Cherkasova and Shakhrai were 12 and 18 respectively when they were paired together.[1] Initially, there was a 35 cm (1 ft 2 in) height difference between the pair, with Cherkasova 138 cm (4 ft 6+1⁄2 in) tall.[2]
Cherkasova was 12 when the pair captured the bronze medal at their first European Championship in 1977; they also won the bronze at the Soviet Championships.[3][1][1] Their height difference facilitated innovation in twist and lift elements; they became the first pair to perform a triple jump (the toe loop) at the Prize of Moscow News on 9 December 1977[4] and the quadruple twist lift in 1977.[5] According to figure skating historian James R. Hines, their twist lift was possible due to their "enormous differences in their height and weight",[3] leading the International Skating Union to adopt a rule that penalized pairs teams with a "serious imbalance" in their physical appearances.[3] In 1978, they won the silver medal at the European Championships and again came in fourth place at Worlds.
In 1979, they won the European and Soviets titles, and came in second place at Worlds.[3] By 1980 Cherkasova had grown 20 cm (8 in).[2] The change affected their technical elements, however, the pair managed to win silver at 1980 Europeans, silver at the 1980 Olympics, and gold at Worlds.[6][2][3][1] At the age of 15 years, 93 days, Cherkasova was one of the youngest figure skating Olympic medalists.
Shakhrai's problems lifting his now 45 kg (99 lb) partner eventually resulted in them splitting up. By 1981, Cherkasova had grown so tall that Shakhrai could no longer effectively lift her.[2] They missed the medal podium at the Worlds and finished in fourth place. They also came in third place at Europeans.[1]
Cherkasova and Shakhrai skated together for another year, but "were less successful than they had been",[1] and the Soviet federation eased them out of competition. Cherkasova was 19 years old and Shakhrai was 25. Cherkasova skated as a professional for a few years.[1]
Later life
In 1982, Cherkasova joined the Moscow Ice Ballet where she met her husband.[2] In 1986, they had a son, Vitaly, and a few years later, a daughter named Daria.[2] In the 1990s, she was a school teacher in Moscow and a figure skating coach in Italy. By 2000, she was a children's coach in Moscow.[2][1]
