Ukraine is a country known for its strong skating tradition. From the ice skating rinks of Kiev to the ice hockey arenas of Lviv, the Ukrainian skating scene has produced some of the greatest skaters in the world.
From Olympic gold medalists to world champions, Ukrainian skaters have left an indelible mark on the sport. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best skaters in Ukraine and what makes them so special.
1. Oleksandra Nazarova
Oleksandra Yevhenivna Nazarova is a Ukrainian retired ice dancer. She has achieved great success in her career, winning numerous medals and titles.
She is the 2015 World Junior bronze medalist, having competed in the World Junior Championships with her skating partner, Maksym Nikitin. Nazarova and Nikitin also won the silver medal at the 2012 Youth Olympic Games.
During her career, she has consistently proven to be a formidable competitor on the world stage. Nazarova is an inspiration to many aspiring ice dancers and has set a high bar for future athletes to strive for.
Although she has retired from the sport, her accomplishments will be remembered by many for years to come.
2. Oksana Baiul
Oksana Serhiyivna Baiul-Farina is a renowned Ukrainian figure skater who has achieved international acclaim with her impressive performances and skill.
She is the 1993 world champion and the 1994 Olympic champion in ladies’ singles, making her the first-ever Ukrainian skater to win gold at the Winter Olympics.
Baiul has been lauded for her groundbreaking achievements as a Ukrainian athlete, and she has become a source of immense pride and inspiration to Ukrainians all over the world. In 1993, Baiul claimed her world title by winning the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague.
Her victory was considered a major upset at the time, as she was competing against seasoned veterans such as Nancy Kerrigan and Surya Bonaly. Her performance was praised for its technical precision and grace. The following year, Baiul stepped onto the Olympic stage.
At the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, she competed against some of the world’s best figure skaters and delivered a captivating performance. She wowed the crowd with her spins, jumps, and artistry, and soon emerged as the victor.
With her gold medal win, Baiul became the first and only skater representing Ukraine to ever win gold in figure skating at the Winter Olympics. Since her retirement from competitive figure skating in 1998, Baiul has been involved in many charitable initiatives.
She has been involved with organizations such as the Special Olympics and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and has also written a book, “Oksana: My Own Story.” Her story continues to inspire people around the world, and she stands as a symbol of strength and perseverance for Ukrainians everywhere.
3. Ivan Shmuratko
Ivan Oleksiyovych Shmuratko is a Ukrainian figure skater who has achieved a great deal of success on the international stage.
At the senior level, he is the proud recipient of the bronze medal at the 2018 Volvo Open Cup, the silver medal at the 2018 Bosphorus Cup, and the four-time Ukrainian national champion.
His success has not been limited to the senior level, however, as he also earned the bronze medal at the 2019 JGP Italy on the junior level. His impressive accomplishments demonstrate his high level of skill and dedication to his sport.
He is an inspiration to aspiring figure skaters around the world and a reminder of the possibilities that can be achieved through hard work and perseverance.
4. Maksym Nikitin
Maksym Kostiantynovych Nikitin is a Ukrainian ice dancer who has retired from the sport. He was an accomplished athlete during his career, achieving significant success on the international stage.
With his skating partner, Oleksandra Nazarova, he won a bronze medal at the 2015 World Junior Championships and a silver medal at the 2012 Youth Olympic Games. The pair were also successful in other junior-level international competitions, including at the JGP series.
Nikitin and Nazarova formed a successful partnership, skating together for nearly a decade before his retirement in 2018.
Nikitin was known for his strong technical skills and artistry on the ice, and he and Nazarova were praised for their creative choreography and on-ice chemistry.
Their partnership was admired by fans and competitors alike, and they will be remembered for their outstanding accomplishments.
5. Anastasiia Arkhypova
Anastasiia Kostyantinivna Arkhypova is an accomplished Ukrainian figure skater. She has achieved notable success at the national level, having been crowned the Ukrainian national senior champion on two occasions.
In addition, Arkhypova has enjoyed success on the international stage, having placed 13th at the 2018 World Junior Championships. This is an impressive feat, and it demonstrates the immense talent that Arkhypova possesses.
She is clearly a young figure skater to watch, and her future looks bright.
6. Yuri Rudyk
Yuri Rudyk is a Ukrainian pair skater who has achieved a great deal of success in his field. He has been a three-time Ukrainian national champion in pair skating with partner Julia Lavrentieva, proving that they are one of the top Ukrainian pair skating teams.
In 2013, Yuri and Julia competed at the European Championships, achieving an impressive 11th-place finish. This result demonstrated the great skill and talent of the pair, as well as their hard work and dedication towards their sport.
Yuri has proven himself to be an outstanding athlete and an inspiration to other skaters from Ukraine and beyond.
