With four world titles on the line, the 2026 World Skate Games reached a thrilling turning point at SND Arena. Outside, clouds and rain loomed over Asunción, Paraguay, but inside, the stars of Artistic Skating shone brightly as the world’s best Free Skaters took center stage. Artistic skaters are a rare breed, combining athletic excellence with extraordinary artistry. Their strength, speed, and technical mastery are matched by their ability to bring music to life, express emotion, and tell stories through movement. At the highest level, artistic skating transcends sport. We forget the difficulty and simply feel the performance, captivated by the beauty and emotion of a skater who seems to become one with the music. This is the true magic of Artistic Skating.

Junior Ladies Free Skating

Victoria Baldo — ITA — 196.70 points

Rita Azinheira — POR — 194.00 points

Costanza Biondi — ITA — 177.29 points

There is competition, and then there is competition in which the top three athletes deliver performances at the absolute peak of their abilities. Junior Ladies Free Skating was precisely that. All three skaters delivered jaw-dropping technical content, combining difficult elements with outstanding performances. Italy’s Victoria Baldo claimed first place and her first World Championship title with 196.70 points. Skating to the music of The Leopard, Baldo displayed extraordinary extension and elegance, filling the entire venue with her presence. Portugal’s Rita Azinheira, the 2025 World Champion, skated brilliantly in her signature elegant style to earn silver with 194.00 points. Italy’s Costanza Biondi completed the podium in third place with 177.29 points, capping an exceptional competition.

Junior Mens Free Skating

João Cruz — POR — 255.75 points

Alessandro Costagliola — ITA — 239.00 points

David Rama Garcia — ESP — 193.03 points

Portugal’s João Cruz, ranked number one in the World Skate Rankings, can now add World Champion and history-maker to his résumé. Building on his bronze-medal finish last year, Cruz delivered a packed program to Duality Backstage, earning an impressive 255.75 points. With this victory, Cruz became the first Portuguese man to win the Junior Mens Free Skating World Championship title. Italy’s Alessandro Costagliola showcased a compelling blend of strength and refinement, earning 239.00 points to claim silver. Spain’s David Rama Garcia made an impressive comeback, climbing from fifth place after the short program to capture bronze with a total of 193.03 points.

Senior Ladies Free Skating

Madalena Costa — POR — 264.69 points

Sira Bella Gallardo — ESP — 220.41 points

Elna Frances — ESP — 187.01 points

Portugal’s Madalena Costa has been crowned Senior Ladies Free Skating World Champion for the second consecutive time. Delivering a spellbinding performance to Für Elise, Costa shattered her own record, earning an incredible 264.69 points. The superstar continues to raise the bar with every performance, surpassing her previous records while treating her adoring fans to awe-inspiring displays of artistry and athleticism. Spain’s energetic Sira Bella Gallardo also brought the crowd to its feet. With a technically brilliant program set to Lady Gaga, Gallardo electrified the audience and claimed silver with 220.41 points. Completing the podium and adding another Spanish flag to the celebrations was Elna Frances, who earned 187.01 points to take home the bronze medal.

Senior Mens Free Skating

Guillermo Gomez — ESP — 275.76 points

Unai Cereijo Garcia — ESP — 260.16 points

Erik Leite — BRA — 224.74 points

Spain’s Guillermo Gomez surged to gold in his Senior Mens Free Skating debut, opening his program with two exceptionally difficult triple-triple jump combinations. Performing Prince Calaf from Turandot, Gomez combined extraordinary technical elements with his distinctive, deep-quality style to earn a record-breaking 275.76 points. Also making his Senior World Championship debut, Spain’s Unai Cereijo Garcia delivered a spectacular performance to Beggar. His brilliant, well-executed program earned 260.16 points and the silver medal. Brazil’s Erik Leite secured a place on the podium for the Americas with a powerful and engaging performance. His 224.74 points earned him the bronze medal. Congratulations to all the Free Skating competitors who took to the floor in Asunción! The Senior Ladies Free Skating field offered a compelling reflection of Artistic Skating’s global reach, with 35 athletes representing 22 nations. Across the Free Skating events, all five World Skate continents were represented, demonstrating the sport’s international breadth and growing connections around the world.

This global reach also underscores the importance of educational opportunities for coaches, skaters, and officials through World Skate seminars and online academy. These initiatives strengthen expertise, support professional development, and contribute to the sport’s continued growth. With Free Skating athletes from across the globe sharing the same stage, the 2026 World Skate Games reaffirmed Artistic Skating’s power to unite nations through a shared passion for what is the greatest sport in the world. Records were broken, and history was made in more ways than one in the Free Skating events! As Artistic Skating continues to evolve, rules are refined to support the sport’s global development. While these changes may affect how World Records are evaluated, the achievements of previous generations remain deeply respected. Today’s skaters stand on the foundations built by those who came before them, and we congratulate this current generation of Free Skaters on its phenomenal accomplishments and record-breaking performances. The next medal round features Junior and Senior Couples Dance and Pairs on October 12, beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time in Asunción. Catch all the action live at worldskate.tv Asunción is ready.

The skaters are ready. And we are all United By Wheels!