Career
Cherkasova and Shakhrai trained in Moscow with Stanislav Zhuk. Cherkasova and Shakhrai were 12 and 18 respectively when they were paired together. Initially, there was a 35 cm height difference between the pair, with Cherkasova only 138 cm tall.
Their height difference facilitated innovation in twist and lift elements.
They became the first pair to perform the split quadruple twist in 1978. Later, the judging standards were changed to value physical harmony between the partners, which handicapped the pair.
By 1980 Cherkasova had grown 20 cm. Cherkasova was only 15 years old when she competed at the Olympics while Shakhrai was 21.
Shakhrai"s problems lifting his now 45 kg partner eventually resulted in them splitting up.
By 1981, Cherkasova had grown so tall that Shakhrai could no longer effectively lift her. This caused them to miss the medal podium at the World Championship in Hartford, Connecticut, finishing in fourth place. Cherkasova & Shakhrai continued to train for the 1982 season, but eventually broke up.
Shakhrai is currently an ice skating coach in Sydney, Australia.