Petrosyan Claims Russian Championship Title as Mixed Emotions Follow the Win
The newest Russian figure skating champion, Adelia Petrosyan, offered a brief apology after her standout performance in the national competition. The moment carried a swirl of emotions, with excitement and pride mingled with disappointment over a few missteps. Petrosyan described the day as a rollercoaster: surprised by her own progress, sad for the gaps in her program, yet deeply happy to stand atop the podium. She explained in a post-event interview that the goal had been to land a quadruple somersault and a quadruple toe loop, but only two toe loops materialized on the ice that day, a reminder that peak execution is a constant pursuit in elite sport. (Citation: Russian Figure Skating Federation)
On December 23, the young skater earned the top score of 246.53 points to clinch the national title. In second place finished Sofia Muravyova with 239.4 points, while Kamila Valieva—who led the standings after the short program—settled for third with 237.99 points. These results highlighted a season of intense preparation, as Petrosyan has built momentum from earlier successes and sharpened consistency in multiple components of her routines. (Citation: National Championship Report, Russian Figure Skating Federation)
Petrosyan had finished fifth at the Russian Championship the previous year, underscoring a rapid ascent for a skater who has quickly become a focal point in the country’s depth of talent. This season she has already captured two gold medals at the Russian Grand Prix, signaling a breakout year that has energized fans and commentators alike. Her rise reflects a broader trend in Russian ladies’ skating, where a new generation is pushing technical and artistic boundaries while teammates exchange leadership roles on the ice. (Citation: Grand Prix Circuit Summary, Russian Figure Skating Federation)
The Russian Championship schedule was set to culminate on December 24 with the official award ceremony and a set of demonstration performances designed to celebrate the sport and showcase the breadth of talent across age groups and disciplines. The competition structure typically blends short programs, free skates, and exhibition segments, offering both athletes and spectators a comprehensive view of the season’s progress. (Citation: Championship Handbook, Russian Figure Skating Federation)
In the men’s singles division, Evgeniy Semenenko emerged as the victor, displaying composure, technical prowess, and a competitive edge in the rhythm of the event. The ice danced pairs, led by Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin, demonstrated their hallmark synergy and precision, earning top marks for interpretation and technical execution. The pairs category was completed by Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Gallyamov, who delivered a performance that underscored the depth of Russia’s pairs skating program. (Citation: Event Recap, Russian Figure Skating Federation)
Earlier reports noted a moment involving a student associated with Tutberidze, who experienced multiple falls during a free program in the Chechen Republic. That incident drew attention to the demanding nature of the sport and the ongoing efforts by coaches and national teams to refine training methods, minimize-risk factors, and support athletes through challenging phases of a competitive season. (Citation: Sports News Brief, Regional Coverage)