Skating photograph by Robin Ritoss. Banner photograph by Daphne Backman
For the following entry in our New Group Collection, we meet Anna O’Brien & Drake Tong, junior ice dancers who characterize Azerbaijan. They’re coached by Kristen Fraser, Igor Lukanin, Ania Zadorozhniuk. You’ll be able to comply with them on their group Instagram @teamobrientong_aze.
Inform us about your particular person skating journeys, together with any early particular recollections.
Anna: My skating journey has taken many alternative turns and has formed a lot of who I’m as we speak. I at present skate for Azerbaijan, which has been a really significant step in my profession. Representing Azerbaijan has additionally given me the chance to study the language and construct a deeper connection to the tradition, and competing internationally below its flag has been an necessary a part of my improvement as an athlete. Balancing skating and faculty was a giant a part of my upbringing. For a number of years, I used to be homeschooled so I may focus extra severely on coaching, with early morning practices, schoolwork in between, and afternoon or full-day coaching periods. One in all my earliest particular recollections got here once I was eight years previous at my first out-of-state competitors in Lake Placid. I competed in ice dance with my coach and received a silver medal, and it was the primary time I actually felt like a skater. Being in such a historic venue and standing on the rostrum made the game really feel actual in a brand new approach, and it’s a second I nonetheless keep in mind clearly.
Drake: Skating has been a defining a part of my life since I first stepped onto the ice on the age of six. Whereas I grew up enjoying a wide range of sports activities—together with journey lacrosse, basketball, soccer, and baseball—I finally realized that skating was the self-discipline I needed to pursue on the highest stage. By the point I used to be ten, I started coaching with better intention, committing to early-morning practices earlier than college and sustaining a structured schedule that allowed me to stability each lecturers and athletics.
Among the many many significant moments all through my journey, one expertise stands out most: successful the preliminary sample dance nationwide title throughout my first aggressive season. That achievement bolstered my worth of arduous work and dedication, and it helped form the work ethic and mindset that proceed to information me as we speak.
What drew you to ice dance?
Anna: I used to be drawn to ice dance as a result of it felt like the very best match for me from the start. I used to be by no means a giant fan of jumps, and I liked the thought of skating with a accomplice. I keep in mind telling my coaches that I needed to skate with a boy, and since they have been former Olympic skaters, they actually understood that intuition and helped information me towards ice dance.
As quickly as I began studying sample dances, every thing clicked. I really like the deal with skating abilities, musicality, and connection in ice dance, and it feels extra pure to me than the rest I had tried. From the primary few sample dances I discovered, I knew ice dance was the proper path for me.
Drake: To me, ice dance represented a novel type of free expression and was genuinely fascinating to look at. Seeing skaters work in excellent unison whereas every group introduced its personal individuality and interpretation to the choreography was fascinating. That mixture of precision, artistry, and expression is what drew me to the self-discipline and solidified my determination to pursue ice dance.
Anna: I first competed in solo dance in 2019, alongside accomplice dance. Throughout that point, I competed solo dance whereas additionally skating accomplice occasions, together with mixed occasions and sample dance occasions, which helped me acquire precious aggressive expertise and additional develop my skating abilities. After that, I took a break from solo dance to focus solely on accomplice skating. Final 12 months, I returned to solo dance and competed internationally whereas I used to be on the lookout for one other accomplice. That interval was particularly significant after day without work resulting from shoulder surgical procedure, because it introduced me again into competitors and jogged my memory why I really like the game. I competed in occasions in Poland and Italy proper earlier than my tryout with Drake, and the expertise gave me confidence and momentum transferring ahead.
Drake: Competing in solo dance was an extremely precious and rewarding expertise. Taking part in each worldwide sample dance and senior solo dance whereas skating partnered, allowed me to refine my particular person abilities and develop a stronger private type that I used to be capable of carry into my accomplice skating. A few of my proudest accomplishments embody successful the gold medal in sample dance at solo dance nationals in addition to medaling a number of years at worldwide sample dance nationals.
As well as, my first 12 months competing in solo mixed started on the senior stage, which introduced a very new problem. Transitioning immediately into senior with out prior expertise in solo mixed was a major step, however it proved to be among the best choices I’ve made in my skating profession. Incomes a number of top-10 finishes at senior solo dance nationals whereas balancing sample dance and accomplice dance was demanding, but deeply fulfilling. I’m extraordinarily happy with what I used to be capable of accomplish, and I might not change that have for something.
