Armenian pair enters Top 10 of the short program at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships

On March 25, the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships kicked off in Prague (Czech Republic). On the opening day, the short programs in women’s singles and pairs skating took place.

Representing Armenia in the pairs event were Karina Akopova and Nikita Rakhmanin. The duo performed the same short program set to “Artsakh” by Ara Gevorgyan, which they had previously presented at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Armenian pair opened the event and delivered a clean and confident performance. They earned 67.12 points, surpassing their Olympic personal best (66.27). According to experts, a later starting position could have resulted in even higher scores.

A total of 21 pairs competed in the short program, with 20 advancing to the free skate. Akopova and Rakhmanin finished in 8th place, securing a spot in the top ten.

The short program was won by Olympic bronze medalists Minerva Fabienne Hase / Nikita Volodin (Germany) with 79.78 points. Second place went to Anastasiia Metelkina / Luka Berulava (Georgia) with 79.45, while Canadians Lia Pereira / Trennt Michaud placed third with 75.52.

Top 10 (Pairs Short Program):
Hase / Volodin — 79.78
Metelkina / Berulava — 79.45
Pereira / Michaud — 75.52
Pavlova / Sviatchenko — 69.92
Nagaoka / Moriguchi — 69.55
Chan / Howe — 69.02
Efimova / Mitrofanov — 67.29
Akopova / Rakhmanin — 67.12
Vaipan-Law / Digby — 66.34
Hocke / Kunkel — 65.35

In women’s singles, Olympic silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto (Japan) won the short program with 79.31 points.

Women’s Short Program Results (Worlds 2026):
Kaori Sakamoto — 79.31
Mone Chiba — 78.45
Amber Glenn — 72.65
Isabeau Levito — 72.16
Nina Pinzarrone — 71.82

On March 26, Armenian single skater Semyon Danilyants will compete. The same day will also feature the pairs free skate, where Akopova and Rakhmanin will continue their fight for top positions.