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Plushenko wins Russian title; Berezhnaya, Sikharulidze take pairs honors

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Posted: Wednesday January 06, 1999 03:24 PM

Plushenko went on to complete seven triple jumps to earn the best marks Matthew Stockman/Allsport

MOSCOW (Reuters) -- Yevgeny Plushenko, 16, outskated world champion Alexei Yagudin and 1994 Olympic gold medalist Alexei Urmanov to win his first Russian men's title on Wednesday.

World champions Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze kept their undefeated streak intact this season by winning the pairs.

After missing an early quadruple jump, Plushenko, third behind Urmanov and Yagudin going into the final, went on to complete seven triple jumps in a difficult but inspired free program to earn the best marks.

Yagudin finished second while Urmanov claimed the bronze. The top three qualified for the European championships in Prague later this month.

Reigning Olympic champion Ilia Kulia did not take part after his decision not to compete in international championships this season.

 

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