In the Russian Figure Skating Championships, the team event produced a headline performance by Olympic champions Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Gallyamov, who secured the gold in the pairs competition. Their score in the free program reached 161.84 points, lifting their total to 244.85. The silver medal went to European champions Alexandra Boykova and Dmitry Kozlovsky with 236.32 points, while Ekaterina Chikmareva and Matvey Yanchenkov earned bronze with 227.97.
The national championship is scheduled to take place in Chelyabinsk from December 20 to 24, with the segment of the women’s free program closing the event on December 23. The tournament format typically features a series of short programs and free skates across different disciplines, culminating in a medal presentation that highlights emerging talents alongside established stars.
In February 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued a directive to international sports federations recommending the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from participation in competitions. Following this guidance, the International Skating Union suspended competitors from both nations, a move that affected their participation in major events during that period. The Beijing Olympic Games in February 2022 represented the last major global stage for several Russian skaters under the suspension framework at that time.
Earlier, there was an instance during the Russian Championship where a skater experienced a split during a rental period, drawing attention to the physical and technical challenges skaters face during high-stakes national events. These moments illustrate the ongoing effort to balance precision, artistry, and endurance within a competitive season that often blends national pride with international sport dynamics.
As the sport continues to evolve, teams and individuals from Russia contribute to a season steeped in routine competitions, strategic training, and the pursuit of peak performance. The Chelyabinsk championship serves not only as a national showcase but also as a stepping stone for selections to international assignments, with skaters aiming to showcase consistency, technique, and artistic expression across programs that test them from start to finish.