Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –
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Mikhail Shaidorov, a graduate of the RUDN University branch in Sochi, has won the gold medal in men’s single figure skating at the Milan Olympics. The athlete competed for Kazakhstan.Olympics.
After the short program, he was only in the fifth place in the competition. Mikhail Shaidorov delivered a winning free skate set to the music from the film “The Fifth Element”. He successfully landed an additional fifth quadruple jump (a flip) beyond his initially planned four. As a result, the athlete took the first place and became an Olympic champion.
Congratulations from RUDN University
The university staff congratulates Mikhail on his victory.
“The greatest asset of RUDN University is its graduates, among whom are presidents, ministers, and Olympic champions. Mikhail has become another Olympic champion among the university’s students; he graduated from our Sochi branch. On behalf of the entire RUDN family, we congratulate Mikhail on his Olympic gold and we are proud of him,” — said Oleg Yastrebov, Rector of RUDN University.
“Olympic legacy in action. In 2024, Mikhail completed his secondary vocational education in Physical Education and received his diploma. Throughout all four years, he studied diligently, attending all classes and lectures. At the same time, he was trained by Russia’s renowned 1994 Olympic champion Alexei Urmanov on our 2014 Sochi Olympics ice” — said Kristina Mrug, Deputy Director for Strategic Communications at RUDN University branch in Sochi.
Kristina Vladimirovna noted that Shaidorov’s performance in Milan was watched by both students and faculty.
“The entire university, both the secondary vocational and higher education departments, was rooting for Misha. Even when we realized he wasn’t in the top five after the last Grand Prix events, we still watched just to support him. No one expected to see this Olympic medal. At the dormitory we were told that our staff were in tears. We are so proud of our graduate, we have a new Olympic champion” — said Kristina Mrug.
About the Olympic Champion
Earlier, in 2024, Mikhail Shaidorov brilliantly defended his final qualification work at RUDN University branch in Sochi on the topic “Ultra-C” Elements in Figure Skating. His academic supervisor was Evgeniy Velikanov, a lecturer in the secondary vocational education department. In his work, Mikhail described “Ultra-C” elements — elements of the highest degree of difficulty in figure skating that require maximum technical preparation. These include all quadruple jumps, the triple axel, as well as complex jump combinations. The examples in the work were provided from Mikhail’s own experience.
After graduation, Mikhail Shaidorov maintains contact with the Sochi branch of RUDN University, his professors, and the tutor of his student group — Dmitry Igorevich Dogadov. According to Dmitry Dogadov, Mikhail diligently completed assignments in his academic disciplines, passed all his tests and exams along with everyone else, and still found time to actively participate in the university’s extracurricular activities. The tutor describes Mikhail as a kind person whose success hasn’t gone to his head and who has not lost his wonderful human qualities.
“Mikhail’s success is the best example for current and future students, proving that perseverance, iron discipline, and loyalty to one’s goal lead to the highest world tops! May this Olympic triumph become a powerful motivation for the development of sports in our secondary vocational education department and inspire many young people to new achievements!” — said Daria Dymova, Head of the Secondary Vocational Education Department.
About the Physical Education Program at the Sochi Branch
The Physical Education program at the RUDN University branch in Sochi enrolls Masters of Sport and Candidates for Master of Sport, as well as national and world champions in various sports. The curriculum is made with the specific requirements of the field in mind and is aimed at maximizing the professional development of young athletes and future coaches. Among the disciplines are: “Fundamentals of Sports Training,” “Basic and New Types of Physical Education and Sports Activities,” “Human Anatomy and Physiology,” “Hygienic Foundations of Physical Education and Sports,” and others.
A year ago, Mikhail became the first figure skater in world history to land a quadruple toe loop as the second jump in a combination. Shaidorov brought the first medal for the Kazakhstan national team at the current Games. He is 21 years old. The athlete continues to train under the guidance of Alexei Urmanov. In 2025, he became the silver medalist at the World Championship.
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