“In the world of sports, just like in politics, there is a clear trend of distancing from us. As long as this continues, the ISU’s position will remain pro-Western.” Alexander Zhulin on ISU’s upcoming discussion on allowing Russian athletes to compete
Alexander Zhulin expressed skepticism about the ISU’s upcoming discussion on allowing Russian athletes to compete, [...]
“Even if it’s just a coincidence, it means something to me. I want to perform my own version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as I imagine it.” Mone Chiba inspired by Yuzuru Hanyu’s performance to this music at Sochi Olympics
Mone Chiba, who secured the third spot on Japan’s women’s figure skating team for the 2026 Milano-Cortina [...]
Yuma Kagiyama: “I gained a lot from Nationals, but in the free skate, I wasn’t able to give everything I had. In those high-pressure moments, I realized I’m still not as strong as I want to be.”
Yuma Kagiyama, who secured his second consecutive Olympic spot, expresses excitement and determination as he prepares [...]
Irina Slutskaya: “At the Turin Olympics, the placement was pure politics. Or Salt Lake City – there, an American had to win, so they could build a whole business around her, organize half-year tours.”
Russian figure skater Irina Slutskaya reflects on the political challenges and biases she faced in figure skating [...]
“It feels like a dream to be able to stand on the same stage. Just participating is not my goal. I want to achieve good results and work hard to reach a position like Hanyu’s.” Shun Sato is set to make his Olympic debut inspired by Yuzuru Hanyu
Shun Sato, a 21-year-old figure skater, is set to make his Olympic debut, inspired by his hometown senior, Yuzuru [...]
Kaori Sakamoto: “I aim for Olympic silver or better. I want to win a medal right there on the spot. I don’t want to wait two and a half years like last time.”
Kaori Sakamoto, after winning her fifth consecutive national title, renewed her determination for the Milan-Cortina [...]
Rinka Watanabe: “The view from the center of the rink, and the sound of the cheers and applause echoing around me, are treasures to me. Please give me a little more time to think about what comes next.”
Rinka Watanabe reflected on her seventh-place finish at the All-Japan Championships, expressing gratitude to fans and [...]
Wakaba Higuchi: “I won’t be able to stand on the grand stage of the Olympics, but I practiced and competed for myself, always with the mindset that if I did everything I could and it still wasn’t enough, I would accept that reality. I feel very at peace.”
Japanese figure skater Wakaba Higuchi took to Instagram to express her heartfelt gratitude to supporters. original [...]
“You have to maintain your mindset and nerves, because that could get in the way. When I practice jumps, I imagine the Olympic ice in Milan.” Petr Gumennik shares his mindset as he prepares for the Olympics
Petr Gumennik won gold at the 2026 Russian Nationals, earning a total of 304.95 points from the judges for both [...]
Ami Nakai: “One dream has come true, so next I want not just to compete at the Olympics, but to achieve real results. I want to train so I can win a medal.”
Seventeen-year-old Ami Nakai secured her first Olympic spot with a fourth-place finish at the Japanese [...]
“Free skate at the GP Final was the most humiliating moment of the season. A deep crack formed in my heart,” Mone Chiba resolved to “be a new, stronger me” and trained harder than ever before Nationals
Mone Chiba rebounded from past disappointment to finish third at the Japanese Nationals. original source: [...]
Dmitrii Kozlovskii: “We believe there is no objective reason why we shouldn’t be allowed to compete internationally. We are just like everyone else, and we put in no less effort than our colleagues around the world.”
Figure skater Dmitrii Kozlovskii, who competes in pairs with Aleksandra Boikova, spoke out about being banned from [...]
Rinka Watanabe: “I was thinking about retiring at the end of this season. But maybe this means I should keep going. I want to take time to sort out my feelings and decide what to do next.”
Rinka Watanabe delivered a strong free skate at the Japanese Nationals, landing two triple axels. original source: [...]
Adeliia Petrosian: “I just hope I won’t let myself, my coaches, or my fans down. I’ll do everything I can and try to show my maximum at the Olympics.”
Adeliia Petrosian stated that at the Olympic Games, she hopes not to let herself, her coaches, or her fans [...]
“Crying, laughing, falling, and getting back up again.” Kaori Sakamoto’s heartfelt letter, displayed in a public ad by her sponsor Sysmex
Kaori Sakamoto’s heartfelt letter, displayed in a public ad by her sponsor Sysmex, moved many fans ahead of the [...]
Petr Gumennik: “Malinin’s skate is on the edge of being demotivating. But you have to try to take something positive from everything. If he can do that, then theoretically anything is possible.”
Russian figure skater Petr Gumennik shared details about his preparation for the 2026 Russian Nationals. original [...]
“This season, I was aiming for the Olympics, but I wasn’t able to achieve results that would lead into next season.” Tatsuya Tsuboi announced his retirement from competitive figure skating
Tatsuya Tsuboi announced his retirement from competitive figure skating. original source: Nikkansports 20th. [...]
“I managed to include triple axel in the program just a week ago. It cost me a lot of nerves. I’m gradually getting back into shape, but this isn’t my peak yet. I hope to peak at the Olympics.” Adeliia Petrosian leads after the SP at the Russian Nationals
in February Adeliia Petrosian shared her experience and emotions after successfully landing a triple axel in her [...]
Alina Zagitova: “After the Olympics, the hate began – the kind of hate that probably no athlete wants to hear: ‘the Olympic gold was undeserved.’”
2018 Olympic champion Alina Zagitova reflects on the negativity and media pressure she faced after her Olympic [...]
“As the culmination of my 18-year competitive career, I will do my best at Nationals. I want to finish with a performance I’m satisfied with and a smile.” Mai Mihara announced her retirement at the end of this season
Mai Mihara announced her retirement from competitive figure skating at the end of this season original source: [...]
“If you really have the mindset of an athlete, you should be able to fight for every single point. He still tends to play it safe in competition, and that’s not enough.” Masakazu Kagiyama on Yuma’s performance at the GP Final
Yuma Kagiyama and his coach Masakazu Kagiyama reflect on second-place finish at the Grand Prix Final. original [...]
Evgeni Plushenko: “In my eight-year coaching career, I’ve never worked with any athlete as much as I did with Lena Kostyleva. But for her mother, it was never enough, never enough…”
Evgeni Plushenko spoke about his feelings regarding his collaboration with the parents of skater Elena [...]
Kimmy Repond: “I want to keep skating as long as possible, but definitely until 2027. Later, I’d like to study medicine.”
Kimmy Repond aims to continue skating until 2027 before studying medicine. original source: sirocco.ch [...]
Carolina Kostner: “I always challenged myself to become not just an athlete, but also an artist. I tell Yuma, ‘Choreography isn’t just about movement – cherish the emotions that arise from those movements.’”
Carolina Kostner, coach to Yuma Kagiyama, reflects on his growth and their collaboration as they prepare for the [...]