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Figure Skater Maxim Naumov Endures Devastating Loss After Parents’ Tragic Accident
Just days after achieving fourth place at the U.S. Figure Skating Championship, figure skater Maxim Naumov experienced an unforeseen and heartbreaking tragedy. His parents, former Olympians Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, tragically perished on January 29 in a mid-air collision over Washington, D.C., involving a military Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines aircraft. This devastating event has deeply impacted the figure skating community.
Parents Among Victims of Plane Collision
The midair collision resulted in the loss of sixty-seven lives, including 28 individuals connected to the figure skating world. Naumov, 23, shared in an interview that his parents had altered their flight arrangements shortly before the calamitous incident. In a conversation with “TODAY” co-anchor Craig Melvin, Naumov recounted receiving a message from his mother about the flight change and their expected arrival.
“My mom let me know that they’re switching flights and that if I could pick them up,” Naumov stated. “My mom always texts me and calls me as soon as they land.” Tragically, the anticipated call never came.
Details of the Fatal Flight
American Eagle Flight 5342, carrying 64 passengers, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, when the collision occurred with a Black Hawk Army helicopter carrying three occupants. This marked a significant aviation accident, being the first major incident involving a U.S. commercial airliner since 2009.
A Legacy of Skating and Family
Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were celebrated Russian Olympians and world champions in figure skating. Following their competitive careers, they established themselves in the U.S., transitioning into coaching roles while raising their son, Maxim.
“They were beautiful people. They were so incredibly kind,” Maxim Naumov reflected, expressing his approach to coping with the profound grief. “The only way out is through. There’s no other way. There are no options but to keep going. I don’t have the strength or the passion or the drive, or the dedication of one person anymore. It’s three people.”
Emotional Return to the Ice
On March 2, Naumov made a poignant return to the ice rink, his first time skating since the death of his parents. He performed at the “Legacy on Ice” event in Washington, D.C., a tribute dedicated to all the lives lost in the accident. Following his emotionally charged performance, Naumov was overcome with emotion and fell to his knees.
“I skated truly, like, from my heart, like, genuinely. I wasn’t thinking about the steps, I wasn’t thinking about the jumps or the spins or anything like that,” he explained. “I just let my body go, and I’ve never felt that before.”
He further commented, “I just had such an overwhelming emotion of love in that moment.”
Naumov’s Future and Family’s Influence
Looking ahead, Naumov has not yet finalized his plans within the sport. He currently holds an alternate position with the U.S. national team. Additionally, he has taken on the responsibility of managing the youth academy program his parents established at the Skating Club of Boston.
“I would not be the person I am today without them. Their love — and their care, and attention to detail was evident in each stage of my life,” he concluded. “They were always like superheroes to me.”