Solo dance has performed a significant position in my improvement as a skater, and stepping away from it for the primary time this 12 months was a bittersweet second.
How did solo dance put together you for competing as a group?
Anna: Solo dance performed a giant position in making ready me to compete as a part of a group once more. It pushed me to take full accountability for my skating as a result of and not using a accomplice to depend on, I needed to be very conscious of my very own approach and presentation, which helped strengthen my fundamentals. Solo dance additionally constructed my confidence in competitors, which helped me really feel extra snug and composed when returning to group occasions.
Drake: Solo dance performed a vital position in serving to me establish my strengths and areas for progress as a person skater. By that have, I gained a deeper understanding of my skating type and constructed a robust technical and inventive basis that I proceed to develop as we speak. With a transparent consciousness of my talent set, I’m now capable of talk successfully with my accomplice and coaches about my belongings and areas for enchancment, permitting us to work extra effectively and proceed refining my craft.
Inform us how your partnership began. Describe the tryout.
Anna: My aspect of the partnership actually started throughout a transitional interval for each of us. I used to be nonetheless within the technique of returning again to competitors after day without work. What stood out to me was how productive the session was. We have been capable of cowl lots in a brief period of time, and the communication on the ice was clear and environment friendly. I left the tryout feeling motivated and inspired, with a way that this was a partnership value persevering with and creating.
Drake: The partnership started once I was returning to the game after taking a private break from skating, and Krigor organized the tryouts. From the very starting, the tryout felt pure—our synchronization got here collectively rapidly and easily. What stood out most to me, nevertheless, was the extent of effort and dedication we each introduced into that single hour on the ice. Having been away from skating for a while, that have reignited my ardour for aggressive skating nearly instantly.
Past our connection on the ice, we additionally found that we shared related priorities off the ice. Each of us are full-time honors faculty college students with sturdy tutorial objectives, which additional strengthened our compatibility as companions. With so many shared values and aspirations, I knew we might be capable of help each other and thrive collectively. From the beginning, it felt like the proper match.
Drake: Probably the most shocking issues I discovered about Anna is that she is fluent in seven languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, German, and Azerbaijani.
What experiences do every of you carry to the partnership?
Anna: I’ve an Azerbaijan passport, which permits us to compete for Azerbaijan each nationally and internationally. Throughout a break from the ice, I additionally gained expertise trial judging ice dance, which supplied a unique perspective on the game and helped deepen my understanding of technical particulars and efficiency requirements. I’ve additionally served because the group chief for the Azerbaijan group on the World Championships in Boston final 12 months, which allowed me to construct connections throughout the sport and higher perceive how groups are supported in worldwide competitors.
Drake: I imagine I carry a robust sense of positivity to the group, as I worth happiness as a core element of a profitable partnership. By sustaining optimistic morale, I assist create an surroundings that encourages open, snug communication, permitting us to handle challenges successfully and proceed rising collectively as a group.
What has been the most important adjustment for every of you up to now within the partnership?
Anna: For me, the most important adjustment has been studying easy methods to construct consistency as a brand new group whereas nonetheless determining one another’s habits and preferences on the ice. On the identical time, balancing the calls for of a brand new partnership with being a full-time faculty pupil has been difficult. Managing coaching, journey, and lecturers required loads of group, however it’s additionally helped us develop into extra intentional and environment friendly in how we work collectively.
Drake: The most important adjustment for me was studying to stability skating with the calls for of school life. Early on, commuting over an hour every approach for coaching earlier than courses—particularly throughout my first 12 months of driving—was difficult. Over time, nevertheless, it grew to become a constant and manageable routine constructed on self-discipline and willpower, finally resulting in optimistic and profitable outcomes.
What’s it that you simply already like most about dancing along with your new accomplice?
Anna: One factor I already respect lots about skating with Drake is his optimistic angle and open-mindedness. He’s at all times open to making an attempt new issues or making adjustments, which makes the coaching course of a lot simpler and extra productive. He additionally works extremely arduous, and that dedication units a robust tone for our partnership.
