Today I would like to continue the once started topic of the classification of dancers, and continue it with the topic of classification by age groups. If last time we talked about, today we will finish this business by talking about classification in ballroom dancing by age.
Very often in my articles I mention various festivals and types of competitions. You could also pay attention to the presence in my texts of such words as "amateurs" and "professionals". It happened that the categories “Juniors” or “Seniors” that were not clear for everyone slipped through ... In general, I will not beat around the bush, be clever and express myself eloquently, but I will get down to business in essence, and then we will talk about classification of dancers in ballroom dancing by age group.
According to the rules World Federation Dance Sports (WDSF) in the CTSR (Union of Dance Sports of Russia) the following age categories have been introduced:
* NOTE! Added age category "C-4" (Seniors-4). The age for this category is 65/60 years and older.
As we all know, one of distinctive features ballroom dancing from others is that they are paired. Therefore, speaking of Classifications in ballroom dancing by age groups, there is a rule that the second partner in a pair may be younger than the lower age limit of his age category. For the categories "Children - 2", "Juniors - 1", "Juniors - 2" and "Youth" - this is a maximum of two years, and in the category "Adults" - a maximum of five years.
And one more important point . Organizers of competitions of all levels, from club to international, are required to use the designations of age categories in oral announcements, official documents and other printed materials (click on the picture to enlarge it):
For example, until the end of 2013, there was a rule that both partners in the Seniors-1 category could not be younger than 35 years old. Since January 1, 2014, this rule has been rewritten, and not only in this part.
Don't be surprised when you come across the Children of War category. Competitions in this category are provided exclusively for athletes born between 1941 and 1945, but over time there are practically no such competitions, and the category itself will remain in the past.
Especially important rule in ballroom dancing is the influence of the age category on the ability to take part in certain training classes for dancers. For example, if your child turns 11 years old this year (!), he accordingly falls under the category "Children - 2", and you are sure that he can already participate on equal terms in "world" competitions (that is, in "S ” or “M” class) - I have to inform you that the highest class in which your child could compete is the “C” class.
Perhaps for some of you this rule will cause absolute misunderstanding and indignation, but you must admit that at the age of 11, not all children are technically able to complete the Latin American and European ballroom dancing program in the "S" or "M" class. However, I have always said, and I will say: there is an exception!
I also want to note that according to these rules, tournaments in the "M" class are available to dancers who have reached the age group "Youth-2", "Adults", "Senior-1", "Senior-2", "Senior-3".
I will give you a table that clearly explains what has been said:
* NOTE! The age category "C-4" (Seniors-4) also has allowed classes: "E", "D", "C", "B", "A", "S", "M".
Actually, one rule generates another, and the other generates the third, and so on until the conditionally the latter flows into the first! A kind of vicious circle on which any discipline rests. Sports ballroom dancing is no exception, in which the classification of dancers in ballroom dancing by age groups affects the ability to participate in competitions of certain training classes of dancers, and each training class provides for a specifically permitted outfit for the dancer, which is a prerequisite for participation in competitions.
However, the topic of clothing is already a separate conversation, to which you should definitely pay your attention! I suggest you learn more about what sports ballroom dancing exists today.
I don't say goodbye to you! See you tomorrow!
Sincerely, Denis Panchul
The training of juniors has been developed by specialists to a much lesser extent than the training of juniors and adult riders. This age range is a kind of blank spot. Coaches working with juniors should remember that their bodies are still in a state of development. The global task at this age is the need to implement the process of natural development of the body of young skiers. Excessive loads will negatively affect the formation of the main body systems. An unrealized natural development program is a mistake that deprives an athlete of a favorable prospect. The program for the formation of man, which has evolved over thousands of years, must be given the opportunity to be fully realized. This is a necessary condition that prepares the body for more serious stress in older age groups. One of the main indicators of the development of the body is the biological age, which is determined as the formation of secondary sexual characteristics. By the age of 17-19, the process of puberty is completed, and this method no longer works. The only accurate way to determine biological age remains - by the degree of ossification (ossification) of the bones of the skeleton. Body weight and length are close to their peak values. The length and proportions of the limbs take the final form, this contributes to the stabilization of the technique of movement. Main motor qualities are at the final stage of natural development. In particular, by the end of the junior age, the speed is close to the completion of its development. Speed-strength qualities by this age are mostly formed due to the speed component. Their further growth will occur due to the strength component, since strength reaches its maximum in the course of natural development later than speed. Endurance in juniors is still in a state of natural development. This is a profile motor quality for skiers, let's take a closer look at it.
