USA’s Efimova and Mitrofanov strike gold at Four Continents
2026 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships: Pairs
USA’s Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov struck Four Continents gold in the Pairs’ event on Saturday in Beijing, China. Wenjing Sui and Cong Han of China claimed the silver, while Japan’s Yuna Nagaoka and Sumitada Moriguchi earned the bronze.
Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov
Efimova and Mitrofanov delivered a level three triple twist and throw triple loop in their short program to “Cloak and Dagger.” Efimova put a hand down on the side-by-side triple toes, but that was the only error in an otherwise solid performance. The death spiral spin and lift were all graded a level four, and the national champions placed third with a new personal best of 71.85,
“We feel good about our skate today,” said Mitrofanov. “It was a new personal best for us, step up from Finland. It was a long day, but we stayed focused and we wanted to make sure that we stay well rested before the competition.”
“I feel relieved today,” Efimova. “I’m very happy that we finally can rest after these intensive days here in China. I think the tight competition schedule is catching up a little bit, so today was not easy to get ready for the skate, but I’m very happy how we put ourselves together today.”
The 2025 Grand Prix Finland silver medalists were nearly solid in their passionate “Love Story” free skate. They opened with a level-three triple twist before producing a side-by-side triple Salchow-double Axel-double Axel sequence. Efimova stepped out of the triple toes and put a hand down on the throw triple loop, but the pair spin, death spiral and two lifts were graded a level four. They received a one-point deduction for a time violation but ultimately placed first in this segment with 133.49 points. With a total score of 205.34, they rose to first place overall.
“In practice, we could feel how tight the competition can be,” Efimova said. “Which made it even more special and added a little pressure, but also the athletic interest. I felt that everyone was doing their best. So, it was exciting to wait for the evening and see how we all would perform. I’m very happy with our results and thanks so much for all the competitors for making this very interesting competition.”
“This is my first gold medal in Four Continents championships, and I’m happy to win it with Misha,” she added. “I am proud of us. But overall, the athletic career and life is a long path; we just keep on moving forward. From this competition, we will try to take that knowledge and experience of handling pressure and excitement. I think what’s more valuable is what we have learned together through this competition.”
Wenjing Sui and Cong Han
The 2022 Olympic gold champions took a new season’s best of 76.02 for first place after their short program to “Habanera” from Carmen. Sui hung on to her jump in the side-by-side triple toes, but put a foot down on the throw triple flip. However, the throw triple twist was graded a level four, as was their spin, lift, death spiral, and footwork.
“Before we came here, there was an accident while we were practicing jumps at home, and I got a bit injured,” revealed Han. “Since the competition is really close, the injury hasn’t fully recovered yet, but we still came to participate. Today, due to pain and the tight preparation time, we encountered some minor issues in throws jumps and solo jumps. But I think our physical health is always the top priority; we’ll give it our all together afterward.”
“We are very happy to participate in the Four Continents Championship again,” he added. “This is the last chance for us to practice before the Olympics. Today we are very honored to get the best score, although it was not so perfect. But before the Olympics, every time we participate in competition, it’s a chance for us to upgrade ourselves and improve ourselves from the Cup of China and NHK Trophy and then to the nationals. Our scores, and also our contents, have been continuously improving. We are very happy to get the first place; we still have room for improvement, and we’ll try to do better in the Olympics.”
“My goal is aligned in general with that of Han Cong, but in this process, there might be some differences,” said Sui. “Han Cong said that health is the most important, but for myself, my healthy condition, my body condition is not quite good now. In spite of that, we still performed well today. So, we’re confident for Milan.”
The two-time World champions placed fourth (124.97) in the free skate after making several costly mistakes. Their routine to music from A Tapestry of a Legendary Land featured a level-four triple twist, throw triple flip, two level-four lifts and pair spin. However, Sui stepped out of the second jump in the side-by-side triple toe-double Axel-double Axel sequence, while Han singled his second jump. They also struggled on the triple Salchows where Sui took a hard fall. She later stepped out of the throw triple Salchow, putting hand down. With a total score of 200.99, the team slipped to second place overall.
“This is my last Four Continents championships, and today we were affected by the injury before the competition,” said Han. “But I’m glad to win this medal for the last time. I’m very thankful because it’s progress. This is our ninth Four Continents championships over the years. As an athlete, I’m very happy to participate in these international top matches and have some achievements made.”
“The Four Continents championships has special meanings for us,” added Sui. “Because our first championship medal in the senior group was in 2012. Over these years, we can still get on the podium, we are very proud of ourselves. I was facing difficulties and injuries, but we will be able to adjust ourselves to skate to Milan.”