Due to that mindset, we’re capable of maintain issues gratifying even on lengthy or difficult days. His power makes it straightforward to remain motivated, and we are able to at all times discover a technique to have enjoyable on the ice whereas nonetheless getting the work executed.
Drake: Within the brief 5 months we now have been skating collectively, the standard I like most about skating with Anna is her perseverance. Regardless of going through a number of accidents equivalent to herniated discs, sciatica, scoliosis, Bertolotti’s Syndrome, and a torn labrum within the shoulder she persistently demonstrates resilience and willpower, by no means permitting setbacks to decrease her dedication or drive.
Inform us about your coaching web site.
Drake: We practice at Montclair State College Ice Area. We take Hip Hop courses, Ballet courses, Ballroom courses, Lyrical courses, Jazz courses, Edge courses on the rink
Our choreographers have been Kaitlyn Weaver (RD) and Igor Lukanin (FD and RD). Our music is organized by Hugo (Chouinard).
Anna: Kaitlyn has been very prepared to assist and introduced a optimistic, encouraging method to the method, which made the expertise particularly gratifying and productive.
Drake: I met Kaitlyn for the primary time this season, and she or he is probably the most energetic and passionate choreographer I’ve ever labored with. From the very starting, her first query was, “What methods are you able to do?” For the following thirty minutes, we jumped, spun, and experimented with artistic acrobatics, which finally impressed a spotlight second in our rhythm dance—a choreographic cease that includes a break up and a cartwheel.
Should you may have a lesson with any ice dancer previous/current, who wouldn’t it be? Why?
Anna: I might select Tessa Advantage. She’s extensively identified for her distinctive edge high quality, pace, and management, in addition to her capacity to take care of sturdy posture and readability of motion all through a complete program. Her skating at all times appears grounded and environment friendly, even in tough transitions.
Drake: Gage Brown has been a major supply of inspiration for me. Having beforehand skilled alongside Inese and Joel, I used to be persistently motivated by his skating. His talent set is outlined by a definite and distinctive type, one which I aspire to develop and embody in my very own skating profession.
What have been your greatest challenges?
Anna: My greatest challenges have been coping with accidents through the years. I’ve had a number of again points, in addition to accidents from falls, together with needing stitches after falling on a elevate and sustaining a concussion. Working by way of these setbacks has been tough, however they’ve taught me persistence and easy methods to method coaching extra thoughtfully.
Drake: The most important challenges we confronted concerned overcoming accidents on each side. Recovering from bone bruises, again sprains, and even an unintentional blade damage that resulted in a reduce slightly below my eye have been among the many most tough obstacles to beat. Working by way of these setbacks required resilience, persistence, and a robust dedication from each of us.
Inform us about your competitions up to now this season.
Anna: Our season started in Lake Placid, which was our debut as a group. We have been nonetheless very new collectively and positively nervous, however it was an necessary first step in gaining competitors expertise and understanding the place we wanted to enhance.
By the point we competed at Problem Cup, we felt extra settled and assured in our skating. That momentum continued into our Junior Grand Prix in Baku, which was particularly significant because it befell in Azerbaijan. Competing there felt very particular and gave us an additional enhance of motivation.
Our competitors in Hungary marked one other step ahead, as we skated with extra confidence and consistency. That occasion was notably necessary for us, because it’s the place we certified for the World Championships, making it a significant milestone in our season.
Drake: From Lake Placid to Hungary, we now have seen vital progress as a brand new group and are very happy with the progress we now have made. Enhancing our complete rating from 93 in Lake Placid to 126 in Hungary has bolstered that our coaching, dedication, and path are transferring us alongside the proper trajectory.
What’s one phrase that greatest describes your partnership?
Anna: Evolving
Drake: Adaptable
Anna, your brother Patrick is a novice ice dancer. How do you help one another?
Patrick and I help one another in a really pure approach. Since we’re each ice dancers, we perceive the ups and downs that include coaching and competing, which makes it straightforward to speak issues by way of and provides sincere recommendation.We additionally typically get to journey to competitions collectively, which has been actually particular. Sharing these experiences makes the method extra gratifying and helps maintain issues in perspective. Having somebody in my household who really understands the game has been very significant, and we encourage one another just by going by way of it collectively.
What’s every of you wanting ahead to most concerning the the rest of the season?
The 2026 World Junior Championships in Tallinn, Estonia.