For this, the materials of V. Kostarev’s research were used (“ skiing» No. 4 (10) for 1998, p. 108), who developed a mathematical model of the physical capabilities of skiers and marathon runners in the form of a table of age coefficients. Its digital material has been converted by me into a graphic image for clarity. Since V. Kostarev's study was conducted on skiers and marathon runners, the presented material should be perceived as the dynamics of endurance development in a wide age range.
In the presented graph, three states of endurance are visible. State of development up to 24 years, stabilization from 24 to 32 years, regression after 32 years. In some individuals, the indicated borderline states may not coincide somewhat. The state of development is characterized by its different rates. As age increases, they decrease. Quite clearly, they slow down at the age of 16 to 19 years. This process is even more pronounced from 19 to 22 years. The average annual rate of development of endurance up to 16 years is 5.0%, from 16 to 19 - 1.4% and from 19 to 22 - 0.8%. Therefore, when the resources of the body of young men are directed to its active development, they (resources) should not be “used for other purposes”. Young skiers during puberty are most vulnerable. Systematic highly functional long-term loads do not allow to implement the program of natural development of the body of adolescents. And what is an unrealized, distorted program laid down by mother nature herself? This is a kind of ugliness, only it is invisible, in contrast to the external physical. The answer to invisible ugliness will also be invisible. The coach will not see his best boys among the best in juniors.
A similar danger lies in wait for juniors, as the process of natural formation of the body continues. The transition from young men to juniors must be carried out delicately. The body does not know that it is now in juniors and continues to develop according to a pattern that has been debugged for millennia, smoothly, slowly (see diagram) approaching the end of its biological maturation. Increase training load, follows in accordance with the growing capabilities of the body, observing the continuity at the turn of the young men-juniors. The accepted age gradation does not mean sharp qualitative changes in the state of the organism. The development of body systems is characterized by heterochrony and uneven rates of their maturation. Taking into account these features, the author developed the age dynamics of annual volumes of cyclic load from beginners to adult skiers. There are three options for preparing for sprint, middle and distance distances. The essence of the developed dynamics is the use of optimal volumes of cyclic load and its gradual increase during puberty. This avoids the negative impact on the process of active, natural formation of body systems. Let me remind you that during puberty, weight and body length increase by 30 kg and 33 cm, respectively. The maximum oxygen consumption increases by 220%. The main motor qualities are strength, speed, speed-strength, endurance, demonstrate high growth rates. All these processes have a very definite, most important meaning, striving for one single goal. An organism, having reached puberty and having reproduced offspring, must be able to provide it with the necessary conditions for development. Obligatory of them are the extraction of food and protection. In the wild, it is possible to do this only if you have certain motor conditions. The practical application of the developed dynamics of annual volumes of cyclic load shows its viability. More information about this material can be found in the book written by the author of these lines.
And now let's consider the continuity of the success of performances at the turn of juniors - adults. For this, the results of the performances of the national teams of the USSR and Russia at the European Championships (EC) 1968 - 1979 and World Championships (WCH) 1979 - 2012 were used. At the same time, two data sets were found. In the period from 1968 to 1984, the data of the first six places and all our participants, regardless of their occupied places, is contained. The second array of information from 1968 to 2012 consists only of winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd places). Let's start with him.
Number of prizes at the World and European Championships among juniors, 1968-2012
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Boys + girls |
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Champions |
Champions |
Champions |
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USSR + Russia |
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Norway |
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Finland |
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It can be seen from the content of the table that our juniors surpass the recognized ones in prize places. ski countries peace. In terms of the number of trained world champions in juniors and juniors in the aggregate, we surpass Sweden and Finland by 3 and 4 times, respectively. It would seem that such a potential will grow into similar success in the category of adult skiers. However, this does not happen.
But first, let's try to understand the origins of such a global advantage for our juniors. One of the most probable reasons seems to be the following. Talented, gifted, capable individuals, whatever it may be, are more or less evenly distributed among the populations inhabiting the planet. Based on this, let's estimate the population of Norway is 5 million, Finland 5.5 million, Sweden 10 million, in Russia - 146. Where is the probability of the appearance of talented, gifted and capable skiers more? We have it more than in Norway and Finland by 29 times, and 14 times more than in Sweden. The proverb just asks: “Yes, we will shower them with hats.” So, for one born talented skier in Norway or Finland, we have 29 such talents. This is one of the most likely reasons for our superiority at the Junior Worlds. The other is probably next. Some of the young men somehow escaped the draconian methods of training in the Youth Sports School. Such athletes become juniors, retaining the potential for progress in results. This is a high-quality contingent, but even at this age, the pursuit of results leads to negative consequences.
