Ilya Averbukh's Son Martin Steps Into Spotlight

Until recently, Martin Averbukh was known only as the son of famous figure skaters. He did not follow in his parents« footsteps: he gave up the skates and tried to stay in the shadows. That made it all the more surprising for many of Averbukh»s fans to see his grown-up eldest son on a deserted island in the summer of 2026. The young man has grown into an athlete with a model«s looks and chiseled cheekbones — just look at him.

«I»m uncomfortable with the extra attention«

Ilya Averbukh and Irina Lobacheva were one of the best-known pairs in figure skating for many years. They performed together, won competitions and raised a son. But the family story ended in divorce.

In 2007, when Martin was just three years old, his parents separated. The press at the time discussed the reasons for the divorce and possible infidelities. Martin himself said years later that he took his parents« separation calmly.

— No one explained anything, and I didn«t ask. I didn»t care. It«s their life and their choice. I didn»t suffer because of the divorce — Mom and Dad get along great, Dad would come over calmly and spend time with me, — Martin said.

In the first years after the divorce, Martin lived with his mother. But when he turned 13, the situation in the family changed dramatically. There were rumors that Irina Lobacheva began having serious problems with alcohol. Later, Martin admitted that the period was very hard on the family, and it still echoes in his life.

— I don«t really use social media, because people write nasty things. I»m uncomfortable with the extra attention. It«s a very hard story, — Averbukh»s eldest son shared.

At some point, Ilya Averbukh decided that his son would be better off living with him. He did not publicly air the family problems, but simply took responsibility for the child.

— A bad situation arose in Ira«s life that was affecting Martin, and I just took him. I really hope that everything will be fine with Ira and that she will get through these difficult stages, — the skater said hopefully.

«I get out on the ice like a nag»

As a child, his parents were sure the boy would follow in their footsteps. When Martin was six years old, he was taken onto the ice for the first time, but Martin did not like it at all.

— I get out on the ice like a nag, I fall and I realize it«s not for me. I don»t like it. I didn«t want to follow my parents» path. We decided that I would choose my own path, — Martin shared on the show «Vyzhyvality» («Survivors»).

Ilya Averbukh believes that physically his son has all the makings to become an excellent athlete. But his character is not suited to it at all. He does not like the attention that figure skaters cannot do without.

After his failure on the ice, Martin began trying himself in other sports. As a teenager, Martin became interested in skateboarding. So seriously that at 17 he was already working as a coach at a skate park. He also tried playing soccer. But neither activity ever sparked a fire in his heart, and over time he dropped them both.

In recent years, Averbukh has been seriously into esports. Martin plays the soccer simulator FIFA, takes part in major tournaments and has already achieved considerable success. He is currently studying for a master«s degree in game design and heads his university»s esports soccer team.

Ilya Averbukh tries not to interfere in his son«s choice, but admits that he does not understand esports himself.

— As a person of a different generation, I find esports very hard to grasp. For me, sport is faster, higher, stronger, and he (Martin. — Ed.) doesn«t understand that at all, — Averbukh complained.

«Liza and I have a real idyll»

In 2020, Ilya Averbukh married actress Elizaveta Arzamasova. Far from everyone accepted the couple at first because of the large age gap. But Martin is not among them. He quickly found common ground with his father«s beloved. According to him, the main secret is that Arzamasova did not try to replace his mother, but became a friend.

— Liza and I get along great, like friends. We have a real idyll. We treat each other with respect, — Martin admitted.

Since he was 18, Martin has lived separately from his father. According to him, he loves to cook and is almost entirely self-supporting; the elder Averbukh helps only with the apartment.

Martin has been in a serious relationship for five years with a girl named Sofia, whom he met at university. Like his father, she does not always understand her boyfriend«s passion for esports, but she tries to put up with it.

— I often spend time training. And Sonya doesn«t like how I spend my time, but she accepts it and understands that it»s important to me. Overall, we walk in step, as they say, — Martin said.

In the summer of 2026, Martin went to Thailand to take part in the show «Vyzhyvality. Nasledniki 2» («Survivors. Heirs 2») and prove to his father that he can cope with difficulties and see things through to the end.

— Dad said: «It will be hard. You»ve never been to camp, and you have no extreme survival experience.« But it»s important to me to make my own decisions and be responsible for them, — Martin explained his participation.