Maxim Andreyevich Shabalin (; born 25 January 1982) is a Russian former competitive ice dancer. He and partner Oksana Domnina are the 2010 Olympic bronze medalists, the 2009 World Champions, the 2008 & 2010 European Champions, the 2007 Grand Prix Final champions, and three-time (2005, 2007, 2010) Russian national champions.
Career
Early career Shabalin began skating aged four in Samara – although pushed into the sport by his parents, he grew to enjoy it by the age of 11. He began competing in ice dancing aged 11 or 12. At the age of 15, he moved to Bulgaria to skate with Margarita Toteva for that country but the partnership ended due to her injury. He then competed with Elena Khalyavina for Russia.
Partnership with Domnina Shabalin was paired with Oksana Domnina in May 2002 by coach Alexei Gorshkov. In their first season together, they won every junior level competition they entered, including the 2002–03 Junior Grand Prix Final and the 2003 World Junior Championships.
Shabalin sustained a meniscus injury in spring 2007 and had surgery on his right knee in May. They initially worked on a free dance to Schindler's List but when they wanted to add a faster section they thought it looked too much like a hodgepodge; after consultation with Tatiana Tarasova, they began working on a new free dance to Masquerade Waltz at the start of August. In September 2007, Shabalin also had surgery due to appendicitis. He then had problems with his left knee and had another operation in December. He returned to win the 2008 Europeans but limped off the ice. The pain persisted despite therapy, preventing them from training fully and resulting in their withdrawal from the 2008 World Championships. Shabalin spent five weeks in treatment in Munich, Germany, while Domnina trained on her own in Odintsovo, near Moscow.
In June 2008, Domnina/Shabalin announced they were leaving their longtime coach Alexei Gorshkov and moving from Russia to the United States to train with husband-and-wife coaches Natalia Linichuk and Gennadi Karponosov at the IceWorks Skating Complex in Aston, Pennsylvania. The move was considered surprising as their rivals Tanith Belbin / Benjamin Agosto had also moved to the same coaches a couple months prior, but Domnina said the competition at the rink was stimulating.
Domnina/Shabalin won the silver medal at the 2008-09 Grand Prix Final, and then took gold at 2009 Worlds. Afterwards, Shabalin returned to Germany for another four months of therapy on his left knee. They missed the 2009–10 Grand Prix series as a result of his knee problems. They resumed training in November 2009. Shabalin decided to use a brace in practice and competition to limit the movement and protect his knee.
Their original dance based on Australian Aboriginal folk dances sparked controversy in early 2010. Australian Aboriginal leaders were offended by the dance. Domnina/Shabalin said they meant no disrespect and would do the dance at the Olympics. When it was first skated at the 2010 Russian Championships, they wore face makeup but removed it for the 2010 European Championships. Domnina/Shabalin won the bronze medal at the 2010 Olympics and withdrew from the World Championships as a result of continued problems with his knee. He was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Shabalin received the Overcoming Award at the 2010 Crystal Ice Awards held in October 2010 in Moscow. He was also appointed head coach of the Russian national ice dancing team.
Television He appeared in the eighth season of ice show contest Ice Age.
Personal life Shabalin was born on 25 January 1982 in Samara, Russia. He studied civil administration. He married Russian actress Irina Grineva in November 2010. Their daughter, Vasilisa, was born on 6 July 2013 in Marbella, Spain.
Programs
With Domnina
Season Original dance Free dance Exhibition 2009–2010 Aboriginal dance The Double Life of Veronique Requiem for a Dream The Double Life of Veronique The Matrix 2008–2009 Lyric Waltz Waltz No. 2 Spartacus Gonna Fly Now 2007–2008 Cossack dance: Guys, Unsaddle Your Horses (Розпрягайте, хлопці, коні) Masquerade Waltz Tango Oblivion 2006–2007 Primavera Portena Invierno Porteño Polovtsian Dances Adagio
Another Brick in the Wall Proper Education 2005–2006 Paxi Ni Ngongo Chillando Goma Waltz of the Spirits: Ein Wiener Waltzer (A Viennese Waltz) Hermit Of The Sea Rock Ein Wiener Waltzer The Show Must Go On 2004–2005 I wait for you It Don't Mean a Thing Katana Groove Il dolce suono The Diva Dance Kill The Target Rap & Classica 2003–2004 Harlem Nocturne The Dirty Boogie Four Seasons Tango Brasileiro: Fanfarra Malagenha 2002–2003 Polka/Waltz Brasileiro: Fanfarra Malagenha Mungal
With Khalyavina Season Original dance Free dance 2001–2002 Paso doble Flamenco Paso doble Romeo and Juliet 2000–2001 My Guy Dancing Fool Anytime, Anywhere
Competitive highlights GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Series/Junior Grand Prix
With Domnina for Russia
International Event 02–03 03–04 04–05 05–06 06–07 07–08 08–09 09–10 Olympics 9th 3rd Worlds 15th 10th 8th 7th 5th 1st Europeans 12th 7th 6th 6th 2nd 1st WD 1st Final 5th 3rd 1st 2nd Cup of China 4th 1st 2nd 1st Cup of Russia 6th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st 2nd Skate America 3rd Skate Canada 6th Finlandia Trophy 2nd Schäfer Memorial 1st Skate Israel 2nd International: Junior Junior Worlds 1st Final 1st France 1st Serbia 1st National Russian Champ. 3rd 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 1st Russian Jr. Champ. 1st WD: Withdrew
With Khalyavina for Russia International Event 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 World Junior Champ. 10th 3rd 2nd Final 2nd 1st Czech Republic 1st Italy 1st Norway 3rd 1st Poland 1st Slovenia 1st National Russian Junior Champ. 3rd 2nd 1st
With Toteva for Bulgaria International Event 1997–98 World Junior Championships 14th Bulgaria 6th Slovakia 6th National Bulgarian Championships 2nd
References
External links