And now let's move on to a detailed analysis, revision, of the national treasure, which are the members of the junior national team of the country. And this is not pathos. Super-talented young skiers can become a world champion, and more than once. Let's trace sports career our national treasure on the male contingent.
One measure of talent is the number of participations in the World Cup. As you know, the age of juniors lasts three years. However, this did not prevent V. Smirnov from participating in the World Cup 4 times (1981 - 1984). This is an indicator of the highest degree of talent, which he demonstrated by becoming an adult athlete. FROM Olympic Games and the World Cup, he brought 18 medals, 5 of which are gold. Three times participated in the World Cup A. Chaiko, G. Lazutin, P. Sedov. All three competed among adults at the Olympics and the World Championships, showing results outside the top ten. 16 people participated in two World Championships among juniors. Twelve of them competed at the Olympic Games and World Championships among adult athletes.
Now consider the range from 1968 to 1985. It contains the results not only of the first six places, but also of all members of our team. This expands the possibilities of analysis. During this period, 50 people were recorded in the national team. Of these, 13 riders participated in the Olympic Games and World Championships among adults. Of the thirteen, two: V. Sakhnov and V. Prokurorov - at the junior world championships took places 13 and 6.7, respectively.
Thus, the analysis of the quantity and quality of performances of our juniors at the European and World Championships allows us to draw the following conclusions. Participants in two and even more three World Cups are more likely to have a favorable outlook. Higher occupied place also increases the chances of getting into the national team of adult skiers. The owners of the combination of these two conditions have the highest probability of participation in the Olympic Games and the World Championship among the strongest skiers in the world.
Consider the results of our most titled juniors in the category of senior skiers. This honorary list is headed by the six-time world champion, participant of three championships G. Lazutin. Excellent results, brilliant prospects. However, his highest senior finishes are 5th in the relay and 15th in the 30K at the 1994 Olympics.
G. Karachevsky - five-time champion world, participant of two championships. Rainbow perspective. Nevertheless, the best achievements: World Cup 1991 50 km 42nd place, OI 1992 duathlon 43rd place.
P. Sedov is a five-time world champion and a participant in three championships. Status - compete. At the beginning of 2018, the highest achievement, 8th place in the relay at the 2010 Olympics and 21st place at the 2011 World Cup in the duathlon.
A. Chaiko is a four-time world champion, a participant in three world championships. At the 1982 World Cup in the 30 km race, he showed 19 results.
Y. Skobov is a three-time world champion, a participant in two championships. During the years of his performances in individual races, one medal was played. Achievements: participant of two Olympic Games and World Championships, Olympic champion in the relay, vice-world champion in the relay, 5th place in the 15 km race.
C. Ustyugov is a three-time world champion, a participant in two championships. Status - compete. Achievements, World Cup 2017 gold 2, silver 2.
E. Dementiev - two-time champion peace. Achievements: won 6 medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships.
Two-time world champions A. Shmigun, A. Astashkin, K. Nagombaev, V. Yusupov in the adult category did not participate in the Olympic Games and the World Championship among adults.
Thus, the excellent achievements of juniors are a prerequisite, a probability that is not always realized when moving to the category of senior skiers.
The following material is worthy of its own subtitle. Perhaps he partially explains the unfulfilled hopes of some juniors when moving to the senior category.
Debut
In this part, we will consider how the debut of Russian and Scandinavian juniors among adults takes place. Of our junior medalists, 50% of them made their senior Olympic or World Championship debuts. The Swedes, Norwegians and Finns have 57, 45 and 42%, respectively. Here we go as if on a par with everyone. However, in absolute terms, the picture is as follows. Our 50% is 26 people. For the Swedes, Norwegians and Finns, according to their percentages, these are 12, 15 and 5 people. The debut is different for us and for them. Our yesterday's juniors, having become adults, on average, after 1.5 years, participate in the Olympic Games or the World Cup. In Finns, this happens on average after 4.8 years. They do not rush their yesterday's juniors, withstanding them for almost 5 years. The Swedes allow their national treasure to highest level competition after an average of 4.2 years. The Norwegians do the same, keeping, ripening the future pride of the nation for 4.1 years. And we test our own for strength right away, we have a lot of them, why feel sorry for them, it will suddenly work out. Yes, it does, sometimes. Let's look at our debutants in chronological order.
