- published: 29 Mar 2012
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Alena Igorevna Leonova (Russian: Алёна Игоревна Леонова, born 23 November 1990) is a Russian figure skater. She is the 2012 World silver medalist, the 2011 Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, the 2009 World Junior champion, two-time (2010–2011) Russian national silver medalist and the 2012 Russian national bronze medalist.
Leonova was born in Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. She started skating at the age of 4. Her sister and brother also skated when they were young. Leonova was initially coached by Marina Vakhrameeva and later moved to the group of Tatiana Mishina, who was assisted by Alla Piatova; Piatova formed her own group and became Leonova's main coach when she was 10.
In her Junior career, Leonova was the two-time Coupe de Nice gold medalist and won silver at the 2007 Junior Grand Prix Romania, Leonova also won the silver medal at the 2008 Russian Junior Championships. In August 2008, she partially tore ligaments in her right ankle joint. She placed 4th at the 2009 European Championships. Leonova was then placed on the team to the 2009 World Junior Championships and won the World Junior title. After her win, the Russian Federation rented an apartment for her.[citation needed]