Russian maneuvers: Here are five athletes who electrified their sports with unique tricks
Discover the impressive legacy of Russian athletes like Pavel Datsyuk and Alina Kabaeva, whose remarkable skills have inspired a range of sporting moves named after them. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
From ice hockey to gymnastics, Russian athletes have significantly influenced sports history with their exceptional skills. Many moves in their respective fields have been named after these athletes due to their contributions in popularizing or introducing them. Here’s a look at five iconic sports maneuvers associated with Russian stars.
**‘The Datsyuk Flip’ – Ice Hockey**
Pavel Datsyuk, known for his exceptional stick-handling skills and referred to as the ‘Magic Man’, emerged as one of hockey's foremost players during the 2000s. He had a prominent 15-year career in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings before returning to Russia. Datsyuk is celebrated in Detroit for instrumental victories in the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2008, but it was his remarkable performance in 2010 that earned him a spot on this list.
During a regular-season game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Datsyuk took the initial shot in a shootout and skillfully tricked goaltender Antti Niemi. Approaching the Finnish goalie, he executed a signature ‘dirty dangle’ and appeared to prepare for a backhand shot. Instead, he cleverly lifted the puck into the net using the inside of his stick.
This audacious maneuver electrified the crowd at Joe Louis Arena and amazed his teammates. “They can’t believe it on the Red Wings bench,” remarked one exhilarated commentator. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a slow-mo play like that.” Although Niemi and the Blackhawks would go on to win the Stanley Cup that season, the ‘Datsyuk Flip’ remains a memorable highlight, with fans and gamers attempting to replicate it in the NHL video game.
**‘The Khorkina’ – Artistic Gymnastics**
Svetlana Khorkina made a remarkable entrance onto the international gymnastics scene, securing two silver medals at the 1994 World Championships shortly after turning 15. Her stellar performance in the uneven bars at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics marked a glorious comeback from a disappointing 15th-place finish in the all-around final.
Khorkina's legacy includes numerous accolades, such as multiple Olympic golds and a total of 20 World Championship medals, making her the first gymnast to achieve three all-around world titles. Renowned for her skills on the uneven bars and balance beam, she has at least nine moves named after her, primarily in these areas.
The first two moves, the Khorkina and the Khorkina 2, are found on the uneven bars, featuring half-turn hangs. The Khorkina begins with a back uprise followed by a straddle flight over the high bar, while the Khorkina 2 involves a hip circle to handstand and a dramatic half-turn in the air before hanging on the high bar. Khorkina’s balance beam moves feature apparatus dismounts with various twists, alongside additional vault and floor exercise maneuvers.
Several of her moves are recognized in the Code of Points, and Khorkina once held the record for the most named moves, though some have since been removed in current updates.
**‘The Besti Squat’ – Figure Skating**
Natalia Bestemianova emerged as a Soviet figure-skating legend in the 1980s, achieving accolades under the guidance of renowned coach Tatiana Tarasova. Together with her partner Andrei Bukin, she captured four world titles and five European championships.
Despite coming in second at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Bestemianova claimed gold in Calgary four years later. During that pivotal year, ‘the Besti Squat’ gained attention as she incorporated it into her free dance routine.
The move depicts a glider similar to a spread eagle, where the skater maintains both skates on the ice with toes outward and heels together, sinking into a squatting position while keeping the torso upright.
While ‘the Besti Squat’ has succeeded in staying relevant throughout the decades, not all critics appreciated Bestemianova’s performances at the time. In a report on the 1988 Winter Games, the New York Times expressed that the pair's dance could be perceived as vulgar, reflecting broader discussions about the balance of sport and artistry in ice dance.
Nevertheless, the routine ultimately garnered her a gold medal, suggesting that Bestemianova, who later transitioned to a TV career, brushed off the critiques.
**‘The Karelin Lift’ – Wrestling**
Known by titles such as ‘the Russian Bear’ and ‘Alexander the Great’, Aleksandr Karelin is often viewed as the greatest wrestler in history and an incredibly dominant figure in any sport. He claimed three gold medals across the 1988 to 1996 Olympic Games and concluded his career with a remarkable record of 887 wins and just two losses.
Despite rumors surrounding potential performance-enhancing drugs, Karelin attributed his success to intense training. “The most important drug is to train like a madman – really like a madman,” he stated.
The lift named after him, the ‘Karelin Lift’, showcased his impressive strength as he effortlessly lifted opponents before body-slamming them to the mat. This move, which began while opponents were flat on their backs, often resulted in five points when executed properly, a remarkable feat in wrestling.
**‘The Kabaeva’ – Rhythmic Gymnastics**
Alina Kabaeva, distinguished as one of rhythmic gymnastics' most celebrated figures, achieved Olympic gold in 2004 after facing disappointment in the 2000 Sydney Games. Over her career, she amassed an impressive count of 14 World Championship medals along with 21 from European Championships.
Kabaeva has influenced the sport significantly, introducing a variety of innovative skills, with at least four moves named after her. Each move is denoted with Roman numerals for clarity.
Among these, the ‘Kabaeva I’ involves a double-leg ring leap, while the ‘Kabaeva II’ is highlighted as her most notable, featuring a backscale pivot from a grounded or standing stance. Her additional moves involve balancing with chest support and performing splits with hand assistance.
