In a stunning display of talent and determination at the ISU Figure Skating European Championships 2026, the remarkable Georgian duo of Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava triumphed, claiming their first European pairs title. This victory in Sheffield serves as a powerful statement of intent as they set their sights on the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Metelkina and Berulava showcased exceptional skill and artistry, dominating the competition from the outset. After finishing first in a thrilling short program on Wednesday, they again topped the leaderboard during Thursday’s free skate. Their total score of 215.76 points put them nearly 12 points ahead of their closest rivals, the defending champions from Germany, Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin, who concluded the competition with 203.87 points.
The bronze medal was a historic achievement for Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko of Hungary, as they secured the nation’s first European pairs medal in a remarkable 69 years. Their captivating performance that earned them 202.56 points as they narrowly missed out on a podium finish the previous year by less than half a point.
As the competition unfolded, it was clear that the talent pool in pairs figure skating continues to rise. Notable performances included that of Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel from Germany, who finished in fourth place, and for Switzerland, Oxana Vouillamoz and Tom Bouvart, rounding out the top five.
This year’s Championships not only highlighted exceptional athletic performances but also raised anticipation for the upcoming Olympic Games. Fans eagerly look forward to seeing if Metelkina and Berulava can carry this momentum as they head into Milano Cortina.
For fans of professional figure skating, the 2026 Championships delivered an electrifying glimpse of what’s to come on the world stage.
