Tatyana Ovechkina (Moscú, 1950) dirige actualmente el programa de baloncesto femenino en Rusia. Se retiró después de una carrera esplendorosa. Dejo las canchas tras ganar dos oros olímpicos, seis Europeos y un Mundial. Era una época de imposibles porque la base nunca perdió un partido oficial con la URSS. Es una leyenda del básket femenino, con un currículum extraordinario, de otra época. Ahora, a la deslumbrante exjugadora del Dynamo de Moscú simplemente la conocen como la madre de Aleksandr Ovechkin (Moscú, 1985).
El capitán de los Capitals de la NHL, de 39 años, ha batido el récord de goles del canadiense Wayne Gretzky, el Michael Jordan del hockey hielo. Un número frío en torno a una pila inhumana de goles, 894, marcaba una de las últimas cotas del deporte profesional americano. Ovi lo ha dejado atrás.
Lo igualó el viernes ante los ojos del mito, que estaba en el Capital One de Washington D.C., y acaba de superarlo en el Islanders-Capitals, dejando la cota en 895 tantos. Un Everest del deporte.
Tatyana Ovechkina, junto a su hijo Aleksandr
Las plusmarcas de Gretzky son tan fascinantes que al canadiense simplemente se le recuerda como El Grande. Sobra la grandilocuencia. Con cuatro títulos de la Stanley Cup y 56 récords vigentes en la NHL, es un referente deportivo en Estados Unidos, el gran icono del hockey hielo profesional, el responsable de numerosas gestas deportivas (el personaje más importante de la historia de Canadá, según una encuesta entre los canadienses) y una figura tan deslumbrante que se erigió en el protagonista de la expansión del campeonato por el Oeste de Estados Unidos cuando los responsables de la competición le pidieron que fichara por los Kings de Los Ángeles para llevar la pasión por el hockey hielo a California, bajo el sol y las palmeras. También lo logró.
Allí, junto al Crypto.com Arena, tiene su estatua. En Edmonton tiene otra que hace unas semanas fue profanada con excrementos por su amistad con Donald Trump, pero esa es otra historia.
Le dije a Ovi, si puedes mete tres goles y me superas ya que he venido a ver tu récord
Wayne Gretzky, sentado, en un partido con los Oilers.
Una carrera de videojuego
Cuando dejó de jugar en 1999 para dar por finalizada una carrera de videojuegos, Gretzky había firmado tres temporadas de 200 puntos (único en la historia en esa suma de goles y asistencias), había sido nueve veces MVP (trofeo Hart) y 10 veces máximo anotador (trofeo Art Rose). Llegó a meter 50 goles en una racha de 39 partidos, la plusmarca que más le enorgullece. Ningún deportista profesional americano ha acumulado tanto premio individual.
Gretzky y Ovechkin, el viernes, cuando el ruso igualó el récord del canadiense.
894 goles en temporada regular tenían sus derechos de autor desde hace 31 años. El registro firmado por una leyenda vivía con el aura de una marca teóricamente inalcanzable “porque no habrá otro Gretzky”, decían.
Ovechkin no había nacido entonces y por supuesto, el mundo del deporte asumió sin dudar que nadie podría alcanzar semejante cima, igual que muchos pensaron que nadie superaría la producción de Abdul-Jabbar en la NBA hasta que llegó LeBron James.
Aquella plusmarca era el triunfo de la excelencia, el del hockey hielo del talento orgánico, porque Gretzky, de ascendencia polaca, no medía 1,91 ni pesaba 100 kilos como el extremo izquierdo ruso de los Capitals. “Un buen jugador sabe dónde está el disco. Un gran jugador sabe dónde va a estar y se anticipa”, suele decir para justificar su extraordinaria visión de juego.
Ovechkin, tras marcar el gol 894.
Más dotado físicamente, más fuerte y con un rendimiento más prolongado en el tiempo, Ovechkin, sin embargo, es el estandarte del hockey muscular y temperamental del siglo XXI.
Ovi, que hace una donación a una fundación para la investigación de cáncer infantil por cada gol que ha marcado esta temporada, es también un orgullo para los rusos. Empezaron a celebrar su récord en Moscú a principios de abril, días antes de consumarse. “Ovechkin es siempre primero”. También hubo guiños al héroe ruso en San Petersburgo, junto a la estatua de los héroes del asedio de Leningrado en la II Guerra Mundial.
