Robin Szolkowy
Robin Szolkowy: The German Figure Skater Who Pushed the Limits of Pairs Skating
Robin Szolkowy is a retired German pair figure skater, born on July 14, 1979, in Greifswald, East Germany.
Szolkowy began his skating career at the age of six and initially skated in singles before switching to pairs. He partnered with partner Romy Kermer in 1997, and they won the German national title in 2001. However, they split shortly afterward, and Szolkowy began looking for a new partner.
In 2003, Szolkowy teamed up with Aliona Savchenko, and they quickly established themselves as one of the top pairs in the world. They won their first medal at the European Championships in 2004 and went on to win six more European titles over the years. They also won four World Championships, in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012, and were the first German pair to win Olympic medals in figure skating, winning the bronze medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Szolkowy's skating career spanned over two decades, during which he won numerous titles and awards. He and Savchenko were known for their consistency, technical proficiency, and artistic expression, which earned them high marks from judges and fans alike.
In addition to their Olympic and World Championship successes, Szolkowy and Savchenko won multiple Grand Prix titles, including the Grand Prix Final in 2007, 2010, and 2011. They were also awarded the German Figure Skating Prize multiple times and were inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2018.
Off the ice, Szolkowy was known for his dedication and work ethic, as well as his kind and approachable personality. He often gave back to the skating community by coaching and mentoring younger skaters, and he was highly respected by his peers.
After retiring from competitive skating in 2014, Szolkowy became a coach and choreographer, working with a number of prominent skaters, including Russian pairs team Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov. He has also worked as a commentator and analyst for various skating events, sharing his insights and expertise with fans around the world. In 2019, Szolkowy began coaching in the United States.
Robin Szolkowy achievements in sports
Robin Szolkowy achieved great success in pairs figure skating throughout his career. Here are some of his notable achievements:
Four-time World Champion (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)
Seven-time European Champion (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
Two-time Olympic medalist (bronze in 2010, silver in 2014)
Three-time Grand Prix Final champion (2007-2009)
German National Champion with Romy Kermer (2001)
Multiple other Grand Prix medals and international titles.
Szolkowy was known for his strong technical skills, particularly his lifts and throws, as well as his ability to perform complex and innovative programs with his partner Aliona Savchenko. Together, they pushed the boundaries of pairs skating and left a lasting impact on the sport