Sergei
Ignatov by Roger V. Dollarhide
Have
you ever seen anyone juggle 11 rings? No? I didn't think
you had. There are probably only 2 jugglers in the world who do
it and they're both Russians. I saw one of the two - Sergei
Ignatov with the Moscow Circus do it on Sunday, Feb 5, 1973 , and I
want to tell you it was unreal!
I
visited with Sergei during the circus's tour in New Haven, Conn. To my
delight, he speaks understandable conversational Eng1ish and we were
able to discuss many things. As a result of these discussions, I would
like to relate to you the facts about this amazing young man. who
after only six years of practice (yes, I said six years) has become
one of the greatest jugglers in history.
Sergei
is 22 years old. He looks about 18 when performing tho he uses no
makeup - it is just his very youthful style. He started juggling when
he was 16. He attended the Moscow Circus School for 4 years. His home
is Moscow with his mother and younger brother. His brother juggles in
a 3 man club passing act and also attended or is attending the school.
Sergei
learned his juggling from Alexander and Violetta Kiss, Staff of the
Moscow Circus. Violetta is the head juggling teacher in the school.
Alexander, who appeared in the U.S. with the circus in 1963, is
Sergei's idol. Sergei considers Kiss to be the greatest living
juggler. His technique is very good," says Sergei.
Sergei
makes his own typical European style clubs and his own plastic rings.
The rings are approx. 12" outside dia., 1 1/4" wide and 1/10th
in thick. The clubs weigh about 9 1/2 oz. The balls he
juggles are rubber and about croquet ball size. All his tricks are
straight toss juggling using balls, clubs, and rings.
In
addition to the tricks in his act, Sergei claims to be able to do the
following when he is home and practices regularly;
1.
9 croquet ball size balls. An assistant stands behind him
holding 2 balls. Sergei grabs them after getting 7 going.
2.
9 rings for 135 throws (15 times around).
3.
11 rings for 22 throws and catch round hed. He uses the
belt to go into 11 from 9 ring juggle.
Sergei
said they were not allowed to practice on tour - only warm up for
performances. Thus he was out of practice for 11
rings. But he got them up about a dozen times so I could take
pictures of it. He only caught them all 3 times. He hopes to do 11 1n
the act in 2 years.
Albert
Piotroski (see photos in Jan 1970 Newsletter) is the only other
juggler Sergei knows that does 11 rings. Piotroski also does 10
rings with a head balance. Sergei does not do 8 or 10.
Some
Russian jugglers do 6 clubs, but none do more than 5 in performances.
Two Russian acts pass 10 clubs between 2 people and 12 clubs between 3
people. One of the acts is the Gratshovis.
Sergei
says that for him the 5 club backcrosses is easier than 9 rjngs. I
asked him that question for the benefit of those of
you who were wondering which trick to learn first. He
says,
"There are many very good jugglers in Russia."
A
SPECIAL I.J.A. THANK YOU!
THANK
YOU Windfield Buzby for your contribution to the I.J.A.
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