Un imagen de Ovechkin en un rascacielos de San Petersburgo.
Talento industrial
Después de marcar el gol a los Islanders y alcanzar los 895 en su 20ª temporada con los profesionales tras formarse en su amado Dynamo, Ovechkin, ‘The Big 8’ (su mamá jugaba al básket con ese número), demostró que también es colosal, pero a su manera, con su talento industrial.
El ganador de la Stanley Cup de 2018 con los Capitals (proeza para una franquicia sin gran tradición en el hockey hielo y para la ciudad, que no vivía un título desde 1991, los Redskins de la NFL), tiene una combinación diabólica de habilidad, potencia e intensidad. Con una actitud indestructible (“si me dicen que juegue de portero, lo hago”), su grandeza radica en la constancia.
En esta temporada, cuando los aficionados esperaban su ascenso al trono anotador de Gretzky como el que aspira a beber del Santo Grial, se hizo una fisura en el peroné de su pierna izquierda. Fue el 18 de noviembre. “Da igual, si no es este año, será al siguiente”. Con 35 años había firmado un contrato de cinco temporadas.
Ovechkin, antes de un viaje con los Capitals, con su bolsa de Cheetos
Pese a su edad, se recuperó en 40 días. Se perdió sólo 16 partidos. Nadie dudaba de que estaría en disposición de aspirar al récord tras meter 19 goles en 33 noches para confirmar una recuperación milagrosa. Alex había mostrado un estado de forma como en sus mejores tiempos.
Pocos deportes más exigentes que el hockey hielo, una disciplina extrema, explosiva y frenética, donde los jugadores están en la pista en turnos de 70 segundos de juego real. No se puede mucho más al máximo nivel. La NHL te obliga a una carrera de 100 metros cada dos por tres.
Presentación de Ovechkin en un partido de los Capitals.
Lo que me ha hecho llegar hasta aquí es el trabajo duro. La energía de batir el récord de una leyenda me impulsó
Pero Ovechkin, cuyo ritual en los viajes es comerse en el avión una bolsa de Cheetos picantes, no lo acusa. Vive en un dulce gulag. Trabaja con buena cara hasta el límite de sus fuerzas. “Si puedo entrenar siete horas, mejor que seis y ocho mejor que siete”.
Y tanto trabajo le dio mucha puntería. Tercer máximo anotador en esta campaña (41), es el único jugador en la historia con 14 temporadas con 40 tantos o más y el segundo en alcanzar esa cifra con 39 años (el récord es de Gordie Howe en 1969, 44 goles).
El último guiño del destino ha sido que los 895 goles los ha hecho en 1.487 partidos, justo los mismos que empleó Gretzky para los 894. Increíble pero cierto. “Sin Gretzky, yo no estaría aquí. El trabajo y la energía que necesitaba me lo dio la posibilidad de batir el récord de una leyenda. Me impulsó”.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Senators stay alive as Jake Sanderson strikes in OT: Game 4 takeaways
OTTAWA — The Battle of Ontario is heading back to Toronto.In front of another rollicking crowd that featured more blue and white than Game 3, goals from Tim Stützle, Shane Pinto, David Perron and an overtime winner from Jake Sanderson helped the Ottawa Senators keep their season alive with a desperate and spirited 4-3 OT win to force Game 5.AdvertisementWith both a short-handed and power play goal, the Senators did well to win the special teams battle that the Leafs had previously won all series.Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz looked average for the first time all series, allowing four goals on just 22 shots.While the Leafs had flashes of brilliance, including Matthew Knies’ incredible second-period breakaway goal, the Senators stayed consistent in their play in a way the Leafs did not. The Senators now not only have a larger sliver of […]
Buccaneers undrafted free agent could make history as the heaviest NFL player ever
Getty Images If there was an award for most interesting undrafted free agent signings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would certainly be in the running to win. Not only did Todd Bowles sign Deion Sanders' other son in Colorado safety Shilo Sanders, but Tampa Bay is also adding someone who has a chance to be the heaviest player in NFL history. Florida defensive tackle Desmond Watson, who stands at 6-foot-5, 464 pounds, is signing with the Buccaneers on a deal that includes $50,000 guaranteed per NFL Media. USA Today reports that Watson has already dropped weight, and lost about 26 pounds since Florida's pro day on March 27. Even so, Watson would be the heaviest player to suit up for an NFL team. In four seasons with the Gators, Watson recorded 63 combined tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks to go […]
Clay Webb, football player involved in federal bullying lawsuit, signs with Broncos
