Guzherev Ryomai wins gold medal at Moscow International Ballet Competition

The final selection for the Moscow International Ballet Competition, one of the world's leading ballet competitions, was held at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow on the 4th, and Japanese national Ryoma Guzherev (20) from Mitaka City, Tokyo, won first place and the gold medal in the solo in the senior male category. In the male junior category solo, Mr. Watanabe Izushi (18), a native of Nagoya, placed second in silver, and in the female junior category solo, Nagai Sakura (16), a native of Nagoya, placed third in bronze.

Mr. Sai, who lives in the United States, receives the top prize at the Young Ballet Competition, where many Japanese people win the prize.

Ryomai has a Belarusian father and a Japanese mother. At the previous competition in 2022, he won the silver prize in the male junior division duet. This time, he won the gold award and expressed his joy, saying, ``I'm happy because I improved my level.''

She was exposed to ballet from an early age, and began studying ballet in earnest at the age of 12 in Belarus. In September 2025, she joined the prestigious Mariinsky Theater Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia, and has been active at the forefront.

Mr. Watanabe's father is also from Belarus, and he is a childhood friend of Mr. Ryomai. He confessed that he was ``very disappointed'' in receiving the silver award. Mr. Nagai, who received the bronze award, seemed surprised, saying, ``I never expected to be selected.'' ``My hard practice has been recognized,'' he said with a smile, ``I'm glad I applied for the competition.''