Yakov Feltsman

Name: Yakov Feltsman

Gender: Male

Age: 70

Occupation: Figure skating coach

Affiliation: Chugompion Sports Club

Family: Lilia Baranovskaya (ex-wife)

Voice actor (Japanese dub): Hideaki Tezuka

Yakov Feltsman is a legendary Russian figure skating coach who raised Victor Nikiforov, the “living legend” of the sport.

He also coaches or has coached Yuuri Plisetsky, Georgi Popovich, and likely Mila Babicheva, all of whom train at the same club.

As Victor’s coach, he watched Victor dominate the skating world for years and is deeply invested in his career.

He later becomes indirectly connected to Yuuri Katsuki as Victor’s mentor and, eventually, as Yuuri’s “grand-coach.”

Yakov has a fiery temper and a very strict coaching style.

He harshly scolds anyone who does not follow his training methods, regardless of their status or talent.

He is easily exasperated by his students, especially Victor and Yuuri Plisetsky, both of whom are troublemakers in their own very different ways.

Despite his yelling and gruff exterior, his actions consistently show a deep sense of responsibility and attachment to his skaters.

Yakov calls Victor by the affectionate nickname “Vitya,” revealing a long and close coach–student relationship underneath all the shouting.

He is blunt, stubborn, and proud, but he also has enough flexibility to cooperate with others when it truly benefits his skaters.

Victor Nikiforov

Yakov is best known as the coach who raised Victor Nikiforov to become a global superstar and a “living legend” of figure skating.

He supervised Victor’s training at the Chugompion Sports Club from a young age, shaping his technique, artistry, and competitive mindset.

When Victor suddenly announces his decision to step away from competition and become a coach for Yuuri Katsuki, Yakov strongly opposes it.

He worries that once Victor leaves the ice as an active competitor, it will be impossible for him to return to the same level.

Yakov also believes that someone who thinks of himself as “the best” is not suited to be a coach.

From his perspective, a good coach needs humility, patience, and the willingness to stand behind the athlete, not in front of them.

Even so, their relationship does not end with Victor’s departure.

Yakov’s continuing involvement in Victor’s circle shows that he still cares deeply about his former student.

Yuuri Plisetsky

Yuuri Plisetsky is one of Yakov’s current star pupils, a junior champion with enormous talent and an explosive personality.

Training Yuuri is a constant challenge, as Yuuri is hotheaded, confident, and often difficult to control.

To help Yuuri reach a higher level of expression and discipline, Yakov asks his ex-wife, the former Bolshoi Ballet prima donna Lilia Baranovskaya, to help train him.

This leads to Yuuri living together with both Yakov and Lilia, combining strict skating coaching with elite ballet instruction.

Yakov’s decision to bring Lilia in shows how seriously he takes Yuuri’s potential.

He is willing to endure personal awkwardness if it means Yuuri can grow as a skater.

Georgi Popovich

Georgi Popovich is another of Yakov’s students at the Chugompion Sports Club.

Though less flashy than Victor or Yuuri Plisetsky, Georgi is a skilled competitor shaped by Yakov’s traditional, disciplined training approach.

Georgi’s dramatic and emotional skating programs often contrast humorously with Yakov’s no-nonsense demeanor.

Still, Yakov supports him as firmly as he does his more high-profile pupils.

Mila Babicheva

Mila Babicheva, a top-ranked female skater (world rank 3), also belongs to the Chugompion Sports Club.

It is strongly implied that she is one of Yakov’s students, given that she trains under the same system and interacts with the rest of his group.

Her presence further highlights how talent-dense Yakov’s coaching environment is.

Surrounded by such strong personalities, Yakov’s life is full of chaos and responsibility.

Yuuri Katsuki (Grand-Student)

Yuuri Katsuki is not Yakov’s direct student but is effectively his “grand-student” through Victor.

At first, Yakov disapproves of Victor leaving competition to coach Yuuri.

However, when Victor’s beloved dog Makkachin faces a medical emergency and Victor must return to Japan, Yakov steps in.

He temporarily acts as Yuuri’s coach in Victor’s place, showing that he is still willing to help Victor and support Victor’s athlete when it truly matters.

This decision proves that Yakov’s anger over Victor’s choices does not erase their bond.

His gruff cooperation underlines his professionalism and quiet affection for both Victor and Yuuri.

Lilia Baranovskaya, a former prima donna of the Bolshoi Ballet, is Yakov’s ex-wife.

Yakov contacts her to help refine Yuuri Plisetsky’s expression and discipline, bringing her into his training environment.

As a result, Yakov, Lilia, and Yuuri end up living together during Yuuri’s intensive training period.

Lilia clearly tells Yakov that she has no intention of rekindling their relationship.

When she rejects the idea of getting back together, Yakov’s flustered and slightly high-pitched reaction suggests he had secretly hoped for a reconciliation.

At the Russian Nationals, Yakov is shown wearing a ring on his right ring finger, while Lilia wears none.

This visual detail strongly implies Yakov still has lingering feelings for her.

Their dynamic mixes professional respect, personal history, and one-sided affection on Yakov’s part.

Yakov has a stern face and a somewhat intimidating expression, which perfectly matches his explosive temper.

He is often depicted with a thinning or balding top of the head, reinforcing his image as an aging but formidable veteran coach.

His appearance and mannerisms are strongly reminiscent of real-life Russian coach Alexei Mishin.

Fans have noticed this resemblance, especially in his hairline, facial expressions, and the way he interacts with his skaters.

Because Yakov is constantly surrounded by strong, eccentric personalities like Victor, Yuuri Plisetsky, Georgi, and Mila, he is frequently shown being stressed and overwhelmed.

Fans often jokingly worry about his physical health and emotional state, given how often his skaters ignore his instructions and cause confusion.

He is humorously described as someone who might soon need “care” or “nursing” because of the chaos his students bring into his life.

This fan perception blends affection and comedy, portraying Yakov as both a long-suffering guardian and the grumpy “dad” of the skating club.

Yakov Feltsman is widely believed to be modeled on Alexei Mishin, a former Russian figure skater and famed coach.

Mishin is known for coaching Evgeni Plushenko, one of Victor Nikiforov’s apparent real-world inspirations.

Like Mishin, Yakov is portrayed as a strict, technically oriented coach who has produced numerous top Russian singles skaters.

Their similar hairstyles, stern faces, and long coaching careers make the connection especially clear.