Elladj Baldé has retired from competitive skating

[victorskid]

Not a surprise but now it's official - the Skate Canada news release: https://skatecanada.ca/2018/05/nati...j-balde-retires-from-competitive-competition/

 

[whiteskates]

He is very entertaining and I'm sure he will be asked to skate in many shows.

 

[Habs]

I have always loved Elladj's skating. He was a highlight at the 2008 Canadian nationals when he won his junior title.
I wish him all the best as he moves forward.

All the retirements in Canadian skating, while not unexpected, are going to make things look very different next year.

 

[quartz]

 

[SamuraiK]

I always rooted for Elladj despie his shortcoming because he offered quite a different style among the men's field. Good luck in the future.

CAN men's field is wide open now: Chan, Balde, Reynolds and Firus retiring. Nadeau and Sadovsky still young and Nguyen still struggling. Messing is right now the undisputed #1. It was a very fortunate decission to switch countries for him.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Best of health and happiness to him! What a pleasure to see him at Nationals this year

 

[Bonita]

I love his skating. He always made me smile and think of the good ole days of skating when it was more than a pogo stick contest. Best of luck to him.

 

[Twilight1]

Elladj Balde is amazing to watch live. I wish him the very best and hope he gets invited to lots of shows!!!

 

[nimi]

Here's his video farewell after 4CC:
https://www.facebook.com/isufigureskating/videos/1779996965358570/

"I might be done competing but I'm not done skating": With a heart felt message Elladj Balde ?? says goodbye to competitive figure skating after his 8th place at the ISU Four Continents Championships 2018.

He talks about coming back after concussions and being happy that he was able to finish his competitive career on his own terms and with good skates.

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

CAN men's field is wide open now: Chan, Balde, Reynolds and Firus retiring. Nadeau and Sadovsky still young and Nguyen still struggling. Messing is right now the undisputed #1. It was a very fortunate decission to switch countries for him.

Nam is 19, Sadovsky is 18, Nadeau is 20... Orzel is 17, Phan is 16.

The first three have the same age as some top FS World competitors. Sure they need some time cooking to add more growth to their skatng... but Nam is not that old nonetheless!

 

[SamuraiK]

Nam is 19, Sadovsky is 18, Nadeau is 20... Orzel is 17, Phan is 16.

The first three have the same age as some top FS World competitors. Sure they need some time cooking to add more growth to their skatng... but Nam is not that old nonetheless!

Well yes, maybe "young" wasnt the right word but what I meant is Nadeau/Sadovsky are still very green and newbies in the senior circuit. Nam debuted already at Senior Worlds 2014, reaching a top 5 in 2015 and then has struggled a lot for different reasons.

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

Well yes, maybe "young" wasnt the right word but what I meant is Nadeau/Sadovsky are still very green and newbies in the senior circuit. Nam debuted already at Senior Worlds 2014, reaching a top 5 in 2015 and then has struggled a lot for different reasons.

I get your point. We sometimes forget how young Nam is at times.

 

[mag]

Nam is 19, Sadovsky is 18, Nadeau is 20... Orzel is 17, Phan is 16.

The first three have the same age as some top FS World competitors. Sure they need some time cooking to add more growth to their skatng... but Nam is not that old nonetheless!

Nam is essentially 20 - his birthday is May 30. Nic is late born so in skating years they are the same age. Roman will turn 19 on May 31 (1 day after Nam turns 20). Joseph and Conrad are both late born so are actually considered 16 and 17 for the coming season.

 

[insideedgeua]

Elladj will be missed. Julie and Bruno were quite emotional throughout his free skate at 4CC, knowing that this was his last event. Even at the morning practice it was special, not tears, but happiness, almost as though Elladj was a little relieved at the idea Of his final early morning practice. It’s still sad to see it become official.

As for the younger men, maybe some of them will now see this as a big opportunity to take centre stage.

I’m rooting for Keegan and Nam ( well everyone really).

 

[leigh466]

Elladj Balde was always a joy to watch! He will be so missed. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts of performances you gave to us fans Elladj!

 

[TAHbKA]

Best of luck to Balde and really hope to see him skate in a show.

 

[Skate Talker]

I will miss his positive attitude and good humour along with his engaging skating. I wish he could tour with CSOI. (If they would have too many men then I would gladly take him instead of Elvis - just saying)

 

[Sylvia]

Elladj Balde is amazing to watch live. I wish him the very best and hope he gets invited to lots of shows!!!

He's already booked for all the Fantasy on Ice shows in Japan (5 cities): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...n-japan-over-5-weekends-may-25-july-1.103743/

It's been great to see how many shows he has been doing all the world in recent years (thanks to Ari Zakarian) and may his show/performing career continue to flourish!

He wrote this message of reflection & gratitude yesterday: https://www.instagram.com/p/BiX8NGchQpm/?taken-by=elladjbalde

 

[lala]

Elladje performed on many Plushenko shows, on KOI already. Ari Zakarian has recognized his talent

10 days ago in Perm https://www.instagram.com/p/BiD_ErcHyRw/

 

[sp555]

I always liked Elladj - he is a great performer!

Very nice to hear that Zakarian has given him opportunities to showcase his talent.

 

[barbarafan]

I will miss his positive attitude and good humour along with his engaging skating. I wish he co
Elladje has always been a fan favourite but CSOI is pretty strick as far as criteria for an invite. You have to have won nationals or pretty close to it.

 

[dinakt]

Thank you, Elladj, and best wishes! So. Much. Charisma. Loved watching him, hope to see him in shows.

 

[breathesgelatin]

Elladj features in two of my favorite stories of the past quad.

One, his surprise win at the 2015 Nebelhorn trophy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORzjnIUy2Uk

Two, his emotional story of meeting his grandfather in Guinea for the first time.
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2015/03/17/113021566/the-inside-edge-emotional-balde-meets-grandpa

 

[Japanfan]

I have always loved Elladj's skating. He was a highlight at the 2008 Canadian nationals when he won his junior title.

I attended that competition and endured the junior men's FS just to see Elladj. He landed 1 or 2 3A IIRC.

Elladj has a very bright future ahead in terms of show skating. I wish him all the best, and will miss him.

CAN men's field is wide open now: Chan, Balde, Reynolds and Firus retiring. Nadeau and Sadovsky still young and Nguyen still struggling. Messing is right now the undisputed #1. It was a very fortunate decission to switch countries for him.

Gogolov appears to be slotted in for 'the next one'.

In the meantime, yes, Messing is #1, and he decision to skate for Canada worked well for him. I hope he rises to the occasion and expands his range a bit from 'cute and fun'.

 

[Habs]

I attended that competition and endured the junior men's FS just to see Elladj. He landed 1 or 2 3A IIRC.

Elladj has a very bright future ahead in terms of show skating. I wish him all the best, and will miss him.

That junior men's FS was one of the worst events I've ever attended, except for Elladj. IIRC, he skated last and it was quite late at night. Totally worth it.

 

[Seerek]

I had selfishly hoped that Balde would have received the nod for Worlds after placing ahead of Nguyen overall at Four Continents. In any event, to end your career with such excellent performances is probably more satisfying than any medal really - Congrats Elladj!.

 

[professordeb]

I am going to miss that mega-watt smile of his.

 

[Bellanca]

I am going to miss that mega-watt smile of his.

Absolutely!

Good luck and great success to Elladj!!

 

[Japanfan]

That junior men's FS was one of the worst events I've ever attended, except for Elladj. IIRC, he skated last and it was quite late at night. Totally worth it.

Agreed that it was worth it!

But I will never again endure the entire Men's junior competition at Canadian Nationals.