Ok, I'm late to the party on these topics since I just joined the forum, but upon reading this entire thread I'd like to address a couple points I feel strongly about:
Firstly, early in this thread there were some comments that Valieva's exhibition performance, as well as the age rule change, make her a clear favourite amongst Russians this season. I think Valieva is, all things considered, the most impressive figure skater I've ever seen. But, to say that at this point in time she makes someone like Petrosian look "amateurish" (directly quoted, the word which was used) is delusional and just disrespectful. Moreover, adding to that suggesting shes already a favourite for the nationals against the likes of the aforementioned Adeliia, or Muravieva and Akateva, is at best a baseless shot in the dark prediction. I'd love to hear any actual constructive arguments as to why anyone thinks this. Not saying she might not still prove that shes the best but come on, give these other girls some respect.
Furthermore I take massive issue with how grossly people are devaluing Trusova. As a foreword I'll mention that I dont even have Trusova in my top 10 - I'm not at all a fan of her and I have zero bias to this point. But people saying Zhillina is already a "better" Trusova? I can't tell if I'm being trolled or something. You people are limiting Trusova's athleticism to only her quad records, but thats such a shortsighted disposition towards what athleticism even is. To start I'd say her athletic prowess has almost nothing to do with quads but her core strength and stability - I've never seen Zhillina pull off a cantilever like Trusova or anything equivalent to it. Zhillina can jump, perhaps comparably to Trusova but even so not to any extent thats obviously "better" by any objective measure and even if it was she still wouldn't hold a candle to who Trusova is as a complete athlete. Zhillina's turns, spins, kicks, speed and other stablization reliant elements such as the aforementioned cantilever are nothing like Trusova's. Zhillina explodes off the ice, while Trusova constantly demonstrates otherworldly natural mobility and stabalizing strength worthy of a gymnast or freestyle wrestler. Hilarious - people were really arguing that Trusova is just another starved, weightless girl and thats why she could land quads - really? Her father is a master of sport in all 3 olympic schools of wrestling - she was born to be both mobile and powerful. And for the record, Zhillina is 1.42m, I doubt shes pushing far over 40kg herself so whats the sense in this argument anyways? As an athlete its just frustrating to see how uneducated people are about what it means to be athletic. This worshipping of Zhillina is the most obscene case of recency bias I've ever seen - lets wait for her even step into adult competition before we start considering Trusova subordinate to her in any way? And of course, as you've all admitted there's not any need to bring up artistry. Just give Titova some time; I'm not even convinced Zhillina is the best Russian junior of this generation. Please keep Trusova's name out of your mouths.