7. Viktor Petrenko
Viktor Vasyliovych Petrenko is a Ukrainian former competitive figure skater who had a long and successful career representing the Soviet Union, the Unified Team, and Ukraine. He is best known for being the 1992 Olympic Champion for the Unified Team.
As a result of this remarkable accomplishment, Petrenko has gone down in history as the first flagbearer for Ukraine. Petrenko began his figure skating career in the Soviet Union, competing at the junior level in the latter half of the 1980s.
He quickly rose to prominence, winning the bronze medal at the 1989 World Junior Championships and the silver medal at the 1990 Soviet Championships.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Petrenko competed for the Unified Team at the 1992 Winter Olympics, where he won the gold medal. After this historic win, Petrenko went on to represent Ukraine in both the 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics.
During this time, he was also a three-time European Champion and two-time World Champion.
After his competitive career ended, Petrenko took on a coaching role, becoming the head coach of the Ukrainian national team in 2004. Petrenko’s career achievements and contribution to the sport of figure skating have cemented his legacy in history.
He is an inspiration to many aspiring figure skaters and serves as a reminder of the power of hard work and dedication. As the first flagbearer for Ukraine, he has become a symbol of pride and patriotism for his country.
8. Tatiana Volosozhar
Tatiana Andreyеvna Volosozhar is a Ukrainian-born Russian pair skater. Her achievements in the sport are nothing short of remarkable. With her skating partner, Maxim Trankov, she is a two-time Olympic champion in the pairs and team events from the 2014 Olympic Games.
Additionally, she is the 2013 World champion, a four-time European champion, the 2012 Grand Prix Final champion, and a three-time Russian national champion. As a pair skater, Volosozhar has been consistently successful in international competitions.
Her success in the 2014 Sochi Olympics was especially impressive, as she and Trankov became the first ever pair skaters to win a gold medal in both the pairs and team events.
In the 2013 World Championships, her performance with Trankov earned them the World Champion title. Volosozhar has also had a successful career on the European figure skating circuit.
In 2012, she became the Grand Prix Final champion with Trankov and has been a four-time European champion.
In the Russian National Championships, she has earned three titles in pairs skating. The accomplishments of Tatiana Andreyеvna Volosozhar have made her one of the most successful pair skaters of all time.
Her remarkable career has earned her numerous titles, medals, and awards, and she continues to inspire many with her incredible skill and dedication to the sport.
9. Ivan Khobta
Ivan Khobta is a Ukrainian pair skater who has achieved a great deal of success in the junior skating circuit.
He and his partner, Violetta Sierova, won the bronze medal at the 2023 World Junior Championships and have been two-time silver medalists on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series.
Moving up to compete as seniors, the pair have also had success, winning the bronze medal at the 2022 Ice Challenge and claiming the title of 2021 Ukrainian national champions.
Ivan Khobta’s career as a pair skater is off to a great start, and there is no doubt that he and Violetta will continue to have success in the future.
10. Oleh Handei
Oleh Handei is a Ukrainian short-track speed skater who competed in the 500-meter event at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Handei is an experienced skater, having competed in multiple international events in the past.
Despite his experience and expertise, he was unable to progress past the heats in the 2022 Olympics. This was a disappointment for Handei, who had been hoping to make a deeper run in the event.
However, Handei will no doubt use this experience as motivation to strive for better results in his future competitions.
He will also look to use this experience to improve his skills and technique so that he can be better prepared to perform at the highest level in the future.
11. Dmytro Dmytrenko
Dmytro Dmytrenko is a highly accomplished former competitive figure skater from Ukraine. He competed for the Soviet Union and achieved several impressive accomplishments, including winning the 1992 World Junior title.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Dmytrenko continued to compete for Ukraine, and his successes included winning the 1993 European title and the 2000 European bronze medal. Additionally, he was selected to compete in the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics.
Throughout his career, Dmytrenko was a dominant force in the world of figure skating, and his accomplishments are a testament to his talent and dedication to the sport.
12. Oleg Goncharenko
Oleg Georgievich Goncharenko was a Ukrainian speed skater who was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine. He attained the prestigious rank of Distinguished Master of Sports of the USSR, a prestigious title given to a select few athletes.
He made his international debut in 1953 and became the first male Soviet speed skater to become World Allround Champion. His success in the sport of speed skating was due to his hard work and dedication to the sport.
He trained and perfected his technique, and his achievements were a testament to his commitment to becoming the best.
His impressive performance in 1953 earned him the title of World Allround Champion, a remarkable accomplishment for a Soviet athlete. Oleg Goncharenko’s success in the world of speed skating has been an inspiration to many aspiring athletes.
His dedication and talent have served as a reminder to all athletes that hard work and dedication can bring about great success. He is remembered as a legendary figure in the world of speed skating and is an example of what can be achieved with hard work and determination.
13. Oksana Grishuk
Oksana Vladimirovna Grishuk is a renowned figure in the world of competitive ice dancing. Having partnered with Evgeni Platov from 1989 to 1998, the pair achieved a remarkable series of successes and set a standard of excellence in the sport.
