The ISU Figure Skating World Championships kicked off in Prague this week, following the conclusion of the Winter Olympics, providing athletes another opportunity for competition before the season ends. The championships, running from Wednesday to Saturday, feature four main disciplines: women’s, men’s, pairs, and ice dance, mirroring the structure of the Olympics.
### Noteworthy Withdrawals and Competitor Returnees
After the Olympics, some prominent athletes entered the championships while others, like American gold medalist Alysa Liu and reigning ice dance champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates, opted out. This trend is expected as many Olympians step back after medaling in high-stakes competitions. However, Amber Glenn and Ilia Malinin are among those aiming for podium finishes after having missed out on Olympic medals earlier this season.
The competition commenced with the women’s short program, where Glenn performed a notable routine to “Like a Prayer.” This performance helped her secure a solid position in third place heading into the women’s free skate, which will determine the medalists.
“It’s great being able to go into the free skate not feeling like I’m clawing my way up through the ranks for once,” Glenn stated, citing her desire to capitalize on the momentum built post-Olympics.
### Men’s and Pairs Competition Highlights
In the men’s short program, Ilia Malinin, who faced setbacks at the Olympics, returned with an impressive performance that earned him the top spot. He laid claim to a personal best score, finishing over nine points ahead of his nearest competitor. Malinin conveyed his focus on enjoying the sport and proving to himself that his Olympic performance was an anomaly.
Men’s event competitors include Andrew Torgashev and Jacob Sanchez, the latter making his World Championship debut. Torgashev, aiming to improve upon a lackluster Olympic result, finished in seventh place following the short program, while Sanchez achieved a career-best score.
In the pairs competition, Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin were crowned champions for the first time, building on their bronze medal performance from the Olympics. They were joined on the podium by Georgia’s Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava, who took silver, and Canada’s Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, who won bronze.
### Upcoming Events and Competitors to Watch
As the championships continue, several athletes are demonstrating promise. Isabeau Levito is poised to potentially improve on her 12th-place Olympic finish. She performed strongly in the short program, placing fourth and competing under the mentorship of her fellow U.S. teammates.
In the ice dance discipline, Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, fresh off a fifth-place Olympic finish, will be center stage along with experienced competitors like Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who are seeking their fifth world medal. The competition seeks to build on their historic success after garnering bronze at the Olympics.
Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto, entering her final competition before retirement, is also a focus as she sits poised at the top of the leaderboard after her short program.
### Broadcast Information
Fans eager to follow the competition can catch all events live on Peacock, with broadcasts available through NBC and USA Network. The event schedule features the rhythm dance and women’s free skate on Friday, followed by men’s free skating and free dance on Saturday, ensuring a thrilling conclusion to the championships.
With high-profile performances and emotional farewells, the 2026 ISU World Figure Skating Championships promise to deliver memorable moments as skaters vie for excellence and redemption on the ice.
Source: Original Reporting
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