Russian champion figure skater refused to play for Russia and changed her citizenship

Sofia Titova, the winner of the Russian Junior Figure Skating Grand Prix, the medalist of the Moscow Championship and the Russian champion in jumping (2022), has been granted Armenian citizenship, R-Sport reports, citing the Armenian Figure Skating Federation. The 15-year-old Muscovite trained at the academy of two-time Olympic champion Yevgeny Plyushchenko.

"The issue of Titova's Armenian citizenship has been resolved. The figure skater can legally represent Armenia," the Armenian Federation said.

Last season, Titova took first place at the Angelika Krylova and Oleg Ovsyannikov prize tournament, third place at the Heart of Russia national competition, and tenth place at the Idel national competition.

The titled athlete has already received an exemption from the Russian Figure Skating Federation (RFSF).

It should be noted that following the events of February 24 last year, Russia has seen a massive outflow of athletes.

For example, Azamat Tuskaev, the 2020 European champion in freestyle wrestling in the 57 kg weight category and winner of the Russian championships (2013, 2015, 2020, 2021), recently decided to play for Serbia.

Kristina Silayeva, the reigning winner of the Russian Speed Skating Championships in the 500 meters, will compete under the flag of Kazakhstan. According to the 23-year-old athlete, she is no longer training for Russia and made her decision to change her citizenship in early spring.

The famous Russian swimmer Anastasia Kirpichnikova has decided to also compete for the French national team.

Sofia Prosvirnova, a four-time world championship medalist and five-time European short track champion, refused to play for Russia, having received a Danish passport.

Prior to that, the Russian former world heavyweight champion Murat Gassiev was granted Armenian citizenship.

Earlier it became known that Viktor Plitsev, a two-time winner of the World Biathlon Championships among boys and juniors, received the sports citizenship of North Macedonia.

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