Skating helps Maxim Naumov cope after death of his parents in January plane crash

Boston Globe

30-03-2025

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Time moving slowly, I'm bouncing my head off the wall
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I know nobody that knows where we're going at all.
'My choreographer Adam Blake and I are always discussing plans and thoughts and songs to skate to,' said the Norwood-based Naumov. 'I relate to [the song], and I feel really deeply and emotionally what he's talking about. It's been really helpful for me to almost get my emotions out in that way.'
Maxim Naumov took a moment to remember his late parents after his performance at the World Figure Skating Championships gala Sunday at TD Garden.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
It's been two months since the crash, and Naumov is learning where he is going. Skating is still his life's center: he has returned to the ice, performed twice, and started coaching some of his parents' students.
But, as anyone who has experienced grief knows, no two days are the same. The days crawl by, you question your own thoughts and wonder if anyone truly understands what you are going through.
Naumov is going through that now, and that's why 'That's on Me' spoke to him.
'I have a lot of emotions right now, and it's hard to even put a name to what I'm feeling,' said Naumov.
Naumov has taken over his parents' introductory skating program at
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'That program is my parents' legacy,' said Naumov. 'We have the class three times a week, and I leave laughing and smiling every time I work with them. They're the sweetest little bunch and progressing so rapidly I can't even wrap my mind around it. They also help me get through each day.'
Besides coaching, Naumov plans on performing and possibly competing again. In the immediate future, he is scheduled to be a guest skater at the Boston stop of the Stars on Ice tour on May 24. As part of a segment of the show honoring the victims of Flight 5342, Naumov will be introduced by Canadian Elvis Stojko, a contemporary of Shishkova and Naumov.
'His parents and I won our first World Championships the same year and we toured together for years,' said Stojko via phone. 'It was pretty heart-wrenching when we lost them in the plane crash, and we want to support Maxim however we can.'
Returning to competition is another path Naumov is considering. Naumov finished fourth at January's US Championships, and had been named the second alternate for the World Championships before the crash. The US has three men's spots for the 2026 Winter Olympics, and besides
But what does competing look like without his parents, who have coached him for entire senior career? He's not sure, but he will keep getting on the ice.
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'Skating doesn't feel like a list of things to do,' said Naumov. 'It feels almost more freeing. I'm able to tune out the craziness and busy-ness of my day. I'm getting more and more comfortable with it, and I just want to keep moving in that direction and see where it goes.'
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The biggest reason for Naumov to keep skating? Because the ice will always be where his parents are.
'I have this internal dialog,' said Naumov. 'I'm able to be calm and just be in my heart. They're always there, too. It really helps me get through.'
After his performance at the World Championships gala, Naumov first looked up, but instead of at the sold-out crowd that was giving him a standing ovation his gaze pierced the TD Garden's roof while he spoke to his parents in their native Russian.
'This is for you guys,' said Naumov. 'You guys are with me. I love you both.'