Yu. Skobov became our first champion in 1968 and 1969. In 1970, that is, in the first year of senior performances, he participated in the World Cup, 15 km 16th place. But in 1972 he was already an Olympic champion.
E. Belyaev in the second year of performances in adults, vice champion of the Olympic Games.
A. Ivanov in 1977 finished competing in juniors. In 1978, the participant of the World Cup, 50 km, 14th place. But three years later at the World Championships at the same distance, he is already the seventh.
A. Chaiko, a participant in three world championships, a four-time world champion in juniors, a brilliant prospect. Retired from juniors in 1980. Fortunately, in 1981 there was no Olympics or World Cup. And here is 1982, 30 km - 19th result. There are no more starts at the level of the Olympic Games and the World Cup.
A. Batyuk made his debut successfully. A year later, at the 1982 World Cup, in races of 15 and 50 km, he was fifth and fourth, respectively. Two years later, he performed less successfully at the Olympics.
A. Nikitenko, a year later, a participant in the World Cup 30 km, 38th place. That's it, a high career is over.
G. Gutnikov a year later the World Cup 1997.10 km 31st place, duathlon - 26th result. He did not participate in the Olympics and the World Cup.
D.Tishkin, OI 2002, after one year of participation in adults, 30 km, 29th result. Everything, a career at the level of the Olympic Games and the World Cup is over.
E. Dementiev, World Championship in one year, duathlon 22nd place. In the next 2006 Olympic Games, two doping medals.
P. Sedov is the most demonstrative negative case. In 2010 he was a junior, participant of the Olympic Games, 15 km 26th place, 50 km "???!!!" 24th place. To declare a junior in a 50 km race, to put it mildly, is not professional.
E. Belov, the first year of performance for men in 2011, 15 km 37 result.
Thus, we see two options for the debut of yesterday's juniors among adult skiers. The Scandinavians are keeping their budding young riders under 24. Our coaches are in a hurry to debut at the Olympic and World Championship levels. What this position of our specialists is based on is not clear. Look again at the picture, after 21 years the body is still in development, do not interfere with it, let it ripen. There is no need to hurry, since the age of the highest achievements in cross-country skiing begins, in rare cases, at 20 years of age and continues until 40 years of age. But it is not all that bad. There are encouraging examples. S. Ustyugov got his first medals in individual races 4 years after leaving the juniors. Scandinavian version. I would like to think that this is a conscious action, and not accidental.
JUNIOR JUNIOR (Latin junior - junior), an athlete, as a rule, at the age of 19-22 years (for example, in tennis - 19-20 years). In many sports, competitions are held among junior teams (youth teams), including European and world championships.
Modern Encyclopedia. 2000 .
Synonyms:See what "JUNIOR" is in other dictionaries:
- [lat. junior junior] sport. an athlete under the age of 18 participating in competitions of athletes of his age group. Dictionary of foreign words. Komlev N.G., 2006. junior (lat. junior junior) participant sports competitions in one of ... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language
Young athlete, young man Dictionary of Russian synonyms. junior n., number of synonyms: 2 athlete (139) young man ... Synonym dictionary
- (lat. junior junior) an athlete, usually aged 19 22 years (for example, in tennis 19 20 years). In many sports, competitions are held among junior teams (youth teams), including world, European and Russian championships ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
JUNIOR, a, m. An athlete is a young man, a participant in competitions in his age group. Junior finals. Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 ... Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov
Junior: A junior participant in youth sports competitions. "Junior" hockey club from Belarus, which is a farm club hockey club Youth Minsk. "Junior" All-Russian competition of scientific works of schoolchildren, held annually in ... Wikipedia
BUT; m. [from lat. junior junior] A participant in sports competitions in one of the youth age groups; young athlete. Junior team. Junior competition. * * * junior (lat. junior junior), athlete, usually aged 19 22 years old ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary
Wrestling, boxing and weight lifting have introduced weight categories because in these sports too much depends on the weight of the athlete, which to a large extent determines and muscle mass body, in other words, strength. All boxing, wrestling and weightlifting competitors have an equal opportunity to become champions.
Boxing
Competitions young men of the younger age group (14-15 years old) are held without dividing the participants into weight categories. After weighing, the pairs are made up in such a way that the difference in the weight of the boxers does not exceed 2 kg.
