“People Like Me Who Carry a Little Extra Weight Are Ostracized”: Alexander Ovechkin Faced Constant Criticism While Dealing with Body Issues in 2011

Hockey player Alexander Ovechkin has achieved many feathers to his hat. The captain of the Washington Capitals is one of the greatest goal-scorers of all time. Although “the Great Eight” has experienced an impeccable career so far, he had certain insecurities that sometimes impacted him, mostly because of the social stigma attached to it.

Most human beings around the world experience weight issues. Staying in proper shape is an integral factor for pro athletes. The ones who do not abide by that rule often face public scrutiny and mockery. 37-year-old Alexander Ovechkin too faced constant criticism while dealing with body issues in 2011. The NHL player went through immense mental stress due to it.

Alexander Ovechkin felt ostracized for weight criticism

Alexander Ovechkin did not look his fittest in the initial few years of his career. He was mentally brought down by brutal comparisons with other players in public and on social media.

At one point, it became a tormenting affair for him. In an interview with NBC Sports in 2011, the left winger opened up on his experience with weight criticism, “You see all these hockey players on the cover of ESPN and Sports Illustrated and they look so skinny and in shape.”

The Washington Capitals player added, “It just hurts because not everyone can look like that and people like me who carry a little extra weight are ostracized.”

Ovechkin reached a point where he made binge eating his escape from all the trolling and criticism. He resorted to emotional eating that ultimately provided an escape for him. The NHL star was so sensitive to the weight issues that he could not take even jokes from his close ones.

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One day when he decided to put aside the criticism and sit by the beach to relax, he faced his biggest nightmare. Within a few seconds, Alexander was trolled live in public. That was too much to take for him. He decided to participate in a body transformation show, The Biggest Loser.

Throughout his journey, he enjoyed the process of losing weight. By the end of the competition, the Russian lost a massive 253 pounds. It made him a lot more confident and prepared for the upcoming NHL season.

A look at Alexander Ovechkin’s career

Alexander Ovechkin joined Washington Capitals in 2005. In his first game, he impressed everyone by scoring two goals against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He continued to show a series of brilliant performances that eventually made him the team’s captain in 2010.

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Since 2005, the NHL player has won multiple titles with Washington Capital. He holds the record for the most power-play goals and most goals in road games. Moreover, in NHL history, he holds the record for most goals with the same team.