Figure skater Adeliia Petrosian decided to leave coach Eteri Tutberidze to work with Inna Goncharenko because she wants a coach who treats her as a mature athlete rather than a child, according to 2016 world bronze medalist Anna Pogorilaya. The transition, announced in late August, surprised the figure skating community given Goncharenko’s recent absence from competitive coaching.
Petrosian officially parted ways with Tutberidze’s group in July.
Why Petrosian Chose Goncharenko
Speaking to Match TV, Pogorilaya explained that the move stems from Petrosian’s desire for a different dynamic in her daily training environment. While acknowledging that the choice caught many observers off guard due to Goncharenko’s long break from high-level coaching, Pogorilaya emphasized the stylistic fit.
“I’ve known Inna Germanovna personally; she is a coach for adult athletes,” Pogorilaya told Match TV, as reported by Sports.ru. “She was very demanding—I remember how she coached Elena Radionova—but at the same time, she communicated with the athlete as an adult. I think that is what Adeliia wants to get. She wants people to communicate with her as a formed, adult athlete, and not as a child.”
Other skating figures also weighed in on the sudden shift. Pair skater Aleksandr Enbert suggested to Match TV that Petrosian’s difficult previous season, marked by injuries, likely drove her to seek a fresh start.
Tight Timelines and Training Realities
The coaching change arrives with distinct logistical hurdles. Pogorilaya pointed out that Petrosian and Goncharenko face exceptionally compressed timelines to prepare routines and build chemistry ahead of the competitive calendar.
Despite the challenges, supporters have rallied behind the partnership.
Next Steps for Petrosian
Petrosian has not yet announced her exact competitive debut under Goncharenko. Russian skating officials and domestic cup events will provide the next official checkpoint for the skater as she adapts to her new training base and prepares for the ongoing season.
