Denis Yuskov

instagram.com/yuskov_denis/

Reason for choosing this sport	He saw some boys at school playing football and he wanted to play, so he joined their sports club. After joining, he found that the club was actually a speed skating team and they were warming up by playing football.
When and where did you begin this sport?	He took up the sport in 2001 in Moscow, Russian Federation.

Sporting philosophy / motto	"Without effort, you won't pull a fish out of the pond." (Athlete, 10 Nov 2017)
Injuries	He suffered a knee injury during the 2020/21 season and could not compete at the 2021 World Single Distances Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands. (tass.ru, 10 Jan 2021) A groin injury forced him to withdraw from the 10,000m at the 2016 European Championships in Minsk, Belarus. (schaatsen.nl, 10 Jan 2016) A fever meant he was unable to compete at the 2014 European Championships in Hamar, Norway. (isu.org, 11 Jan 2014)
Hobbies	Watching television, reading. (sport.center, 19 Feb 2020)
Most influential person in career	His wife, his family, and coach Konstantin Poltavets. (Athlete, 13 Nov 2019)
Hero / Idol	Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. (Athlete, 10 Nov 2017)
Famous relatives	His mother played volleyball and holds the title of Master of Sport in the Russian Federation. (Komanda magazine, 17 Oct 2013)
Other information	RETIREMENT He retired from the sport in June 2022. (ISU, 30 Jun 2022) FURTHER EDUCATION In 2017 he graduated from the master's programme in speed skating coaching from the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism in Moscow, Russian Federation. (matchtv.ru, 15 Dec 2017) SANCTION In February 2008 he tested positive for marijuana at the national junior championships in the Russian Federation and was initially disqualified by the Russian Skating Union for four years. After an appeal, he was allowed to return to competition early in 2011. (mn.ru, 31 Oct 2011)
Awards and honours	In 2013 he received the Silver Doe award after the Russian Sports Journalists Federation voted him among the 10 Best Athletes of the Year in the Russian Federation. (rg.ru, 18 Dec 2013) He has received the title of Honoured Master of Sport in the Russian Federation. (minsport.gov.ru, 29 May 2020)