Hase and Volodin Crowned World Champions in Prague: A Dream Realized for German Pair
Prague – Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin of Germany have captured the gold medal in pair skating at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships, culminating a remarkable ascent for the duo. The victory, secured on Thursday, March 26th, at the Ondřej Nepela Arena in Prague, Czech Republic, marks a career high point following their bronze medal at the recent Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. This is Germany’s first World Championship title in pair skating since Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot’s triumph in 2018.
Five weeks after their Olympic bronze, Hase and Volodin delivered a stunning free skate performance, enchanting the audience and judges alike. Their total score of 228.33 points edged out Anastasia Metelkina and Luka Berulawa of Georgia (218.41 points), who took silver, while Canadians Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud claimed the bronze with 216.09 points. The win is particularly significant as the Japanese Olympic and World champions, Miura Riku and Kihara Ryichi, withdrew from the competition prior to the event.
From Bronze to Gold: A Consistent Rise
This World Championship gold represents the latest step in a consistent upward trajectory for Hase and Volodin. They secured bronze at the 2024 World Championships, followed by a silver medal at the 2025 event. Their Olympic bronze in Milan further solidified their position among the world’s elite pairs teams. The pair had previously left their sporting future open, making this victory potentially a fitting culmination to their partnership.
The German duo entered the free skate with a narrow lead established after a strong short program, scoring 79.78 points – just ahead of Metelkina and Berulawa’s 79.45. Hase described their short program as “the best of the entire season,” setting the stage for a thrilling final performance. While not flawless, their free skate showcased their artistry and technical skill, proving enough to secure the title.
A Performance Under Pressure
The pressure was palpable heading into the free skate, especially given their experience at the Olympics where a strong short program was followed by a less polished free skate. However, Hase and Volodin rose to the occasion in Prague. “We wanted to have fun here. But of course, it’s very nice that we won,” Hase said after the event, acknowledging the weight of expectation.
Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel, the second German pair competing in Prague, similarly delivered a strong performance, improving from tenth place after the short program to finish seventh overall with a total score of 194.11 points. Their progress demonstrates the growing strength of German pair skating.
Minerva Hase: A Rising Star
Minerva Fabienne Hase, born on June 10, 1999, in Berlin, has quickly become a prominent figure in the world of figure skating. Alongside Volodin, she is a two-time Grand Prix Final champion (2023-24, 2024-25) and a six-time ISU Grand Prix medalist. Prior to partnering with Volodin in 2022, Hase competed with Nolan Seegert, achieving success including a bronze medal at the 2019 Rostelecom Cup and a championship at the 2021 CS Nebelhorn Trophy. She represented Germany at the 2022 Winter Olympics with Seegert.
What’s Next for Hase and Volodin?
Despite their recent success, Hase and Volodin have not yet confirmed their plans for the future. The pair has remained noncommittal about continuing their partnership beyond this season, leaving fans wondering if this World Championship victory will serve as a grand finale to their competitive career. The skating world awaits their decision with anticipation.
The next major event on the figure skating calendar is the ISU Grand Prix series, which will start later this year. Fans can follow updates on Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin, as well as other top skaters, through the official ISU website: https://www.isu.org/.
This victory for Hase and Volodin is a testament to their dedication, artistry, and resilience. It marks a golden moment for German figure skating and a thrilling chapter in the ongoing story of this talented pair.
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