Competitions for older boys (16-17 years old) are held in 13 weight categories:
the first lightest - 44-46 kg;
the second lightest - up to 48 kg;
the first lightest - up to 50 kg;
the second lightest - up to 52 kg;
featherweight - up to 54 kg;
light - up to 57 kg;
first welterweight - up to 60 kg;
second welterweight - up to 63 kg;
the first average - up to 66 kg;
the second average - up to 70 kg;
light heavy - up to 74 kg;
the first heavy - up to 80 kg;
the second heavy - over 80 kg.
Competitions for juniors (18-19 years old) and adults (20 years old and older) are held in 11 weight categories:
the first lightest - 46-48 kg;
the second lightest (sometimes this weight category is called the “fly” weight) - up to 51 kg;
the lightest (the weight of the "rooster") - up to 54 kg;
featherweight (feather weight) - up to 57 kg;
light - up to 60 kg;
first welterweight - up to 63.5 kg;
second welterweight - up to 67 kg;
the first average - up to 71 kg;
the second average - up to 75 kg;
light heavy - up to 81 kg;
heavy - over 81 kg.
A boxer can compete only in the weight category assigned to him during the weigh-in.
Weightlifting
Boys and juniors under the age of 20 divided into 8 weight categories:
light heavyweight- up to 90 kg inclusive;
heavy weight - over 90 kg.
Juniors aged 20-22 and seniors (23 years and older) compete in 10 weight categories:
flyweight - up to 52 kg inclusive;
the lightest weight - up to 56 kg inclusive;
semi a light weight- up to 60 kg inclusive;
light weight - up to 67.5 kg inclusive;
semi average weight- up to 75 kg inclusive;
average weight - up to 82.5 kg inclusive;
first light heavyweight - up to 90 kg inclusive;
second light heavyweight - up to 100 kg inclusive;
the first heavy weight - up to 110 kg inclusive;
the second heavy weight is over 110 kg.
Weighing at weightlifters is secret. The results are announced only after the weighing of all participants in the competition among athletes of the same weight category. The advantage is the one whose own weight is less.
Freestyle and classical wrestling
Participants are divided into the following weight categories:
adolescents (12-13 years old) and young boys (14-15 years old):
the first flyweight - from 32 to 35 kg;
second flyweight - up to 38 kg;
the first lightest weight - up to 41 kg;
the second lightest weight - up to 44 kg;
the first featherweight - up to 47 kg;
second featherweight - up to 50 kg;
the first light weight - up to 53 kg;
the second light weight - up to 56 kg;
first welterweight - up to 59 kg;
second welterweight - up to 62 kg;
the first average weight - up to 65 kg;
the second average weight - up to 68 kg;
first light heavyweight - up to 71 kg;
second light heavyweight - up to 74 kg;
the first heavy weight - up to 77 kg;
the second heavy weight - over 77 kg.
Senior youth (16-17 years old):
the first flyweight - from 42 to 45 kg;
the lightest weight - up to 52 kg;
featherweight - up to 56 kg;
light weight - up to 60 kg;
light heavyweight - up to 87 kg;
heavy weight - over 87 kg.
Juniors (18-19 years old) and adults (19 years old and over):
flyweight - up to 48 kg;
lightest weight - up to 52 kg;
featherweight - up to 57 kg;
light weight - up to 62 kg;
first welterweight - up to 68 kg;
second welterweight - 74 kg;
the first average weight is up to 82 kg;
light heavyweight - up to 100 kg;
heavy weight - over 100 kg.
Sambo
In sambo wrestling, the following weight categories are:
Teenagers (12-13 years old):
the first flyweight - up to 29 kg;
second flyweight - up to 32 kg;
the first lightest weight - up to 35 kg;
the second lightest weight - up to 38 kg;
first featherweight - up to 41 kg;
second featherweight - up to 44 kg;
the first light weight - up to 47 kg;
the second light weight - up to 50 kg;
first welterweight - up to 53 kg;
second welterweight - up to 56 kg;
the first average weight - up to 59 kg;
the second average weight - up to 62 kg;
first light heavyweight - up to 65 kg;
second light heavyweight - up to 68 kg;
the first heavy weight - up to 71 kg;
the second heavy weight - over 71 kg.
In young boys (14-15 years old) the same 16 weight categories, but they start with a weight of up to 35 kg, are replaced every 3 kg and end with a weight of over 77 kg.
Senior youth (16-17 years old):
the first flyweight - up to 45 kg;
second flyweight - up to 48 kg;
the lightest weight - up to 52 kg;
featherweight - up to 56 kg;
light weight - up to 60 kg;
first welterweight - up to 65 kg;
second welterweight - up to 70 kg;
the first average weight - up to 75 kg;
the second average weight - up to 81 kg;
light heavyweight - up to 87 kg;
heavy weight - over 87 kg.