Clay Webb, who is part of an unresolved lawsuit around bullying, signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. Jacksonville State, where Webb played for the last three seasons, announced the news Saturday night. Clay Webb ➡️ @Broncos pic.twitter.com/fGwVskUUAx — Jax State Football (@JaxStateFB) April 27, 2025In 2020, Webb was sued in a federal lawsuit as one of three defendants accused in a bullying incident in 2018 at Oxford (Ala.) High School. Another then-student at the school accused Webb of making him drink a cup with semen in it. The federal lawsuit is ongoing.Earlier this year, Webb told The Athletic that his lawyers have told him not to comment on the suit. The University of Georgia, where Webb was enrolled at the time the suit was filed, released a statement in 2020 that read: “While we cannot comment […]
Ceará e São Paulo empatam na Arena Castelão pelo Brasileirão
O time cearense saiu na frente logo no início da partida. Aos três minutos do primeiro tempo, Pedro Henrique recebeu lançamento em profundidade de Matheus Bahia e finalizou por cobertura para vencer o goleiro Rafael, colocando o Ceará em vantagem. O São Paulo reagiu ainda na etapa inicial. Aos 43 minutos, o jovem Ryan Francisco aproveitou cruzamento e, de cabeça, igualou o marcador, garantindo o ponto fora de casa e mantendo a invencibilidade do Tricolor na competição. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Com o resultado, ambas as equipes chegaram aos oito pontos na tabela. O Ceará ocupa a sexta colocação, enquanto o São Paulo aparece logo atrás, em sétimo lugar. Agora, as atenções se voltam para a Copa do Brasil. O Ceará enfrenta o Palmeiras na próxima quarta-feira (30), às 19h30, novamente no Castelão. Já o São Paulo recebe o Náutico no MorumBIS, […]
49ers’ Malik Mustapha to miss start of season with knee injury: Source
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers fifth-round draft pick Marques Sigle might have a better-than-expected shot at a prominent role this season after it was revealed that one of last year’s top safeties is recovering from a serious knee injury.ESPN reported Saturday that Malik Mustapha, who started 12 games as a rookie in 2024, damaged the graft that was used to repair an ACL tear he sustained while at Wake Forest in 2022. Mustapha is believed to have suffered the injury in the 49ers’ season finale against the Arizona Cardinals on Jan. 5. He left that contest in the second quarter and didn’t return.AdvertisementWhile the injury isn’t considered as severe as a complete rupture, which can affect the meniscus in the knee, he’s still expected to be out until roughly the midpoint of the season, a league source confirmed. […]
Chargers 2025 NFL Draft takeaways: Major focus on adding playmaking around Justin Herbert
As the Los Angeles Chargers wrapped up their 2025 draft with six Day 3 picks, a theme came into very clear focus: This draft, more than anything else, was about putting more playmaking around Justin Herbert.The Chargers drafted a running back in the first round in Omarion Hampton who has the potential to alter the fabric of their offensive identity. They drafted a ball-winning outside receiver in the second round in Tre Harris. They double-dipped at receiver in the fifth round by adding speedy deep threat KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Seven picks later, the Chargers traded up for athletic pass-catching tight end Oronde Gadsden II. Weapon, weapon, weapon and another weapon. All before the end of the fifth round. General manager Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh built around their quarterback.AdvertisementHerbert had one reliable option in the passing game last season in […]
Related
Senators stay alive as Jake Sanderson strikes in OT: Game 4 takeaways
OTTAWA — The Battle of Ontario is heading back to Toronto.In front of another rollicking crowd that featured more blue and white than Game 3, goals from Tim Stützle, Shane Pinto, David Perron and an overtime winner from Jake Sanderson helped the Ottawa Senators keep their season alive with a desperate and spirited 4-3 OT win to force Game 5.AdvertisementWith both a short-handed and power play goal, the Senators did well to win the special teams battle that the Leafs had previously won all series.Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz looked average for the first time all series, allowing four goals on just 22 shots.While the Leafs had flashes of brilliance, including Matthew Knies’ incredible second-period breakaway goal, the Senators stayed consistent in their play in a way the Leafs did not. The Senators now not only have a larger sliver of […]
Buccaneers undrafted free agent could make history as the heaviest NFL player ever
