Prague plays host to the World Figure Skating Championships this week, beginning Thursday, March 26th, just one month after the conclusion of the Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. The pairs competition will be keenly watched, though it will proceed without the reigning Olympic champions, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan. The Japanese duo has withdrawn from the event, citing time constraints following their gold medal performance in Italy.
The absence of Miura and Kihara, who too claimed world titles in 2023 and 2025, opens the door for other contenders. Among those expected to challenge for the podium are silver medalists from the Milan-Cortina Games, Anastasia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia, and the bronze medal-winning German pair, Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin. The competition promises to be fierce as skaters vie for world titles in the wake of the Olympic Games.
French Duo Aiming for Personal Best
Representing France in Prague will be Camille Kovalev and Pavel Kovalev, a couple both on and off the ice since 2014. The pair recently competed at their first Olympic Winter Games, finishing in 16th place. They will be looking to improve upon that result and surpass their previous best performance at the World Championships, where they have finished eighth. Their journey to the top has been well-documented, including a charming revelation that they initially connected on a dating site for figure skaters.
How to Watch the Pairs Free Skate
The pairs free skate, a pivotal moment in the World Championships, is scheduled for Thursday, March 26th, and will be broadcast live on Eurosport 2, starting at 18:10 local time. For viewers in other time zones, this corresponds to 17:10 UTC. This event offers a chance to see the world’s best pairs teams compete for the coveted world title, and to witness if a modern champion will emerge in the absence of Miura and Kihara.
The road to Olympic gold for Miura and Kihara wasn’t without its challenges. At the Milan-Cortina Games, Kihara faced a difficult moment during the pairs short program, struggling with a lift that initially placed the team in fifth place. Still, they demonstrated remarkable resilience, delivering a stunning free skate performance. Their free skate score of 158.13 was a world record, propelling them to the top of the podium and securing Japan’s first-ever Olympic pairs medal. The emotional weight of the victory was palpable, with Kihara overcome with tears of joy after a performance that followed initial disappointment.
Prior to the Olympics, Miura and Kihara had already established themselves as a dominant force in the sport, consistently achieving personal bests in both the team event and individual competitions. Their success at the Olympics built upon a strong foundation of consistent performance and unwavering dedication. The team’s coach, Bruno Marcotte, played a crucial role in their journey, providing guidance and encouragement even in the face of adversity. Marcotte’s mantra of “It’s not over” proved prophetic after Kihara’s initial misstep in the short program.
While Miura and Kihara’s absence is a notable storyline at the World Championships, the competition remains stacked with talented skaters. Metelkina and Berulava will be eager to capitalize on the opportunity to claim the gold medal, while Hase and Volodin will look to build upon their Olympic bronze. The Kovalevs, representing France, will aim to achieve a personal best and make their mark on the world stage.
For figure skating fans, the World Championships in Prague represent a continuation of the excitement generated by the Milan-Cortina Games. The event provides a platform for skaters to showcase their skills and compete for world titles, and to begin looking ahead to the next Olympic cycle. The competition promises to be a thrilling display of athleticism, artistry, and determination.
The World Figure Skating Championships continue through the weekend, with competition in other disciplines including men’s singles, women’s singles, and ice dance. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage and updates from Prague.
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