Alper Uçar

Alper Uçar (born 19 January 1985) is a Turkish former competitive ice dancer. With his skating partner, Alisa Agafonova, he competed at two Winter Olympics (2014 and 2018) and won eight international medals, including silver at the 2011 Winter Universiade and three medals on the ISU Challenger Series. They skated in the final segment at six European Championships and four World Championships.

Alper Uçar
Born (1985-01-19) 19 January 1985
Denizli, Turkey
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Figure skating career
CountryTurkey
CoachAnjelika Krylova
Pasquale Camerlengo
Alexander Zhulin
Oleg Volkov
Natalia Dubova
Oleg Voyko
András Száraz
Timucin Özbükücü
Cenk Ertaul
Leonid Khatchaturov
Skating clubAltin Patenciler SC
Began skating1991
Retired25 March 2018[1]
Medal record
Representing  Turkey
Figure skating: Ice dancing
Winter Universiade
Silver medal – second place2011 ErzurumIce dancing

Earlier in his career, Uçar competed in single skating. He is the 2005 Turkish national champion and a four-time junior national champion.

Career

Early years

Uçar started skating in 1997,[2] after the first ice rink opened in Ankara, Turkey. He competed in single skating until 2009. In 2001, he won the gold medal in the novice men's event at the Balkan Games. He then took gold at a competition in the Netherlands.

In 2009, at the age of 24, Uçar switched to ice dancing and teamed up with Jenette Maitz from the United States. They competed together in the 2009–2010 season, winning the Turkish national title and placing 26th at the 2010 World Championships. They were coached by Natalia Dubova and Oleg Voyko in Stamford, Connecticut.[3]

First three seasons with Agafonova

In 2010, Uçar teamed up with Ukraine's Alisa Agafonova to compete for Turkey. They won a silver medal at the 2011 Winter Universiade, skating in their first season together.

Agafonova/Uçar placed 26th at the 2012 European Championships in Sheffield, England, and 31st at the 2012 World Championships in Nice, France.

Agafonova/Uçar were originally coached by Natalia Dubova and Oleg Voyko in Stamford, Connecticut.[4] They changed coaches in December 2012, deciding to join Alexander Zhulin and Oleg Volkov in Moscow, Russia.[5][6] They placed 13th at the 2013 European Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, and 28th at the 2013 World Championships in London, Ontario, Canada.

2013–2014 season

Agafonova/Uçar began their season at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy, the final Olympic qualifying opportunity. By finishing 5th, they earned a spot for Turkey in the ice dancing event at the Olympics. They then won a silver medal at the 2013 NRW Trophy.

Agafonova/Uçar finished 17th at the 2014 European Championships in Budapest, Hungary. In February, the two competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia; their short dance placement, 22nd, was insufficient to advance to the next segment. They qualified to the free dance and finished 20th overall at the 2014 World Championships, which took place in March in Saitama, Japan.

2014–2015 season

In December, Agafonova/Uçar won silver at the Santa Claus Cup in Hungary. In January, they took silver at the Toruń Cup in Poland and placed 12th at the 2015 European Championships in Stockholm, Sweden. In March, they achieved their career-best world placement, 16th, at the 2015 World Championships in Shanghai, China.

2015–2016 season

Making their Grand Prix debut, Agafonova/Uçar placed 7th at the 2015 Trophée Éric Bompard in November. In December 2015, the two moved to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to work with Anjelika Krylova and Pasquale Camerlengo due to visa problems which were exacerbated following the 2015 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown.[7]

They finished 12th at the 2016 European Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, and 21st at the 2016 World Championships in Boston, United States.

2016–2017 season

Agafonova/Uçar received two Grand Prix assignments; they placed 9th at the 2016 Skate America and 8th at the 2016 Rostelecom Cup. They ranked 11th at the 2017 European Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic.[8] It was the best continental result of their career.

The two finished 17th at the 2017 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Due to their result, Turkey qualified a spot in the ice dancing event at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

In March 2017, Uçar was elected to the ISU Athletes Commission as the ice dance representative.[9]

2017–2018 season
Agafonova/Uçar at the 2018 European Championships in Moscow

Agafonova/Uçar competed at two Grand Prix events and then won silver at the 2017 CS Tallinn Trophy. In January, they finished 13th at the 2018 European Championships in Moscow, Russia. In February, the two competed at the 2018 Winter Olympics and qualified to the final segment. They ranked 20th in the short dance, 18th in the free dance, and 19th overall in Pyeongchang, South Korea. They had the same result at the 2018 World Championships in Milan, Italy. They announced their retirement from competitive skating on March 25, 2018.[10][1]

Post-competitive career

In January 2019, Uçar moved to Estero, Florida, to coach at the Hertz Arena's International Skating Academy.[11]

Programs

With Agafonova
Season Short dance Free dance Exhibition
2017–2018
[2][12]
  • Samba: Cuba
    by DJ Rebel ft. Gibson Brothers
  • Rhumba: How Deep Is Your Love
    (DJ Maksy Remix)
    by Sophia Guem
  • Samba: Cuba
    by DJ Rebel ft. Gibson Brothers
2016–2017
[13]
2015–2016
[14]
  • Preserved Figs
    ("Incir Receli")
    by Engin Bayrak
2014–2015
[15]
  • Flamenco: Babaylon
    by Gaudi
  • Paso Doble: Fuegos
    by Puro Latino
  • Flamenco: Bailando bajo la luna
    by Chiquita Herrada
2013–2014
[16]
  • Quickstep: Stepping Out With My Baby
    by Frank Devol
  • Foxtrot
  • Quickstep
  • Black and Blue
    by Dave Brubeck
  • I Feel Good
    by James Brown
2012–2013
[5][6]
  • Fairytale
    by Alexander Rybak
  • Muhteşem Yüzyil
    (Magnificent Century)
    by Fahir Atakoglu
2011–2012
[4]
  • La vida es un carnaval
  • Historia de un amor
  • Baila baila conmigo
  • Summertime
    performed by Victoria Pierre-Marie
  • Istanbul Pas Constantinople
    by Ayhan Sicimoglu
2011–2012

