the end of March.
“For years we were fighting for that, because for so many years nobody else was in that category,” says proud mom Sasha Pashchenko, noting Manitoba used to have several Special O skaters years ago, but the numbers eventually dwindled to none. As a result, the province hasn’t been represented at Special Olympics figure skating competitions in some time.
“No one wants to be first, but we were, and now we’re so excited to see it grow,” Pashchenko said. “And hopefully more kids will be added to this category.”
Pashchenko recalls they were trying to find a sport Annamuradova might thrive at.
“Because she’s a special girl with special needs,” she said, noting that skating seemed the perfect fit, offering both individual accomplishment and a team atmosphere. Pashchenko shared that the skating club has proven to be an incredible welcoming group. “They are all so amazingly supportive, the team is. We have an amazing figure skating community here.”
Three years ago, skating club head coach Pam Parker suggested Annamuradova could work towards representing Manitoba on the national stage with Special Olympics.
“Galina started with us in CanSkate [the club’s learn-to-skate program], and she grew and kept progressing through the levels,” Parker said. “So when it became a time where she could start to compete, she could have either gone into the regular system or the Special Olympics system. Knowing that there was some more opportunities for her to experience some trips and different levels of competition, we leaned towards the Special O pathway.”
“I said, okay, if you think she’s ready let’s try it. And three years later, look at this amazing stuff,” Pashchenko said, gesturing to the medals Annamuradova has earned since.
“During these three years we started to think what is the next step? We contacted Special Olympics Manitoba … and they were so excited” to learn about Annamuradova and her success, Pashchenko said of the agency which oversees sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities across the province.
Annamuradova is on track to represent Manitoba in the Special O category of figure skating at the Canada Games in Quebec next winter. She also has an opportunity to compete in provincial and national Special Olympics-specific competitions in the years ahead.
“It’s nice to be able to see her have that opportunity to make more connections with people with the same background as her,” said Parker. “I’m very proud of her for everything she’s accomplished.”
“We have so many families here with children with special needs, and they are watching us, excited to see the results we have now,” Pashchenko said, noting they hope it inspires other families to get their kids involved in sports. “Families who are waiting to bring their kids on the ice, they see that they can do it too … I just want to send them the message to join us. This [skating] community is inclusive for all kids, and I’m so grateful for that.”
Annamuradova is a bit tight-lipped about all the fuss but shared she does enjoy getting the chance to compete as a solo skater as well as skating with her club’s synchronized skating team, the Pembina Pizazz.
“I like both,” she said, noting that performances can be a stressful experience, what with the noise of the crowd, but she’s worked hard on developing her ability to focus on the routine in front of her, pushing out all the background noise when she’s on the ice.
Her advice to other youth thinking of taking up skating? Be prepared to practice. Annamuradova hits the ice three times a week throughout the season to fine-tune her moves.
“The waltz walk or one-foot jump or back spins” are among her favourites, she shared.
Parker notes Annamuradova’s one-on-one coach, Asten McGill, is currently obtaining her Special O coaching certification, and other local coaches may follow suit.
“There might be a few more that will also take it so we have the skills and learn different ways that work best for Galina to help her achieve all that she can,” she said, noting they’d also love to see more special needs kids get involved with the sport.
“We’re always open to helping anybody in any capacity, no matter what their needs are. It helps create a more inclusive club. The kids all encourage each other and they know everybody can be different, and we just accept that. I think it’s been really cool for our club as a whole and all the young athletes coming up to see how we communicate with [Galina] and help her.
“She brings a lot of unique talents as well,” Parker added. “She has a very keen sense of music—she can tell the beat in the music, she always knows exactly where it is. So for instance, on our synchronized skating team … she can quickly pick up the musical cues in the music and know exactly where everything should be instantly.
“She’s really stepped up this year. She was more confident to be a little bit of a leader on the team because she was the one that was able to always know exactly when the next element should happen, so it’s really helped the younger kids, which is very cool to see happening.”
