In 2009, Tuktamysheva won the silver medal at the Russian Championships, after placing fourth in the short program and first in the free skating. She placed second with a margin of 0.67 points behind champion Adelina Sotnikova, who is half a year older than Tuktamysheva. Mishin said his student was Russia's "main hope for the gold medal at the Sochi Olympics". Despite her medal, she was not sent to any ISU Championships, including Junior Worlds, because she was not old enough according to ISU rules.