Figure Skater Hwang Gyu-jin Finishes 15th at 1st Junior Grand Prix... Returning Russians Sweep All Events

Promising figure skating men's singles skaters Hwang Gyu-jin (Gyungseong Middle School) and Kim Ye-sung (Sejong High School) finished 15th and 16th, respectively, in their International Skating Union (ISU) Junior Grand Prix debut.

Hwang received 46.42 points in technical elements (TES), 54.91 points in program components (PCS), and a 1-point deduction for a total of 100.33 points in the men's singles free skating at the 2026–2027 ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix 1st Leg held today (the 22nd) at the Qujiang Sports Complex in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.

Hwang, who placed 13th in yesterday's short program with 63.43 points, recorded a total score of 163.76 points to finish 15th overall among 26 competing athletes.

Kim Ye-sung scored 56.58 points in TES and 51.01 points in PCS for a free skating total of 107.59 points, followed closely with a final combined score of 162.24 points including his short program score.

Lev Lazarev, an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) from Russia who scored a total of 250.21 points, claimed the championship.

Figure skating powerhouse Russia returned to international competitions this season under the AIN designation following the partial lifting of recent sanctions.

Russia swept all events—including men's and women's singles, ice dance, and pairs—at this tournament, which marked their return to the international stage.

(Photo: Captured from the International Skating Union (ISU) Facebook page, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.