Juniors (18-19 years old) and adults:
flyweight - up to 48 kg;
the lightest weight - up to 52 kg;
featherweight - up to 57 kg;
light weight - up to 62 kg;
first welterweight - up to 68 kg;
second welterweight - up to 74 kg;
the first average weight - up to 82 kg;
the second average weight - up to 90 kg;
light heavyweight - up to 100 kg;
heavy weight - over 100 kg.
Notes
1. Despite the fact that the teen, youth and junior categories are updated very rarely, the information on the categories may be out of date, check with other sources. The data given is current as of 1979.
2. According to the decision of the Executive Committee All-Russian Federation Sambo, which took place on September 30, 2011 in Moscow, it was decided to change the weight categories in Sambo among boys and girls (11-12 years old, 13-14 years old and 15-16 years old) from January 1, 2012.
Boys - 42, 46, 50, 55, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, over 84 kg.
Girls - 38, 41, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 65, 70, over 70 kg.
Boys - 35, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 59, 65, 71, over 71 kg.
Girls - 34, 37, 40, 43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 65, over 65 kg.
Boys - 31, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 55, 60, 65, over 65 kg.
Girls - 26, 29, 34, 37, 40, 43, 47, 51, 55, over 55 kg.
The International Skating Union divides skaters into several age groups. The main ones juniors(Junior) and adults(senior). Some international competitions also include competitions in younger age groups, such as Novice.
Age limits in singles and doubles figure skating and ice dancing
- In adults international tournaments only those athletes who as of July 1* are 15 years of age or older;
- Athletes whose age on July 1* meets the following requirements can take part in international junior tournaments:
- over 13 years*;
- in single skating: Under 19*
- in pair skating and ice dancing: female partner under 19* and partner under 21*.
* Literally "by the 1st of preceding July"("on the 1st day of the previous July"). This date was chosen because July 1st is considered the beginning of the new season in official ISU documents.
There is often confusion with these concepts, because in a number of countries, for example, in the USA and Canada, the terms Junior and Senior do not correspond to the age, but to the level of the athlete and are approximate analogues of the Russian categories "candidate for master of sports" and "master of sports". In these countries, skaters who pass, respectively, the Junior Test or Senior Test, get the opportunity to take part in the national championship in the Junior or Senior categories. The difficulty is that at the World Junior Championships and stages of the Junior Grand Prix series, these countries are usually represented by skaters who competed in the Seniors category at the national championship, but satisfy the "international" age criterion for junior athletes. At the same time, a situation may well arise when the winner of the "adult" championship of the country, due to age, cannot compete not only in adults, but also in junior competitions. An example of this is the 2009 Russian champion Adelina Sotnikova, who won the tournament at the age of 12 and could not compete at the international level even in juniors for a long time.
Age limits were introduced at the 1996 ISU Congress. Many people associated the introduction of new rules with a string of successes. young athletes, including Oksana Baiul and Michelle Kwan, at the big competitions of previous years, and with the ISU's desire to avoid the image of a teenage sport, like that, which has developed in gymnastics. However, a number of skaters who had already competed at the adult world championship before the new rules were introduced, such as the future 1998 Olympic champion Tara Lipinski (she participated in the 1996 world championship at the age of 13), were given the opportunity to continue to compete at the main championships, although their age and did not fit into the new framework. At the world championship following the introduction of restrictions, it was Lipinski who won, whose age still did not meet the rules.
Until 2000, the rules provided for an exception that allowed athletes who had not yet reached the "adult" age to compete in adult championships if they became prize-winners of the World Junior Championship. Among those who managed to get to the World Championships, taking advantage of this opportunity, was the 2002 Olympic champion Sarah Hughes, who made her debut at the World Championships in 1999.
A year before the Olympics in Turin in 2006, two athletes appeared on the world stage at once - Yu-Na Kim and Mao Asada, whose dates of birth did not allow them to participate in the Olympics, but whose programs were quite competitive at the adult level. The Japanese Federation tried to get the age restrictions removed, especially after the 14-year-old Asada won the Grand Prix Final of the adult series, but their endeavor was not successful.
Prior to the 2014-2015 season, the age requirements for participants in the ISU Championships (15 years old on July 1) were different from those for other adult tournaments, including the Grand Prix Series stages (14 years old on July 1).