Russian figure skater Sofia Dzepka wins gold at ISU Junior Grand Prix in Bangkok
Quick Look
- Sofia Dzepka of Russia won the gold medal in women's singles at the 2026 ISU Junior Grand Prix stage in Bangkok, scoring 205.73 points.
- Silver went to Japan's Sumika Kanazawa and bronze to Canada's Lia Cho.
- Dzepka, 17, is a former Russian Junior Championships bronze medalist and 2026 Russian Junior Grand Prix Final winner.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Russian and Belarusian athletes were suspended by the ISU in March 2022 due to the Ukraine conflict. In July 2026, the IOC recommended reinstating the Russian Olympic Committee and lifting restrictions on Russian athletes. Starting in the 2026/27 season, the ISU allowed Russian figure skaters to compete under neutral status.
BANGKOK, September 4. /TASS/. Russia’s Sofia Dzepka won the gold medal on Friday in women’s singles at the 2026 ISU (International Skating Union) Junior Grand Prix stage in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dzepka scored 205.73 points following her short and free skate programs. The silver went to Japan’s Sumika Kanazawa (202.79 points in aggregate), while Lia Cho from Canada packed the bronze (192.75 points in total).
Dzepka, 17, is the bronze medalist of the 2025 Russian Junior Championships, the winner of the 2026 Russian Junior Grand Prix Final. In August 2026, she won the ISU Junior Grand Prix series competition in China.
In March 2022, the ISU suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from all international tournaments supervised by the organization due to the developments in Ukraine.
At the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the ISU allowed two Russian figure skaters to participate under a neutral status - Adelia Petrosyan and Petr Gumennik.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced a decision in July to reinstate the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and also recommended lifting restrictions on the participation of Russian athletes in all international tournaments, including both in individual and team competitions.
Starting from the 2026/27 season, the International Skating Union allowed Russian figure skaters to participate in international competitions in a neutral status.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
More Russian figure skaters will compete in international events under neutral status during the 2026/27 season.
Very likely · Within months
The IOC will formally reinstate the Russian Olympic Committee's full rights in upcoming sessions.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Will full reinstatement of Russian national symbols in competitions follow?
- How will other international sports bodies respond to the ISU's decision?
- What conditions must be met for continued neutral participation?
