Maxim Naumov Bio, Parents, Olympics, Age, Height, Girlfriend, Career, Net Worth

Maxim Naumov represents one of the most inspiring stories in Olympic history—a young figure skater who transformed unimaginable tragedy into triumph. Just one year after losing his parents, former world champion pair skaters Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, in the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in decades, the 24-year-old from Massachusetts stepped onto Olympic ice at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games carrying their photograph and fulfilling a family dream that began when he was just five years old.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Maxim Naumov was born on August 1, 2001, in Hartford, Connecticut, into figure skating royalty. His parents, Vadim Naumov (born April 7, 1969) and Evgenia Shishkova (born December 18, 1972), were 1994 World Champions in pair skating representing Russia and two-time Olympians who competed at the 1992 Albertville and 1994 Lillehammer Winter Games.

Maxim first stepped onto the ice at age three, but began serious skating training at age five. His early years were spent in Simsbury, Connecticut, where his parents coached at the International Skating Center of Connecticut after moving to the United States in 1998. The family relocated to Norwood, Massachusetts in 2017 when Vadim and Evgenia established the “Tomorrow’s Champions” youth program at the prestigious Skating Club of Boston.

During his childhood, Maxim also competed in gymnastics for his first four years of skating, which helped develop the strength and body control that would later define his skating style. He attended Simsbury High School, graduating in 2019, and subsequently enrolled in ASU Online to pursue higher education while maintaining his competitive skating career.

Maxim has cited Olympic champions Evgeni Plushenko and yuzuru hanyu as his primary skating influences, alongside his parents. Growing up in a bilingual household, he was exposed to Russian culture and language, though he identifies as American and competes for the United States.

The Tragedy: January 29, 2025

The Crash That Changed Everything

On January 29, 2025, Maxim’s world shattered when American Eagle Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., killing all 67 people on board. Among the victims were 28 members of the U.S. figure skating community returning from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas, following the U.S. Championships.

Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova were among those lost. They had stayed behind in Wichita to coach young skaters at the camp while Maxim had flown home earlier. The tragedy echoed the 1961 Sabena Flight 548 crash that killed the entire U.S. figure skating team, sending shockwaves through the sport.

The Final Conversation

Just three days before the crash, Maxim had placed fourth at the 2025 U.S. Championships—his third consecutive pewter medal. His parents’ final Instagram post celebrated his achievement: “Once again, Maxim made us all proud, getting on to the podium at Nationals after 7th place in the short… Maxim has earned his place in the team of 4 Continents.”

One of Maxim’s last conversations with his father was a 45-minute strategic planning session. “My dad laid out a whole plan for this entire season of what to do, how to do it, and when,” Maxim recalled. “He said we have to change our mindset and change our approach—be consistent where we haven’t been before and be strong and resilient. That’s exactly what I carried through this entire season.”

Career Journey

Early Career & Junior Success (2012–2020)

Maxim’s competitive career began at the juvenile level, showing steady progression through the U.S. Figure Skating ranks:

• 2013 U.S. Championships: Juvenile Champion
• 2016 U.S. Championships: Novice Bronze Medalist
• 2017 U.S. Championships: Novice Champion
• 2017 International Challenge Cup (Advanced Novice): Champion
• 2018 U.S. Championships: Junior Bronze Medalist
• 2018–19 Season: Missed due to injury

Breakthrough: 2020 U.S. Junior Title

The 2019–20 season marked Maxim’s emergence as a top American prospect:

• 2019 JGP France: 7th place
• 2020 U.S. Championships (Junior): GOLD (landed two triple axels in free skate)
• 2020 World Junior Championships: 5th place (top-10 in short, 4th in free)

This performance earned him recognition as one of America’s promising young skaters alongside ilia malinin and Andrew Torgashev.

Senior Career & Olympic Quest (2020–2025)

Maxim’s transition to senior competition showed consistent improvement:

Three consecutive fourth-place finishes at U.S. Championships (2023–2025) placed him just outside the World Championship team but demonstrated his consistency and potential.

The Comeback: 2025–26 Olympic Season

Following his parents’ death, Maxim made the courageous decision to continue skating. He assembled a new team:

• Head Coach: Vladimir Petrenko (1986 Junior World Champion, longtime family friend)
• Choreographer/Coach: Benoît Richaud (renowned French choreographer)
• Training Base: Skating Club of Boston (Norwood, MA) and Peak Ice camps in Europe

2025–26 Season Results:

• September 2025: 9th at Lombardia Trophy (return to competition)
• October 2025: 9th at Grand Prix de France
• November 2025: 1st place at Ice Challenge (first senior international gold)
• November 2025: 4th at Tallinn Trophy
• January 2026: 3rd place at U.S. Championships (first senior national podium)
• February 2026: Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina (debut)

At the 2026 U.S. Championships, Maxim delivered emotionally powerful performances, holding up and kissing a childhood photo with his parents after each skate. His bronze medal earned him a spot on the Olympic team alongside Ilia Malinin and Andrew Torgashev.

