Russian figure skater Pyotr Gumennik, competing in neutral status (AIN), completed the short program at the 2026 Olympic Games in 12th place. His performance took place on February 10 at the arena in Milan as part of men's single skating. He opened the competition by being the first on the ice.
According to the results of the rental, the athlete received 86.72 points , of which 48.43 are for technical elements and 38.29 for program components, writes xrust. Gumennik skated the routine without falling, maintaining the purity of his performance, but was inferior to the leaders in terms of difficulty level and GOE on jumps.
According to official data, Gumennik’s final place after the short program is 12th , which allows him to qualify for the free skate, which will take place on February 13 at 21:00 Moscow time .
- Leaders of the short program and the general situation in the tournament
- How did the rental of Pyotr Gumennik go
- What awaits Gumennik in the free program
- Strength training of Peter Gumennik: what is behind his technique
- Exercises for legs and jumping power
- Core and stabilization exercises
- Upper body exercises
- Why strength training is important for a skater
- The significance of Gumennik’s result for the Russian figure skating school
Leaders of the short program and the general situation in the tournament
The men's short program at the 2026 Olympics has become one of the most intense in recent years. 29 skaters took part in the competition, and only the best 24 received the right to advance to the free skate.
The top three are as follows:
- Ilya Malinin (USA) — 108.16 points
- Yuma Kagiyama (Japan) — 103.07 points
- Adam Xiao Him Fa (France) — 102.55 points
These data are confirmed by official competition reports and sports media publications.
American Malinin, known as the “King of Quads,” again demonstrated the highest level of technology and confidently topped the tournament table. Japanese Kagiyama and Frenchman Xiao Him Fa also showed clean and complex programs, which allowed them to gain a foothold in the top three.
How did the rental of Pyotr Gumennik go
Gumennik was the first to go on the ice — a difficult position, since the judges are not yet “warmed up” to evaluate highly, and the athlete has to set the tone for the entire competition. Nevertheless, he coped with the task:
- performed the jumping elements cleanly;
- maintained rotational stability;
- confidently held the musical pattern of the program;
- avoided errors on the step track.
However, in terms of complexity, Gumennik was inferior to the leaders: his program lacked ultra-si elements, which today are the standard for medal contenders.
Separately, it is worth noting that a few days before the start the athlete was forced to change the musical accompaniment due to copyright problems, which could affect emotional preparation for the performance. Nevertheless, he managed to maintain concentration and show clean performance.
What awaits Gumennik in the free program
The free program will take place on February 13 , and Gumennik has every chance to improve his position. Its strengths:
- stability of execution;
- high-quality rotations;
- expressive skating;
- ability to recover under pressure.
Experts note that with pure distribution and increased complexity, it can rise several positions up.
Strength training of Peter Gumennik: what is behind his technique
Pyotr Gumennik is known not only for his pure technique, but also for his serious physical training. His training includes a wide range of strength exercises aimed at developing explosive power, stability and core control — key parameters for a solo skater.
Below are examples of exercises that are traditionally used in training athletes of his level.
Exercises for legs and jumping power
1. Barbell squats
Develop strength quadriceps and gluteal muscles, responsible for the push in jumps.
2. Box jumps
Improves explosive power and grouping speed.
3. Bulgarian split squats
Helps develop balance and strength in each leg separately — important for stability when landing.
Core and stabilization exercises
1. Plank and side plank
Strengthen core muscles, providing body control in the air.
2. Twisting on a fitball
Develop flexibility and strength of the abdominal muscles.
3. Hyperextensions
Strengthens the lumbar region — a critical element for rotation.
Upper body exercises
1. Bent-over barbell row
Helps to form a strong back necessary for stable rotations.
2. Dumbbell bench press
Develops the pectoral muscles and shoulder girdle, improving overall stability.
3. Upper block thrust
class=»notranslate»>__GTAG30__Strengthens the latissimus dorsi muscles, which are involved in the tuck.
Why strength training is important for a skater
Modern figure skating requires athletes to combine:
- strength,
- endurance,
- coordination,
- explosive power.
class=»notranslate»>__GTAG10__ flexibility,
Strength training allows you to:
- improve jump height;
- stabilize landings;
- increase the speed of rotations;
- reduce the risk of injury;
- keep in shape throughout the season.
Gumennik is known for his attentive attitude to physical preparation, which helps him maintain stability at major tournaments.
The significance of Gumennik’s result for the Russian figure skating school
Despite speaking in a neutral status, Gumennik remains one of the most prominent representatives of the Russian school. His participation in the 2026 Olympics attracts the attention of both Russian fans and international experts.
12th place after the short program is a working position that allows you to fight for an improvement in the result in the free skate. Considering his stability and technical potential, Gumennik is capable of rising in the final table.
Xrust Pyotr Gumennik is 12th after the short program at the Olympic Games: analysis of skater skating and strength training