At age 39, Kabaeva remains known for her extraordinary flexibility and lasting impact on rhythmic gymnastics, a testament to her remarkable abilities that have inspired generations of athletes.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
**‘The Datsyuk Flip’ – Ice Hockey**
Pavel Datsyuk, known for his exceptional stick-handling skills and referred to as the ‘Magic Man’, emerged as one of hockey's foremost players during the 2000s. He had a prominent 15-year career in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings before returning to Russia. Datsyuk is celebrated in Detroit for instrumental victories in the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2008, but it was his remarkable performance in 2010 that earned him a spot on this list.
During a regular-season game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Datsyuk took the initial shot in a shootout and skillfully tricked goaltender Antti Niemi. Approaching the Finnish goalie, he executed a signature ‘dirty dangle’ and appeared to prepare for a backhand shot. Instead, he cleverly lifted the puck into the net using the inside of his stick.
This audacious maneuver electrified the crowd at Joe Louis Arena and amazed his teammates. “They can’t believe it on the Red Wings bench,” remarked one exhilarated commentator. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a slow-mo play like that.” Although Niemi and the Blackhawks would go on to win the Stanley Cup that season, the ‘Datsyuk Flip’ remains a memorable highlight, with fans and gamers attempting to replicate it in the NHL video game.
**‘The Khorkina’ – Artistic Gymnastics**
Svetlana Khorkina made a remarkable entrance onto the international gymnastics scene, securing two silver medals at the 1994 World Championships shortly after turning 15. Her stellar performance in the uneven bars at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics marked a glorious comeback from a disappointing 15th-place finish in the all-around final.
Khorkina's legacy includes numerous accolades, such as multiple Olympic golds and a total of 20 World Championship medals, making her the first gymnast to achieve three all-around world titles. Renowned for her skills on the uneven bars and balance beam, she has at least nine moves named after her, primarily in these areas.
The first two moves, the Khorkina and the Khorkina 2, are found on the uneven bars, featuring half-turn hangs. The Khorkina begins with a back uprise followed by a straddle flight over the high bar, while the Khorkina 2 involves a hip circle to handstand and a dramatic half-turn in the air before hanging on the high bar. Khorkina’s balance beam moves feature apparatus dismounts with various twists, alongside additional vault and floor exercise maneuvers.
Several of her moves are recognized in the Code of Points, and Khorkina once held the record for the most named moves, though some have since been removed in current updates.
**‘The Besti Squat’ – Figure Skating**
Natalia Bestemianova emerged as a Soviet figure-skating legend in the 1980s, achieving accolades under the guidance of renowned coach Tatiana Tarasova. Together with her partner Andrei Bukin, she captured four world titles and five European championships.
Despite coming in second at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Bestemianova claimed gold in Calgary four years later. During that pivotal year, ‘the Besti Squat’ gained attention as she incorporated it into her free dance routine.
The move depicts a glider similar to a spread eagle, where the skater maintains both skates on the ice with toes outward and heels together, sinking into a squatting position while keeping the torso upright.
While ‘the Besti Squat’ has succeeded in staying relevant throughout the decades, not all critics appreciated Bestemianova’s performances at the time. In a report on the 1988 Winter Games, the New York Times expressed that the pair's dance could be perceived as vulgar, reflecting broader discussions about the balance of sport and artistry in ice dance.
Nevertheless, the routine ultimately garnered her a gold medal, suggesting that Bestemianova, who later transitioned to a TV career, brushed off the critiques.
**‘The Karelin Lift’ – Wrestling**
Known by titles such as ‘the Russian Bear’ and ‘Alexander the Great’, Aleksandr Karelin is often viewed as the greatest wrestler in history and an incredibly dominant figure in any sport. He claimed three gold medals across the 1988 to 1996 Olympic Games and concluded his career with a remarkable record of 887 wins and just two losses.
Despite rumors surrounding potential performance-enhancing drugs, Karelin attributed his success to intense training. “The most important drug is to train like a madman – really like a madman,” he stated.
The lift named after him, the ‘Karelin Lift’, showcased his impressive strength as he effortlessly lifted opponents before body-slamming them to the mat. This move, which began while opponents were flat on their backs, often resulted in five points when executed properly, a remarkable feat in wrestling.
**‘The Kabaeva’ – Rhythmic Gymnastics**
Alina Kabaeva, distinguished as one of rhythmic gymnastics' most celebrated figures, achieved Olympic gold in 2004 after facing disappointment in the 2000 Sydney Games. Over her career, she amassed an impressive count of 14 World Championship medals along with 21 from European Championships.
Kabaeva has influenced the sport significantly, introducing a variety of innovative skills, with at least four moves named after her. Each move is denoted with Roman numerals for clarity.
Among these, the ‘Kabaeva I’ involves a double-leg ring leap, while the ‘Kabaeva II’ is highlighted as her most notable, featuring a backscale pivot from a grounded or standing stance. Her additional moves involve balancing with chest support and performing splits with hand assistance.
At age 39, Kabaeva remains known for her extraordinary flexibility and lasting impact on rhythmic gymnastics, a testament to her remarkable abilities that have inspired generations of athletes.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