2026 Winter Olympics Performance

Olympic Debut (February 10, 2026)

Maxim made his Olympic debut on February 10, 2026, in the men’s short program at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. His performance was dedicated to his parents:

• Program: “Nocturne No. 20” by Frédéric Chopin
• Technical Score: 47.77
• Component Score: 37.88
• Total Score: 85.65 (season’s best: 86.65 at U.S. Championships)
• Placement: Mid-pack among 29 competitors

The Emotional Moment:
Before skating, the arena Jumbotron displayed his message: “Mom and Dad, this is for you.” In the “kiss and cry” area, Maxim held up a photo of himself at age three holding hands with his parents on the ice—the same photo he had kissed at the U.S. Championships. He broke down in tears as the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

“I really just wanted them to be present in the Kiss and Cry,” he explained. “I mean, that’s such an important moment. I wanted them to literally share that moment with me because they deserve it. They deserve to be there right next to me.”

Career Statistics

Personal Best Scores (ISU +5/-5 GOE System)

2025–26 Season Bests

Major Competition Results

Olympic Games:

• 2026 Milano Cortina: Competing (Men’s Singles)

ISU Championships:

• 2020 World Junior Championships: 5th place
• 2023 Four Continents: 10th place
• 2024 Four Continents: 12th place

Grand Prix Series:

• 2020 Skate America: 8th place
• 2023 Skate America: 10th place
• 2024 Skate America: 7th place
• 2025 Grand Prix de France: 9th place

Challenger Series:

• 2022 Budapest Trophy: 5th place
• 2022 Warsaw Cup: 5th place
• 2024 Nebelhorn Trophy: 11th place
• 2024 Warsaw Cup: 8th place
• 2025 Lombardia Trophy: 9th place
• 2025 Tallinn Trophy: 4th place

National Championships:

• 2013: Juvenile Champion
• 2016: Novice Bronze
• 2017: Novice Champion
• 2018: Junior Bronze
• 2020: Junior Champion
• 2021: 5th place (Senior)
• 2023: 4th place (Pewter)
• 2024: 4th place (Pewter)
• 2025: 4th place (Pewter)
• 2026: 3rd place (Bronze)

Personal Life

Family Legacy

Maxim is an only child, making the loss of his parents particularly devastating. The Naumov-Shishkova family represented a unique bridge between Russian and American figure skating:

Parents’ Achievements:

• 1994 World Champions (Pairs)
• Two-time Olympians (1992, 1994)
• Coached 2005 U.S. Pairs Champions Katherine Orscher & Garrett Lucash
• Founded “Tomorrow’s Champions” youth program at Skating Club of Boston

Current Responsibilities

Following his parents’ death, Maxim took over as on-ice director of Tomorrow’s Champions, the youth program his parents established. He balances this coaching responsibility with his competitive career, honoring their legacy by mentoring the next generation of skaters.

Relationship Status

As of 2026, Maxim Naumov has not publicly disclosed any romantic relationship. His focus has been entirely on his skating career, processing his grief, and fulfilling his Olympic dream. No girlfriend or partner has been mentioned in any interviews or public appearances.

Support System

Maxim has relied heavily on his extended skating community:

• Vladimir Petrenko: Coaches him Monday-Friday, traveling from Simsbury to Norwood
• Elena Petrenko: Vladimir’s wife, provides additional support
• Benoît Richaud: Choreographer who helped him reconnect with his love of skating
• Skating Club of Boston Community: Provided emotional and logistical support after the crash

Quotes

“The only way out is through. There’s no other way. There are no options but to keep going. I don’t have the strength or the passion or the drive, or the dedication of one person anymore. It’s three people.”

“They were beautiful people. They were so incredibly kind. I would not be the person I am today without them. Their love—and their care, and attention to detail was evident in each stage of my life. They were always like superheroes to me.”

“I really just wanted them to be present in the Kiss and Cry. I mean, that’s such an important moment. I wanted them to literally share that moment with me because they deserve it. They deserve to be there right next to me.”

“I would not be sitting here without the unimaginable work, effort and love from my parents. It means absolutely everything to me, fulfilling the dream that we collectively had as a family since I first was on the ice at five years old.”

Favorites

Salary & Net Worth

As of 2026, Maxim Naumov’s estimated net worth ranges between $100,000 and $500,000. His income sources include:

Revenue Streams

1. Competition Prize Money: Modest earnings from ISU competitions
2. U.S. Figure Skating Stipends: Support for national team members
3. Coaching Income: Director of Tomorrow’s Champions program
4. Exhibition Performances: Ice show appearances (including Legacy on Ice tribute show, March 2025)
5. Potential Endorsements: Limited deals given his recent Olympic qualification

Financial Context

Figure skating is not a high-paying sport compared to mainstream athletics. Most of Maxim’s career has been funded by his parents and U.S. Figure Skating support. His Olympic qualification may open doors for future sponsorship opportunities, particularly given his compelling personal story.

