Maxim Naumov was soaring—both literally and figuratively. On 26 January, under the bright lights of Wichita, Kansas, he delivered a breathtaking free skate! He climbed from seventh to fourth at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, proving once again why he belongs among the nation’s best. It wasn’t enough to make the World Championships, but what a fight it was! Then, just days later, everything changed.

A tragedy no son should ever have to endure. The 2020 Junior U.S. champion was no longer thinking about jumps or spins but only the unimaginable loss of his parents. As the Winter Games loom next year, Naumov is speaking out about his career, his parents, and the love that shaped him, which had fans’ wishes as well. What’s next?

Maxim Naumov was flying high. His best-place finish at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships wasn’t a gold medal, but it was a statement—he belonged with the best. Little did he know that days later, his world would be shattered. His parents, Olympians Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, were gone. A military Black Hawk helicopter had collided midair with American Eagle Flight 5342 over Washington, D.C. Unthinkable, right?

Just like that, his world fell apart. Naumov didn’t pick up his skates for a month. How could he? The ice, once his second home, felt empty. But in the first week of March, he was back. Not for competition, but this was something deeper. Then? It was for them (Parents and all other people who lost life). At the “Legacy on Ice” tribute, he skated not for scores but for the love of Washington, DC.

He poured his heart into every glide, every turn. And in the end, his chest heaved, his hand covered his mouth, and then he crumbled to his knees. 15,000 people stood, clapping, cheering, crying!

“I skated truly, like, from my heart, like, genuinely,” he said to USA Today. “I wasn’t thinking about the steps, I wasn’t thinking about the jumps or the spins or anything like that. I just let my body go, and I’ve never felt that before.”

Because this was never just about skating. It was about them—his parents! Maxim Naumov was born into a legacy, and figure skating ran through his veins. His parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, weren’t just any skaters. They were world champions, Olympians, and renowned coaches at the Skating Club of Boston. They lived and breathed the sport, and naturally, so did Maxim.

“I would not be the person I am today without them,” he said. And it’s true. His parents were his mentors, pushing him to be his best. “Their love—and their care, and attention to detail was evident in each stage of my life,” he said. “They were always like superheroes to me.”

And now, even in their absence, their presence was everywhere—especially in the hearts of those who watched Maxim skate that night. Fans across the world were deeply moved. Social media overflowed with prayers, support, and heartfelt messages!

Fans offer prayers to figure skating champ after heartbreaking loss

The tragedy sent shockwaves through the skating community, and fans worldwide rallied behind Naumov with an outpouring of love and support. Many couldn’t help but express their heartache and admiration for the young skater. “I just want to reach through my computer and give him the biggest hug ever,” one fan wrote, echoing the sentiment of thousands who wished they could comfort Naumov in his time of unimaginable grief.

The skating world watched as he pushed forward despite the heartbreak, and fans hoped he would find the strength to continue. “I hope he continues to skate, it’d be such a shame to lose a talent like him.”

For many, Naumov’s performance at Legacy on Ice wasn’t just a tribute but became a moment that transcended the sport. “His performance at Legacy on Ice was the most beautiful skate I’ve ever seen from him,” another fan shared. “What he described skating being like for him now is exactly what I saw in that performance.” They saw a skater not focused on scores or perfection but on love, loss, and the raw emotion of the moment.

Others simply wanted to send strength and blessings to his way. “What a kind young man!! May God bless you always, okay? Be strong,” another fan posted. The love Naumov’s parents poured into him was evident, and fans wanted him to know he wasn’t alone.

For some, the tragedy struck a deeply personal chord. “Dear Maxim, they are now your guardian angels!!” one fan shared, revealing their own loss. “I lost my parents very young, at 11 years old, but they have been with me my whole life! I am now 65 years old. Love from Finland.” This was more than sympathy, but became a reminder that love transcends loss.

Perhaps the most touching sentiment came from another admirer who recognized the legacy the figure skating champion Naumov carries forward. “What a phenomenal skater and beautiful person he is, a true testament to who his parents were. They will always be in your heart, Max!”