Getty Images If there was an award for most interesting undrafted free agent signings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would certainly be in the running to win. Not only did Todd Bowles sign Deion Sanders' other son in Colorado safety Shilo Sanders, but Tampa Bay is also adding someone who has a chance to be the heaviest player in NFL history. Florida defensive tackle Desmond Watson, who stands at 6-foot-5, 464 pounds, is signing with the Buccaneers on a deal that includes $50,000 guaranteed per NFL Media. USA Today reports that Watson has already dropped weight, and lost about 26 pounds since Florida's pro day on March 27. Even so, Watson would be the heaviest player to suit up for an NFL team. In four seasons with the Gators, Watson recorded 63 combined tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks to go […]
Clay Webb, football player involved in federal bullying lawsuit, signs with Broncos
Clay Webb, who is part of an unresolved lawsuit around bullying, signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. Jacksonville State, where Webb played for the last three seasons, announced the news Saturday night. Clay Webb ➡️ @Broncos pic.twitter.com/fGwVskUUAx — Jax State Football (@JaxStateFB) April 27, 2025In 2020, Webb was sued in a federal lawsuit as one of three defendants accused in a bullying incident in 2018 at Oxford (Ala.) High School. Another then-student at the school accused Webb of making him drink a cup with semen in it. The federal lawsuit is ongoing.Earlier this year, Webb told The Athletic that his lawyers have told him not to comment on the suit. The University of Georgia, where Webb was enrolled at the time the suit was filed, released a statement in 2020 that read: “While we cannot comment […]
Ceará e São Paulo empatam na Arena Castelão pelo Brasileirão
O time cearense saiu na frente logo no início da partida. Aos três minutos do primeiro tempo, Pedro Henrique recebeu lançamento em profundidade de Matheus Bahia e finalizou por cobertura para vencer o goleiro Rafael, colocando o Ceará em vantagem. O São Paulo reagiu ainda na etapa inicial. Aos 43 minutos, o jovem Ryan Francisco aproveitou cruzamento e, de cabeça, igualou o marcador, garantindo o ponto fora de casa e mantendo a invencibilidade do Tricolor na competição. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Com o resultado, ambas as equipes chegaram aos oito pontos na tabela. O Ceará ocupa a sexta colocação, enquanto o São Paulo aparece logo atrás, em sétimo lugar. Agora, as atenções se voltam para a Copa do Brasil. O Ceará enfrenta o Palmeiras na próxima quarta-feira (30), às 19h30, novamente no Castelão. Já o São Paulo recebe o Náutico no MorumBIS, […]
49ers’ Malik Mustapha to miss start of season with knee injury: Source
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers fifth-round draft pick Marques Sigle might have a better-than-expected shot at a prominent role this season after it was revealed that one of last year’s top safeties is recovering from a serious knee injury.ESPN reported Saturday that Malik Mustapha, who started 12 games as a rookie in 2024, damaged the graft that was used to repair an ACL tear he sustained while at Wake Forest in 2022. Mustapha is believed to have suffered the injury in the 49ers’ season finale against the Arizona Cardinals on Jan. 5. He left that contest in the second quarter and didn’t return.AdvertisementWhile the injury isn’t considered as severe as a complete rupture, which can affect the meniscus in the knee, he’s still expected to be out until roughly the midpoint of the season, a league source confirmed. […]
Chargers 2025 NFL Draft takeaways: Major focus on adding playmaking around Justin Herbert
As the Los Angeles Chargers wrapped up their 2025 draft with six Day 3 picks, a theme came into very clear focus: This draft, more than anything else, was about putting more playmaking around Justin Herbert.The Chargers drafted a running back in the first round in Omarion Hampton who has the potential to alter the fabric of their offensive identity. They drafted a ball-winning outside receiver in the second round in Tre Harris. They double-dipped at receiver in the fifth round by adding speedy deep threat KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Seven picks later, the Chargers traded up for athletic pass-catching tight end Oronde Gadsden II. Weapon, weapon, weapon and another weapon. All before the end of the fifth round. General manager Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh built around their quarterback.AdvertisementHerbert had one reliable option in the passing game last season in […]
Be the first to leave a comment