Roman Serov

 

The Remarkable Journey of Roman Serov: From Russian Figure Skater to Israeli Champion and Esteemed Coach

Roman Serov (born December 16, 1976, in Moscow) is a Russian-born figure skater and coach who has represented both Russia and Israel in international competitions. He is notable for his achievements on the Grand Prix circuit and his success as an Israeli national champion.

Early Life and Skating Career in Russia

Serov began his figure skating career in Russia. He showed promise early on, twice placing 4th at the Russian Championships. During this period, he also earned medals at the Cup of Russia and the Finlandia Trophy. His performance at the 2001 Winter Universiade in Zakopane was a highlight, where he secured a gold medal in men's singles figure skating.

Transition to Competing for Israel

Following his marriage to an Israeli national, Serov transitioned to representing Israel in the 2003-2004 season after a mandatory waiting period. His decision to switch allegiances was a significant move in his career, influenced by his personal life. Competing for Israel, Serov participated in the European and World Figure Skating Championships in 2005 and 2006. However, despite his skills and contributions to the sport, he was not eligible to compete in the 2006 Winter Olympics due to citizenship and residency requirements.

Coaching Career

After retiring from competitive skating, Serov moved into coaching. One of his notable coaching engagements has been with Georgian figure skater Elene Gedevanishvili. Serov is currently based at the Ice House Arena in Hackensack, New Jersey, where he continues to contribute to the sport by training new generations of skaters.

Personal Life

Roman Serov's personal life has also been marked by significant events. He married skater Rachel Lior in August 2004, and the couple had a daughter in 2006. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 2007. Serov later married Anna Zadorozhniuk in 2011.

Skating Programs

Throughout his career, Serov performed to a variety of musical pieces. Some of his notable programs include:

  • 2005–2006: Short program to "The Truman Show" and free skating to a techno mix titled "World of Technology" and "Children" by Robert Miles.

  • 2004–2005: Short program to "Rhapsody in Rock" by Robert Wells and free skating to a techno mix "World of Technology" and "Beethoven's Last Night" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

  • 2003–2004: Short program to "Rhapsody in Rock" by Robert Wells and free skating to soundtracks from "On the Waterfront" by Leonard Bernstein and "Lawrence of Arabia" by Maurice Jarre.

Competitive Results

Serov has a record of competitive results, including:

  • 19th at the World Championships in 2004 and 18th in 2005

  • 13th at the European Championships in 2004 and 22nd in 2005

  • 2nd place at the Grand Prix Cup of Russia

  • 3rd place at the Grand Prix Lalique

  • Multiple 1st place finishes at Skate Israel and Finlandia Trophy

Legacy

Roman Serov's journey from a competitive figure skater in Russia to an accomplished representative of Israel and now a dedicated coach in the United States highlights his passion for the sport. His contributions continue to influence the figure skating community, both on and off the ice.