Interesting Facts

1. Narrow Escape: Maxim was at the airport going through security at the same time as his parents on January 29, 2025, but took a different flight home from Wichita, narrowly avoiding the fatal crash.
2. Legacy on Ice: On March 2, 2025, Maxim performed at “Legacy on Ice,” a tribute show for the crash victims, skating to his parents’ favorite song, “Город, которого нет (The City That Doesn’t Exist)” by Igor Kornelyuk, receiving a standing ovation.
3. Photographic Tradition: Maxim brings multiple photos of his parents to every competition and spends 30 minutes to an hour each week connecting with their memory.
4. Gymnastics Background: Competed in gymnastics for his first four years of skating, which contributed to his athletic jumping ability.
5. Bilingual Upbringing: Grew up speaking Russian at home and English at school, though he competes for the United States.
6. Seven-Week Training Camp: After his parents’ death, he spent seven weeks at Benoît Richaud’s Peak Ice camp in France and Italy, originally planning to stay only two weeks.
7. ASU Online: Pursuing higher education through Arizona State University’s online program while competing.
8. DJ Skills: Enjoys mixing music as a hobby—perhaps a creative outlet beyond skating.
9. Only Child: Has no siblings, making him the sole carrier of his parents’ legacy.
10. Fourth to Bronze: Broke through from three consecutive fourth-place finishes to win bronze at the 2026 U.S. Championships, securing his Olympic spot.

Did You Know Already?

• Maxim’s parents were never Olympic champions but won the 1994 World Championships in pairs skating
• He missed the 2018–19 season due to injury, making his 2020 junior title even more impressive
• His father Vadim originally skated with a different partner before teaming up with Evgenia in 1985
• The Naumov family moved from Simsbury, Connecticut to Norwood, Massachusetts in 2017 specifically to expand their coaching careers
• Maxim’s Olympic short program score of 85.65 was slightly below his season’s best of 86.65 from the U.S. Championships
• He is the only child of Vadim and Evgenia, making him the sole heir to their skating legacy
• Vladimir Petrenko (his current coach) is the brother of 1992 Olympic Champion Viktor Petrenko

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @maximnaumov_
• Official Website: maxnaumov.com
• U.S. Figure Skating Profile: Available at usfigureskating.org
• ISU Profile: Available at isuresults.com
• Team USA: Profile at teamusa.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Maxim Naumov?
Maxim Naumov was born on August 1, 2001, making him 24 years 6 months old years old as of 2026.

Who were Maxim Naumov’s parents?
Maxim’s parents were Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, 1994 World Champions in pair skating and two-time Olympians for Russia. They died in the January 29, 2025 plane crash in Washington, D.C.

How did Maxim Naumov’s parents die?
Vadim and Evgenia were among 67 people killed when American Eagle Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River on January 29, 2025. They were returning from a figure skating development camp in Wichita, Kansas.

Is Maxim Naumov in a relationship?
As of 2026, Maxim has not publicly disclosed any romantic relationship or girlfriend. He appears to be focused on his skating career and honoring his parents’ memory.

Who coaches Maxim Naumov now?
After his parents’ death, Maxim selected Vladimir Petrenko (1986 Junior World Champion and longtime family friend) as his head coach and French choreographer Benoît Richaud as his choreographer and technical coach.

What was Maxim Naumov’s placement at the 2026 Olympics?
Maxim made his Olympic debut on February 10, 2026, in the men’s short program, scoring 85.65 points. The competition was ongoing at the time of this writing.

How did Maxim Naumov qualify for the 2026 Olympics?
Maxim won the bronze medal at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January 2026, earning his first senior national podium finish and securing one of three men’s spots on the U.S. Olympic team.

What is Maxim Naumov’s net worth?
Maxim’s estimated net worth is between $100,000 and $500,000 as of 2026, derived from competition earnings, coaching income, and U.S. Figure Skating support.

What music does Maxim Naumov skate to?
For the 2025-26 season, his short program is set to Chopin’s “Nocturne No. 20” and his free skate to “In This Shirt” by The Irrepressibles.

Where does Maxim Naumov train?
He trains at the Skating Club of Boston in Norwood, Massachusetts, and has trained extensively at Benoît Richaud’s Peak Ice camps in France and Italy.

Conclusion

Maxim Naumov’s journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics transcends athletic achievement—it represents the triumph of human resilience over unimaginable tragedy. In just one year, he transformed from a grieving son who “wanted to lay in bed and rot” into an Olympian carrying forward his parents’ legacy with grace, determination, and love.

His story reminds us that grief and greatness can coexist, that pain can fuel purpose, and that the dreams we share with those we love don’t die when they do—they become our responsibility to fulfill. As Maxim held that childhood photo in the kiss and cry area, tears streaming down his face, he wasn’t just an athlete seeking a score—he was a son honoring a promise, a legacy, and a love that transcends even death.

Whether he stands on the Olympic podium or not, Maxim Naumov has already achieved something far more valuable than gold: he has shown the world that even in our darkest moments, we can find the strength to keep skating.