Georgia's Nika Egadze Wins First Ever Men's Figure Skating Gold

Nika Egadze glided across the ice in Sheffield, England on Saturday and made history his country will never forget.

The 23-year-old Georgian skater became the first man from his nation to win a European Figure Skating Championship, landing four quadruple jumps and achieving a personal best total score of 273.00. His performance earned him the top spot in both the short program and the free skate, cementing a victory that seemed impossible just one year ago.

Last year's European Championships ended in disappointment for Egadze. He stood in second place after the short program but tumbled to fourth overall after ranking eighth in the free skate. The loss could have broken his confidence, but instead it became his teacher.

"Now I know how to skate in the free," Egadze told reporters on Thursday before his championship performance. And on Saturday, in front of a nearly sold-out crowd, he proved those weren't just words.

After his final jump, Egadze celebrated with a joyful penguin slide across the ice. It was his first podium finish ever at an ISU Championship, and he made it count by going straight to gold.

Why This Inspires

Egadze's win represents more than personal achievement. Georgia claimed its second gold medal of the week at the Sheffield Arena, following the pairs victory by Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava just two days earlier.

"It means a lot to Georgia," Egadze said after his win. "I am so proud that me and Luka both made it." His humility shone through even in victory, as he acknowledged his performance wasn't perfect and identified areas to improve.

Italy's Matteo Rizzo took silver with a stunning free skate that likely secured his spot at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in his hometown. The 27-year-old's fourth European medal proved he belongs among the world's best.

Egadze's journey shows what happens when setbacks become stepping stones instead of roadblocks, and when an entire nation rallies behind its athletes to reach new heights together.