Igor Lukanin, sports director of the Azerbaijan Winter Sports Federation, has revealed which tournaments figure skater Alexander Plyushchenko will debut in for the Azerbaijani national team.
The International Skating Union (ISU) has approved two Junior Grand Prix events with Azerbaijan's participation: in mid-September in Turkey and at the end of the month in Georgia. Sasha (Alexander) will be registered for these competitions. Coaches will decide whether he competes.
Lukanin clarified negotiations regarding Alexander's transfer: "I have known Evgeni for over 20 years. Discussions about his son joining our team began at the end of March. Sasha is talented with good potential."
The 13-year-old athlete was announced to compete under the Azerbaijani flag in May, with permission from the Russian Figure Skating Federation's Executive Committee. On July 1, official ISU approval was confirmed. According to his father, two-time Olympic champion Evgeni Plyushchenko, Alexander has acquired Azerbaijani sports citizenship for five years.
