On February 7, the youth division of the Russian Junior Figure Skating Championships concluded in Saransk. The champion of this competition was Arseny Fedotov, who earned a total of 269.04 points across the short program and the free skate. His performance demonstrated consistency and technical skill, securing the top spot in the final standings.
In second place, Lev Lazarev finished with 259.28 points after both segments, while Ivan Ramzenkov claimed third with 234.03 points. The results reflect the depth of emerging talent in Russian junior figure skating, with Lazarev and Ramzenkov delivering solid programs that complemented Fedotov’s standout victory.
The girls took the ice for their free program on February 7, and Margarita Bazylyuk led the field after her opening performance. Her early lead indicated a competitive event with several skaters poised to challenge for podium positions in the remaining rounds.
Arseny Fedotov had previously captured the gold medal at the Russian Junior Championships when the event was held in Perm the year before. His prior success added to the expectations surrounding his development and potential in the junior circuit.
In late February 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued guidance to international sports federations advising that Russian and Belarusian athletes should not participate in competitions. Following this guidance, the International Skating Union paused athletes from those nations, suspending their eligibility in ISU events during that period.
Additionally, comments from Rodnina were noted regarding the status of Valieva, with remarks suggesting that she should not be viewed as an Olympic champion under the circumstances described. This context reflects ongoing discussions about eligibility, titles, and recognition within the sport during that era.