Before being the Gym Leader of Glaseado Gym, Grusha used to be a professional snowboarder,[1] and the second best in the world — at one point having won six times in a row at Paldean major competitions. He was forced to retire from the sport after sustaining an injury from an accident. He usually keeps his cool, but will show his hidden emotions in the heat of battle.[1] Because being a Gym Leader is the only thing he has left, he is overly worried about maintaining his position, creating some discomfort around Geeta.
In addition to the Gym Badge, Grusha gives out TM124 (Ice Spinner) after defeating him.
"You’re always just one step away from devastation... The cold will leave you shaking."
Upon being defeated
"You melted straight through my ice..."
After being defeated
"Just like how I used to be..."
"Oh, never mind. I should give you your Gym Badge."
"Huh? You want a photo together to commemorate your win...?"
"C-come on, that’s...that’s so uncool. I don’t usually do that sort of thing, but... OK, fine. Special occasion."
"With <number of Badges> Gym Badge/Badges, you should be able to catch Pokémon of up to Lv. <level> more easily. They’ll actually listen to you too, which is nice." (If the player has less than eight Badges)
"With 8 Gym Badges, you should be able to catch Pokémon of any level. They’ll also listen to every word you say, whether it’s cool or not." (If the player has eight Badges)
"Oh, and before I forget—you should take this, too."
"Should be a lot more useful than some silly photo of you and me..."
"Feel free to stop by again... If you don’t mind the cold, that is."
"The weather's in your favor today. I guess the snowy mountains decided to be kind."/"Well, tough luck for you. The snowy mountains are on my side today."
"These League-mandated inspections happen a few times a year."
"If we don't show we're up for the job, we'll lose our positions as Gym Leaders."
"Geeta always says it's just a formality, but..."
"I've already had to give up on being a pro snowboarder. If she takes away the talents I still have to show, then what'll be left?"
"Sorry, didn't mean to bring the temperature down. It's simple enough, really."
"All I need to do is make sure the power of my Pokémon chills you to the bone!"
After sending our first Pokémon
"Conditions are... all right, I guess. Good enough to defeat you, anyway."
Before sending out final Pokémon
"I won't let things heat up any further. Time to bring the deep freeze."
Upon Terastallizing his Altaria
"Let it freeze. Let it snow. Let it pile up on top of us."
Upon using Altaria's Ice Beam
"I think you're getting a little hotheaded. Let me cool you down with this move!"
Upon being defeated
"Your burning passion... I kinda like it, to be honest."
After being defeated
"Man, Geeta must really have it out for me. Sending someone there's no way I could beat..."
"Still, no regrets on my part. I gave it everything I had."
"I hit you full force, and I lost anyway. It made me feel...frustrated."
"It makes me want to become stronger as a Gym Leader. Put more of myself into it."
"I'd thought my passion had frozen over, but... you've rekindled it for me."
"Thanks, <player>."
"I won't lose next time. You'll see."
"Try not to catch a cold on your way down the mountain, eh?"
Grusha was introduced as a Supporter card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game during the English Scarlet & Violet Series (the Japanese Scarlet & Violet Era). It was first released in the Japanese Snow Hazard expansion and the English Paldea Evolved expansion, with artwork by GIDORA. A Full Art version with artwork by the same artist, and a Special Illustration Rare version of the card with artwork by DOM were released in the same sets. It allows players to draw cards until they have 5 cards in their hand, unless they have no Energy attached to any of their Pokémon; in which case the player draws cards until they have 7 cards in their hand.
Trivia
Grusha's Japanese Gym Leader title is 絶対零度トリック.
Grusha is the first Gym Leader since Blaine in GenerationsII and IV whose Gym is not located in a town or city.
His Altaria's Ice Tera Type may allude to icy clouds in the skies, considering Glaseado Mountain's high altitude.
