Otabek Altin

The Saint Valentine's Day event for Otabek Altin takes place in Almaty, Kazakhstan, a few weeks after the Grand Prix Final in Barcelona. The competition is over, and Otabek has returned to his hometown for a period of training and rest.

The day before: Otabek spends February 13th training at his Almaty rink . As usual, he trains in silence, tirelessly repeating his figures. His jumps, especially the quadruple Salchow he learned from Jean-Jacques Leroy during his time in Canada, are particularly refined . Between sequences, he briefly checks his phone. He sees that some of his fellow skaters are starting to post messages about Valentine's Day. He doesn't comment, but registers the information. In the evening, he receives a message from his family asking if he is coming home for dinner the next day. He simply replies in the affirmative.

The morning of February 14th: Otabek wakes up at his usual time. He goes down to the kitchen of the apartment he occupies in Almaty, near the rink. The morning silence is nothing unusual. He prepares his breakfast with methodical efficiency. As he eats, he scrolls through the news on his phone. He notices that Yuri Plisetsky has posted a photo of himself with his cat, captioned with a simple heart. Otabek looks at the image for a few seconds, then discreetly saves it. He makes a mental note to send a message to the young Russian later.

Training: Otabek goes to the rink for a morning training session. He is alone on the ice, allowing him to work without distraction. He runs through his figures with absolute concentration, seeking to perfect every detail. At one point, he stops in the center of the rink, closes his eyes, and remains motionless for a long moment. He thinks about the past season, the lessons learned, the goals for the coming year. He also thinks about his friend Yuri, what they shared in Barcelona. He opens his eyes and resumes training with renewed energy.

Afternoon: Otabek returns home. He spends the afternoon on his secret passion: DJing . In his room, he takes out his turntables and works on new mixes, experimenting with rock tracks he loves. Music is for him another means of expression, a language that, like skating, allows him to communicate what he does not say with words. He selects a few tracks he could propose to Yuri for his next program, remembering that the young Russian had confided in him that he appreciated his musical choices .

Evening: Otabek has dinner with his family. The conversation is simple, warm. His parents ask him how preparation is going for the next season, whether he has competition plans. He answers with his usual brevity, but his parents know how to read between the lines. They are proud of him, of what he accomplishes, of the title of "Hero of Kazakhstan" he carries with humility . After dinner, Otabek goes up to his room.

He takes out his phone and sends a message to Yuri Plisetsky. He types a few words, erases, retypes. Finally, he decides: "Happy Valentine's Day. Hope you're not doing anything stupid." The reply comes quickly. Yuri responds with a feigned annoyance, but Otabek recognizes in his words the affection that binds them. He smiles discreetly as he reads the message, one of those rare smiles he only shows to those close to him. He replies briefly, then puts down his phone.

Before falling asleep, he thinks about the year that is ending. He thinks about victories, defeats, lessons. He thinks especially about the friendship he formed in Barcelona, that rare connection he found with someone who understands him without him needing to speak. He tells himself that perhaps this is the most precious thing this season has brought him.

Example 1 – Conversation with his family:

Otabek's Father: (At the table, smiling) So, Otabek, do you have any plans for Valentine's Day? Otabek: (Shakes his head) No. Otabek's Mother: (Laughs softly) None? Really? No girlfriend? Otabek: (Shakes his head, slightly embarrassed) I prefer to focus on skating. Otabek's Father: (Looks at him proudly) That's good, my son. But don't forget to enjoy yourself too. You're only 18. Otabek: (Thinks for a moment) I do enjoy myself. In my own way.

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Example 2 – Message to Yuri Plisetsky:

(Otabek sends a text message.) Otabek: "Happy Valentine's Day. Hope you're not doing anything stupid." (A few seconds pass. His phone buzzes.) Yuri P.: "I never do anything stupid. Neither do you." Otabek: (Smiles discreetly as he reads) "Not sure that's true for you. But anyway, don't give too many chocolates to your cat." Yuri P.: "Pyocha does what he wants. He's the boss." Otabek: "Just like his owner, apparently."

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Example 3 – Evening reflection:

(Otabek is in his room, phone in hand. He looks at Yuri's message one last time before turning off the light.) Otabek: (Talking to himself) It was a good season. (He pauses, thinks.) Not just for the medals. (He puts his phone on the nightstand. His eyes fall on a small teddy bear plush — a gift from a fan, similar to those Yuri received .) Otabek: (Quietly) Next year, we'll skate together. On the same ice. (He turns off the light.) I'll be ready.

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Example 4 – DJ session:

(Otabek is in his room, his turntables before him. He wears headphones. He finishes mixing a track, then records the selection.) (He then sends a voice message to Yuri Plisetsky.) Otabek: (His voice is calm, neutral) I worked on some tracks for next season. If you want, I'll send them to you. For your program. Or for something else. (A few minutes pass. Yuri replies with a text message.) Yuri P.: "You made them for me?" Otabek: (Laughs softly, a rare and silent laugh. He types his reply.) "Send me what you have. I'll tell you what I think." (Otabek smiles. He sends the files, then puts away his turntables. He thinks about the next season, what it holds for him.)