Prague – The German pair of Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin are poised to contend for gold at the World Figure Skating Championships after a strong showing in the short program, building on their bronze medal performance at the recent Winter Olympics. The duo delivered a captivating performance, skating to a tango that earned them a leading score in Prague.
Hase and Volodin received 79.78 points for their skate, a score only slightly below the personal best of 80.015 they achieved at the Milan Olympics earlier this year, according to reporting from Welt. This performance secured them the top position heading into Thursday’s free skate. However, their future beyond this season remains uncertain, with the pair leaving their long-term plans open-ended.
The 26-year-olds, who train in Berlin, are seeking their first World Championship gold medal, having already secured silver and bronze in previous competitions. Their path to the top won’t be easy, as they hold a slim lead over their rivals. Anastasia Metelkina and Luka Berulawa of Georgia are close behind, trailing by just 0.33 points, while Canadians Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud sit in third with 75.52 points. Notably, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan, the Olympic gold medalists from Milan, have opted not to participate in the World Championships.
Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel, the second German pair competing, currently stand in tenth place with a score of 65.35 points. Their performance was impacted by a fall during Hocke’s triple Salchow attempt.
Sakamoto Eyes Farewell Gold
The World Championships began on Wednesday with the women’s short program, where Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto took the lead with 79.31 points. This competition marks a potential career finale for Sakamoto, who won Olympic silver in Milan. She leads her compatriot Mone Chiba (78.45 points) and American Amber Glenn (72.65 points).
Sakamoto’s pursuit of a fourth World Championship title will culminate in Friday’s free skate. Alysa Liu, the Olympic champion, had previously announced her withdrawal from the competition. Julia Sauter, representing Romania and finishing 17th at the Winter Olympics, qualified for the final round of 24 skaters, placing 23rd in the short program.
Germany will as well be represented by 18-year-old Genrikh Gartung in his World Championship debut, as well as the ice dancing duo of Jennifer Janse van Rensburg and Benjamin Steffan. US skater Ilia Malinin, who faced challenges at the Olympics, is also competing in Prague. Surprisingly, Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan, the Olympic champion, is not participating in these championships.
The men’s short program is scheduled to begin on Thursday at 11:30 AM local time.
Minerva Fabienne Hase, born June 10, 1999, in Berlin, Germany, has quickly grow a prominent figure in the world of pair skating. According to the International Skating Union, she currently skates with Nikita Volodin, having previously partnered with Nolan Seegert. Hase and Volodin’s partnership began in October 2022, following a suggestion from their coach, Dmitri Savin. Volodin obtained German citizenship in August 2025.
The pair’s success is a testament to their dedication and the coaching team of Dmitri Savin, Knut Schubert, Sidnei Brandão, and Rico Rex. Their choreography is crafted by Mark Pillay (short program), Paul Boll (short program), and Benoit Richaud (free skate). Hase and Volodin train in Berlin and skate for BSV 92 Berlin.
Their recent achievements include being the 2026 Winter Olympic bronze medalists, the 2025 World silver medalists, and the 2024 World bronze medalists. They are also the 2025 European champions and two-time Grand Prix Final champions (2023-24, 2024-25). Hase previously achieved success with Nolan Seegert, winning the 2021 CS Nebelhorn Trophy and three German national championships (2019-20, 2022).
The stakes are high as Hase and Volodin aim for their first World Championship gold. Their performance in Prague will not only determine their medal placement but could also influence their decision regarding their future as a skating pair. Fans will be watching closely to observe if they can cap off a remarkable season with a triumphant victory.
The free skate is scheduled for Thursday evening, offering Hase and Volodin the opportunity to solidify their position and potentially claim the World Championship title. The event will be broadcast on Eurosport and ZDF-Mediathek.
