#FigureSkating

ISU World Junior Champions Anastasiia Metelkina/Luka Berulava skated in spectacular style to win their first ISU Grand Prix gold medal for Georgia, in the Pairs discipline, at NHK Trophy Saturday in Tokyo (JPN).

Metelkina/Berulava strike first Grand Prix gold  

Reigning ISU World Junior Champions Anastasiia Metelkina/ Luka Berulava of Georgia skated to the first ISU Grand Prix gold medal in Pair Skating for their country. Top favorites and 2024 ISU World silver medalists Riku Miura/ Ryuichi Kihara of Japan settled for the silver medal. Ellie Kam/Danny O’Shea (USA) took the bronze. 

A year ago, Metelkina/Berulava competed successfully on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit and now continued their winning ways at the senior level. 

Gold medalists Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava (GEO) in the Pairs competition at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU

Skating to “A Necessary End” by Satillo, Metelkina/Berulava gave an excellent performance that featured a triple twist, triple toe, throw triple flip and loop as well as difficult lifts, spin and death spiral. The 2024 ISU European silver medalists improved their personal best by 11 points with a score of 142.77 points for the Free Skating and racked up 213.05 points overall. 

“I am just so proud that we were able to win that first gold medal (in Pair Skating) for Georgia and I want to thank our federation and all of our coaches,” Berulava said. 

“We've been working not only physically on the elements, but we have worked mentally a lot, because we feel in competition only 30% is the physical preparation. It all depends on your head,” he added.

“We are really thankful and grateful to the audience that has received us so well,” Metelkina said. “They were so supportive, and they gave us so much energy in both the short and the free program, and we really felt at home.”

Miura/Kihara opened their dynamic program to “Adios” by Benjamin Clementine with a triple twist and followed up with a throw triple loop and side by side triple Salchow. However, their pair combination spin was wobbly and received only a level one. 

The 2024 ISU Four Continents silver medalists had a season’s best of 137.55 points in the Free Skating but slipped to second at 209.45 points.

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan take silver in the Pairs competition at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU

“Compared to our previous competition at Skate America, our free program actually earned one point higher, so we are happy about that,” Miura noted.

Kihara explained the error in the pair combination spin: “We were about to change positions, and then I was in my second rotation on the camel when trying to change positions. My skate got caught in a groove, and then I put my foot down. We had our mistakes, but it didn't influence the other elements in the performance, so that was a good thing.”

Kam/O’Shea’s program to “Stand By Me” was highlighted by beautiful lifts and a triple Salchow-double Axel sequence but Kam fell on two throw jumps. 

The Skate America silver medalists netted 128.29 points and remained in third place at 197.44 points to take the bronze, their second ISU Grand Prix medal. 

Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea of the United States take the bronze in the Pairs competition at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU

“We are definitely a little disappointed with some mistakes today, but we're very happy with the overall improvement of our programs,” Kam said. 

“We are feeling very blessed to be up in this podium with some amazing competitors and to be at this rink with an amazing crowd again. To see the stands all full with some American flags there was really amazing.”

Annika Hocke/Robert Kunkel (GER) finished fourth with an entertaining performance to songs by Falco (188.54 points). Daria Danilova/Michel Tsiba (NED) pulled up to fifth place at 178.37 points. 

Metelkina/Berulava collected 15 points for their victory and with a total of 24 points are most likely qualified for the ISU Grand Prix Final. Miura/Kihara qualified with a first and second place (28 points) while Kam/O’Shea have 24 points from a silver and bronze medal. They will need to wait and see if that will get them to Grenoble.

For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix Event Page &  ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy Event Page & Official NHK Trophy Website.

Check out the ISU Grand Prix Standings to find out who is on their way to qualify for the Final:

Men     Women    Pair Skating    Ice Dance

What & When

The schedule of the NHK Trophy is as follows

Friday, Nov 8: Rhythm Dance, Pairs, Men’s & Women’s Short Programs

Saturday, Nov 9: Free Dance, Pairs, Men’s & Women’s Free Skating

Sunday, Nov 10: Exhibition Gala

Follow the ISU Grand Prix events:

The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event are available below:

• 18 - 20 Oct 2024        Skate America in Allen, TX (USA)
• 25 - 27 Oct 2024        Skate Canada International in Halifax (CAN)
• 01 - 03 Nov 2024         Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
• 08 - 10 Nov 2024        NHK Trophy in Tokyo (JPN)
• 15- 17 Nov 2024        Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN)  
• 22 - 24 Nov 2024         Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final: 

• 05 - 08 Dec 2024                        Grenoble (FRA)

About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.