Armenia celebrated a major milestone at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, as the pair of Karina Akopova and Nikita Rakhmanin delivered the country’s best-ever performance in Olympic pairs figure skating.
The Armenian duo finished 14th overall with a combined score of 180.66 points, marking a historic achievement for the nation in this discipline.
For a country with limited representation in winter sports, the result is being seen as an important step forward and a proud moment for Armenian fans around the world.
Performance Breakdown
Akopova and Rakhmanin showed strong consistency across both segments of the competition. Their emotional short program helped them qualify comfortably for the final round.
Armenia Pair Scores – Milan-Cortina 2026
| Segment | Score | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Short Program (Feb 15) | 66.27 | 12th |
| Free Skate (Feb 16) | 114.39 | Qualified Final Group |
| Total Score | 180.66 | 14th Overall |
In the short program, the pair performed to “Artsakh” by Armenian composer Ara Gevorgyan, creating a powerful cultural moment that resonated strongly with the Armenian community.
Their free skate to music from Slumdog Millionaire included a minor fall, which affected the final score, but the overall performance remained solid.
Also see: Elana Meyers Taylor Wins Gold at Milano Cortina 2026: Historic Monobob Victory and Olympic Record
A New Beginning for Armenia
This was the duo’s first Olympic appearance representing Armenia. They began competing for the country in 2025 after previously skating under a different system.
Armenian Skating Duo Makes History at Winter Olympics, Finishes 14th in Pairs 🇦🇲
— Zartonk Media (@ZartonkMedia) February 17, 2026
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Karina Akopova and Nikita Rakhmanin finished 14th overall in the pairs event at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, posting a combined score of 180.66 points across both… pic.twitter.com/V0Gzi0Tc1r
The pair trains under the guidance of Fedor Klimov, a 2014 Olympic silver medalist, whose experience has played a key role in their rapid progress.
Their performance not only improved Armenia’s competitive standing but also brought national identity and cultural expression to the Olympic stage.
Pairs Figure Skating Medal Winners – 2026
| Medal | Pair | Country | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Riku Miura / Ryuichi Kihara | Japan | 231.41 |
| Silver | Anastasiia Metelkina / Luka Berulava | Georgia | 221.75 |
| Bronze | Minerva Fabienne Hase / Nikita Volodin | Germany | 219.09 |
Japan’s victory marked the country’s first Olympic gold in pairs figure skating, while Georgia also celebrated its first Winter Olympic medal in the event.
Finishing 14th among the world’s best pairs may not be a medal result, but for Armenia, it represents historic progress. The performance showed strong technical ability and international competitiveness.
The emotional connection created by their Armenian-themed music also gained attention on social media, with many fans praising the duo for representing their culture proudly on a global stage.
With continued development and experience, Akopova and Rakhmanin could help raise Armenia’s profile further in future Winter Olympic competitions.
Their achievement at Milan-Cortina 2026 stands as a landmark moment for Armenian figure skating and a sign of growing potential for the nation in winter sports.