With Maitz
Season Short dance Free dance
2009–2010
[3]
  • Tamally Maak
    (Turkish folk)

Single skating
Season Short program Free skating
2008–2009
[17]
  • Bolero
  • Step Up
2006–2008
[18][19]
2005–2006
[20]
  • Anatolian Fire
    (Sultan of Dance)
    by Mustafa Erdogan
  • Libertango
    by Astor Piazzolla
2004–2005
[21]
  • Anatolian Fire
    (Sultan of Dance)
    by Mustafa Erdogan
2003–2004
[22]
  • Malaguena
    by Ernesto Lecuona
2002–2003
[23]
  • Schindler's List
    by John Williams
2001–2002
[24]
  • The Tango Lesson
  • The Mummy
    by Jerry Goldsmith
2000–2001
[25]

Competitive highlights

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

Ice dancing with Agafonova
International[26]
Event 10–11 11–12 12–13 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18
Olympics22nd19th
Worlds31st28th20th16th21st17th19th
Europeans26th13th17th12th12th11th13th
GP France7th
GP Rostelecom8th9th
GP Skate America9th
GP Skate Canada10th
CS DS Cup1st
CS Golden Spin3rd7th
CS Mordovian4th
CS Nebelhorn6th
CS Tallinn Trophy4th2nd
CS U.S. Classic7th
CS Warsaw Cup6th
Universiade2nd
Bavarian Open6th
Crystal Skate5th
Cup of Nice8th
Golden Spin9th
Ice Challenge6th12th6th
Istanbul Cup4th
Mont Blanc Trophy5th
Nebelhorn Trophy11th5th
NRW Trophy7th9th9th2nd1st
Santa Claus Cup2nd
Toruń Cup4th2nd
Warsaw Cup5th

Ice dancing with Maitz
International[27]
Event 2009–10
World Championships26th
National
Turkish Championships1st

Single skating
International[28]
Event 98–99 99–00 00–01 01–02 02–03 03–04 04–05 05–06 06–07 07–08 08–09
Worlds41st33rd27th35th
Europeans33rd32nd25th29th
Challenge Cup11th
Finlandia Trophy16th
Golden Spin21st
Nepela Memorial19th15th
Schäfer Memorial19th
Triglav Trophy15th
Universiade22nd30th30th
International: Junior or novice[28]
Junior Worlds43rd35th33rd43rd
JGP Bulgaria17th
JGP Italy25th
Golden Bear2nd N5th J2nd J3rd J7th J
Triglav Trophy10th J12th J
National[28]
Turkish Champ.1st J1st J1st J1st J1st
Q = Qualifying round. Levels: N = Novice; J = Junior

References
  1. Agafonova, Alisa; Ucar, Alper (25 March 2018). "This was an emotional 8 years of our career. We say good bye to all our fans with our performance of free dance yesterday in Milano World Championship". Facebook (Facebook).
  2. "Alisa AGAFONOVA / Alper UCAR: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018.
  3. "Jenette MAITZ / Alper UCAR: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 15 May 2010.
  4. "Alisa AGAFONOVA / Alper UCAR: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012.
  5. "Alisa AGAFONOVA / Alper UCAR: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013.
  6. Bőd, Titanilla (27 February 2013). "Alisa Agafonova and Alper Ucar – a fairytale on the ice". Absolute Skating.
  7. Luchianov, Vladislav (24 May 2016). "Agafonova, Uçar show resolve in trying season". IceNetwork.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018.
  8. Bőd, Titanilla (21 March 2017). "Alisa Agafonova and Alper Ucar: "We always managed to overcome obstacles"". Absolute Skating.
  9. "John Coughlin (USA) & Alper Uçar (TUR) are elected to the ISU representative ISU Athletes Commission". International Skating Union. 31 March 2017.
  10. Calder, Anne (30 March 2018). "Agafonova & Uçar: The Final Dance". ice-dance.com.
  11. McKinnis, Mimi (15 January 2019). "Marina Zoueva Relocates International Skating Academy". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on 17 January 2019.
  12. "Athlete Profile - Alper UCAR". pyeongchang2018.com. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018.
  13. "Alisa AGAFONOVA / Alper UCAR: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 19 May 2017.
  14. "Alisa AGAFONOVA / Alper UCAR: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 27 May 2016.
  15. "Alisa AGAFONOVA / Alper UCAR: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015.
  16. "Alisa AGAFONOVA / Alper UCAR: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014.
  17. "Alper UCAR: 2008/2009". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009.
  18. "Alper UCAR: 2007/2008". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008.
  19. "Alper UCAR: 2006/2007". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 4 July 2007.
  20. "Alper UCAR: 2005/2006". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 28 August 2006.
  21. "Alper UCAR: 2004/2005". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 17 February 2005.
  22. "Alper UCAR: 2003/2004". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 10 June 2004.
  23. "Alper UCAR: 2002/2003". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 23 June 2003.
  24. "Alper UCAR: 2001/2002". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 13 June 2002.
  25. "Alper UCAR: 2000/2001". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 17 April 2001.
  26. "Competition Results: Alisa AGAFONOVA / Alper UCAR". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018.
  27. "Competition Results: Jenette MAITZ / Alper UCAR". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 15 March 2011.
  28. "Competition Results: Alper UCAR". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013.
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