Yuna Nagaoka and Sumitada Moriguchi
Nagaoka and Moriguchi placed second in the short program with a new personal best of 71.95. Their dynamic routine to “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” featured side-by-side triple loops, and a throw triple Salchow. The triple twist, death spiral and spin were graded a level three, while the lift and steps earned a level four.
“We were under a lot of pressure,” admitted Moriguchi. “However, today we were able to perform calmly and put out everything we were preparing for. That was something that we were very happy about. I’m personally disappointed about the spin because I made a mistake. The next challenge would be the Olympics, so I want to do better. We are both grateful for the season’s best and a small medal.”
The national bronze medalists placed third (125.51) in the free skate after their routine to “The Tree of Life.” Nagaoka two-footed and stepped out the throw triple loop and took a fall on the throw triple Salchow. She also slightly underrotated the second jump in the triple loop-double Axel-double Axel sequence, but the rest of the program was clean. The death spiral only earned base value, but all three lifts and the pair spin received a level four. With a total score of 197.46, they slipped to third overall.
“We got the bronze; this means a lot,” said Nagaoka. “We are very happy. In terms of the performance, I’m disappointed with both throws because I made mistakes. But we’re happy that we are able to come to these championships and we got a medal. This also helps us grow.”
“This is our first Four Continents championships medal,” noted Moriguchi. “We are generally happy about that. So, this medal will be embedded in our skating career memory. We were able to compete with these wonderful athletes today, so I am very grateful. Whether it be Four Continents or World championships or the Olympics, we will make this medal as a motivator to keep going forward.”
Jiaxuan Zhang and Yihang Huang
Jiaxuan Zhang and Yihang Huang of China placed fourth with a new personal best of 69.05 with their short program to “Nemesis” by Benjamin Clementine. The triple twist, spin and death spiral were graded a level three, while the steps and lift received a level four. The team also landed side-by-side triple toes and a throw triple flip which earned high GOEs.
“This time I didn’t feel that much pressure, but rather, it was exciting to compete with many skilled players on the same stage,” said Zhang. “I feel honored. Through half a season of training, I feel that the short program is better than it was at the beginning. I feel more emotional. We will try to keep a calm mindset in the free skate.”
The 2024–25 Junior Grand Prix Final champions gave a good free skate to “O” by Coldplay, placing second in this segment with a new personal best score of 127.24. Two lifts and the spin were graded a level four, and the throw triple flip and throw triple loop were solid, earning high GOEs. They also produced side-by-side triple Salchows and level-three triple twist. However, she underrotated the last jump in the triple toe-single Axel-double Axel sequence while Huang stepped out of his. The judging panel also gave the team a one-point deduction for a “fall” when Zhang had a small trip before going into their first lift. With a total score of 196.29, they slipped to fourth place overall.
“The overall performance of the program is quite good,” said Zhang. “In terms of performance, the emotions are quite full, and with so many spectators present, cheering and cheering for us on the field, I feel very excited.”
“Coming from the provincial championships, I feel that our speed might be much worse than of other senior athletes,” added Huang. “We gradually improved our speed and the quality of the program, including some content, elements and performance aspects.”
Kelly Ann Laurin and Loucas Ethier
Canada’s Kelly Ann Laurin and Loucas Ethier put out a solid short program of the season, earning a new personal best of 65.68 for fifth place. The three-time national bronze medalist landed side-by-side triple Salchows, a throw triple loop and earned a level four on the lift and spin.
“We’re really happy about our program today!” said Laurin. “It was fun!”
“We were feeling really inspired by this Olympic venue,” added Ethier. “We also are not used to skating last in the event, that was a challenge, but I think we overcame it pretty well. The free skate has always been one of our stronger programs. I think it’s nice that we have a really good setup with the short, but we’re just trying to push even harder in the free and see where it can take us.”
The two-time Grand Prix medalists placed fifth in the free skate with a new personal best score of 122.59. Their routine to “Say Something.” and “The Turmoil of Love” was highlighted by a throw triple loop, throw triple Salchow and level four lifts and spin. The only mistakes came when Ethier took a fall on the triple Salchows and Laurin turned out the last jump in a double Axel-single Axel-double Axel sequence. They scored 188.27 in total, maintaining fifth place overall in their fourth appearance at this event.
“We are happy, but there were some small mistakes that we never do,” noted Laurin. “The beginning was a bit weird, but the rest was really good after that.”
“I’m a little disappointed. It was rare that it happens, but it’s just been stacking up a bit too much in my opinion this year,” said Ethier of the mistakes. “I really want to work on that, but overall, with the quick turnaround from nationals, I’m pretty satisfied with the results.”
USA’s Katie McBeath and Daniil Parkman placed sixth overall (181.12) ahead of teammates Audrey Shin and Balazs Nagy (176.40).
Related Info:
The post USA’s Efimova and Mitrofanov strike gold at Four Continents appeared first on Golden Skate.