One year after losing both his parents in a devastating aviation tragedy, figure skater Maxim Naumov delivered one of the most emotional moments of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. As he waited for his score in St. Louis, the 24-year-old held up a childhood photo of himself with his parents—Russian Olympic skating legends Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova—who were killed when an American Airlines plane collided midair with a military helicopter over Washington, D.C., killing all 67 people aboard. The couple had been returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships with fellow skaters, coaches, and parents when the crash sent both aircraft into the Potomac River in the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in over 20 years. Maxim, who was not on the flight, has spent the past year carrying the weight of unimaginable loss while continuing to pursue the dream they shared.

That grief transformed into quiet strength on the ice. Skating a deeply personal program, Naumov poured his emotions into every movement, visibly shaken yet composed as the crowd felt the meaning behind his performance. He earned an impressive 85.72 score, briefly placing first and keeping himself firmly in contention for one of three spots on the U.S. men’s team for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Though he finished fourth by the end of the night, the result mattered less than what the moment represented. Qualifying for the Olympics was one of the last things he discussed with his parents, who competed together at the 1992 and 1994 Winter Games and dreamed of seeing their son follow in their path. “It’s the ultimate goal,” Naumov said, describing not just a medal chase, but a promise—to skate forward carrying their love, their legacy, and their belief in him.