Georgia’s Nika Egadze Wins European Figure Skating Championship
In a remarkable display of skill, Georgia’s Nika Egadze clinched the European figure skating championship title on Saturday in Sheffield, England, just in time for the upcoming Winter Olympics. His impressive performance secured him the gold medal by a remarkable margin of nearly 17 points.
Impressive Performance
Egadze skated last in the competition, benefiting from the mistakes of other competitors. However, rather than just playing it safe, he upped the ante by delivering a stunning free skate, achieving a personal best that included four quadruple jumps. He finished with an outstanding total score of 273 points, with a free skate score of 181.72.
“When I came to the ice it was a little bit shaky,” he reflected after the event. “I just remembered the words of my coaches, I just need to enjoy the moment.”
This victory marks a significant achievement for Egadze and the nation of Georgia, who also saw success earlier in the championships when Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava secured gold in the pairs event on Thursday.
Other Competitors
Italy’s Matteo Rizzo finished second, earning a silver medal with a combined score of 256.37, which marked his fourth medal at the European championships over his career. In a surprising turn, Georgii Reshtenko of the Czech Republic, who had previously never finished higher than ninth in major competitions, captured bronze with a personal best score of 238.27, edging out Switzerland’s defending champion, Lukas Britschgi, who came in fourth.
The Estonian duo of Aleksandr and Mihhail Selevko initially stood in second and third after the short program held earlier in the week. Unfortunately for them, both fell during the free skate, which caused them to drop to fifth and sixth place overall, unable to replicate their compatriot Niina Petrokina’s victory in the women’s event.
Looking Ahead
As the championships wrapped up, attention turned to the final free dance segment in ice dance later that same day.
