Prague, Czech Republic – The 2026 World Figure Skating Championships concluded in Prague on Sunday, with Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Haseová and Nikita Volodin taking gold in the pairs competition. The Czech duo of Anna Valesiová and Martin Bidař delivered a solid performance in the free skate, ultimately finishing 15th a result that mirrored Bidař’s previous World Championship placement in 2021 with a different partner.
Haseová and Volodin, bronze medalists at the 2022 Winter Olympics, solidified their lead from the short program with the best free skate of the evening. While Volodin had a minor error, stepping out of a planned triple Salchow, the pair’s overall performance was enough to secure their first World Championship title. This victory follows their European Championship title from 2025, a title they narrowly missed defending earlier this year in Sheffield, losing to Georgia’s Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava.
Metelkina and Berulava, who also placed higher at the Olympic Games, faltered in their free skate with a fall on a triple Rittberger, ultimately finishing just shy of the gold. The Georgian pair secured the silver medal, their first World Championship medal as double junior champions from 2024 and 2025. Canada’s Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud also earned their first World Championship medal, claiming bronze after maintaining their third-place position from the short program. Japan’s Juna Nagaoka and Sumitada Moriguchi showed significant improvement, finishing fourth after placing 22nd at last year’s World Championships and 19th at the Olympics.
Valesiová and Bidař’s performance marked a five-place improvement from their short program score. The Czech pair successfully advanced to the free skate, finishing 20th out of 21 qualifying teams after the initial round. Their 15th-place finish represents a positive step for the team as they continue to compete on the international stage.
The competition in Prague showcased the depth of talent in the pairs discipline. Haseová and Volodin’s victory underscores their consistent performance throughout the season, building on their Olympic bronze and European gold. Their ability to deliver under pressure, even with minor errors, proved decisive in securing the World Championship title.
Bidař, competing in his second World Championships, equaled his best-ever result at the event. His previous 15th-place finish came in 2021 alongside Elizaveta Zhukova. The Czech skater acknowledged the strength of the German pair, stating that Haseová is “one of the greatest workers” and praising Volodin’s physical presence on the ice. He noted his admiration for Volodin’s stature, playfully acknowledging a height difference.
The World Championships also saw strong performances from other teams, including the Canadian pair who demonstrated significant progress. Their climb from 22nd place last year to a bronze medal finish highlights the competitive nature of the sport and the potential for rapid improvement. The event in Prague provided a platform for both established stars and emerging talents to showcase their skills on the world stage.
The Czech pair will now look ahead to future competitions, aiming to build on their performance in Prague and continue their development as a team. The World Championships served as valuable experience for Valesiová and Bidař, providing them with an opportunity to compete against the best in the world and gain valuable insights into the demands of international competition.
The next major event on the figure skating calendar is the Grand Prix series, which will commence later this year. This series will provide skaters with opportunities to earn points towards qualification for the 2027 World Championships and the 2028 Winter Olympics.
Archysport will continue to provide updates and analysis on the figure skating world as the season progresses.
