Skater Evgenia Medvedeva Returns to Tokyo as Sailor Moon

Posted 2017/04/24 224 in Anime Interest

Also receives autographed Yuri!!! on Ice! artwork from staff

Professional figure skater and anime fan Evgenia Medvedeva wooed viewers by reprising her turn as Sailor Moon during her performance at the Exhibition World Team Trophy 2017 in Tokyo on Sunday. Medvedeva opened the program dressed as Usagi Tsukino who is, as usual, running late for school. She encounters Luna and then proceeds to transform into her magical girl alter ego, Sailor Moon.

Medvedeva set a record at the event, earning 80.85 points in the Short Program and also earning first place in the Ladies Free Skating. The 17-year-old skater is the two-time and reigning World Champion but in the end, Team Russia was edged out by Team Japan to take the title.

This isn't Medvedeva's first turn as the iconic super heroine. She previously performed as Sailor Moon last year. On top of that, she's also a huge fan of Yuri!!! on Ice!!, an appreciation that fans acknowledged with special gifts.

I'll take it. Pack him, please pic.twitter.com/riGHu0Iyj4

— Evgenia Medvedeva (@JannyMedvedeva) April 19, 2017

The official Twitter account for the anime series also acknowledged Medvedeva's love of the show. She was gifted with autographed illustrations by Yuri!!! on Ice character designer Tadashi Hiramatsu. Hiramatsu drew the real-life skater with her beloved characters.

先日行われた国別対抗戦にて、キャラクターデザインを務める平松禎史さんがメドベデワ選手へ直筆イラストをプレゼントそのイラストを公開しちゃいます #yurionice pic.twitter.com/89EcQaWKHz

— TVアニメ「ユーリ!!! on ICE」 (@yurionice_PR) April 24, 2017

[Source: Asahi Shimbun via Hachima Kikō]