Igor Ksenofontov
Although his parents didn't consider it a serious occupation, he liked sport from the very young age and took part in regional competitions in volleyball, swimming, figure skating.[4] After he graduated from school Ksenofontov spend a year working in metallurgy, which he later remembered as a job for "strong men", but monotonous.[4] In 1958 he moved to Omsk and entered the Siberian Academy of Physical Culture, after graduation in 1962 taught at the Faculty of Cycle Sport and Speed Skating.In 1964 he returned to Sverdlovsk and started teaching at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (Ural State Technical University).[4] He was also known for culinary skills; his mastery in sharpening and fixing figure skate blades;[3] the ability to recognize the skaters's potential almost instantly;[5] and for long-term close friendship with other coaches including Igor Moskvin, Edouard Pliner, Viktor Kudryavtsev, Vladislav Petukhov, Valentin Nikolaev, Galina Zmievskaya, Mikhail Drey, and Vladimir Kaprov.