During their partnership, they won two Olympic gold medals, four World Championships, and three European Championships, cementing their place as one of the greatest ice dancing duos of all time. Grishuk was one of the most talented ice dancers of her generation, possessing a combination of technical skill and artistry that set her apart from her peers.
Her ability to interpret the music and bring her own unique style to the ice made her performances truly spectacular.
With Platov, she created an unforgettable partnership, with a chemistry and synergy that enabled them to achieve unparalleled success. Their Olympic gold medal wins in 1994 and 1998 were highlights of their career.
In both competitions, they delivered outstanding performances, dazzling the judges and the audience alike.
At the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, they achieved a perfect score of 6.0 from all the judges, an unprecedented accomplishment in ice dancing. Overall, Oksana Vladimirovna Grishuk and Evgeni Platov were a formidable team.
Through their stunning technique and artistry, they pushed the boundaries of the sport and set a new benchmark for excellence. Their achievements will be remembered for many years to come.
14. Aljona Savchenko
Aljona Savchenko is a remarkable figure in competitive pair skating. Born in Ukraine, she has represented Germany in many competitions. She has an impressive list of accomplishments to her name, beginning with her gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
Before that, she had already clinched two bronze medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. Savchenko is also a six-time World Champion, having won the title in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
She has also achieved four European Championship titles, which she won in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018. Her success is further highlighted by her five Grand Prix Final titles, which she won in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012.
Overall, Savchenko is one of the most decorated pair skaters in the world. She has achieved incredible levels of success in both her individual and team competitions, and her legacy will surely last for many years to come.
15. Vyacheslav Zahorodnyuk
Vyacheslav Vasylovych Zahorodnyuk is a former competitive figure skater who represented the USSR and Ukraine during his career. He was a highly successful skater, having achieved many accolades.
He won the bronze medal at the 1994 World Championships, the gold medal at the 1996 European Championships, and the gold medal at the 1989 World Junior Championships. These successes demonstrate the high level of skill that Vyacheslav Vasylovych Zahorodnyuk possessed.
Throughout his career, Vyacheslav Vasylovych Zahorodnyuk continued to improve and refine his figure skating technique, which was evident in his performances. He was able to perform complex jumps and spins with ease, and had excellent control over his skating.
His ability to perform these difficult maneuvers, combined with his artistic expression, made him a fan favorite. Vyacheslav Vasylovych Zahorodnyuk was a major force in the competitive figure skating world.
His impressive list of accomplishments, combined with his technical and artistic abilities, make him an enduring figure skating legend.
16. Artem Darenskyi
Artem Andriyovych Darenskyi is a Ukrainian pair skater who is currently partnered with Sofiia Holichenko. Both skaters have had considerable success, earning two Ukrainian national senior championships together.
Before teaming up with Holichenko, Darenskyi was partnered with Sofiia Nesterova. Together, they were also two-time Ukrainian national senior champions. Darenskyi is a highly accomplished and experienced skater, demonstrating his skill and dedication to the sport.
His success with both of his partners showcases his talent as a pair skater and his ability to adapt to different situations. His accomplishments speak to the strength of the Ukrainian skating community and the quality of the athletes they produce.
17. Kyrylo Marsak
Kyrylo Andriyovych Marsak is an accomplished figure skater from Ukraine. He has achieved great success in his career, having won the bronze medal at the 2022 Tallinn Trophy and the 2022 Volvo Open Cup.
In the 2021–22 season, Kyrylo was named the Ukrainian national junior champion and also achieved a bronze medal in the senior division. This is a tremendous accomplishment for Kyrylo and a testament to his talent and dedication to the sport.
Kyrylo trains rigorously and works hard to perfect his skills. His success is no surprise, as he has put in countless hours of practice and dedication to become one of the best skaters in Ukraine.
Kyrylo’s commitment to excellence is evident in his impressive list of accomplishments, which includes his two bronze medals and his national championship title. Kyrylo’s achievements are inspiring to other aspiring figure skaters.
He has set a great example of what can be achieved with dedication and hard work. Kyrylo’s success is a great source of pride for the people of Ukraine, and he has become an icon in the sport.
He is an inspiration to young athletes everywhere, and a reminder that anything is possible with dedication and hard work.
18. Anastasiia Shabotova
Anastasiia Sergeevna Shabotova is a talented figure skater from Russia and Ukraine. She is the bronze medalist of the 2021 CS Denis Ten Memorial Challenge and a three-time Ukrainian national champion.
At the 2020 World Junior Championships, she successfully competed in the final segment. Anastasiia has had an impressive career so far, and her performance at the 2021 CS Denis Ten Memorial Challenge was especially noteworthy.
She was able to place third in the competition, cementing her place as one of the top figure skaters in the world. Additionally, she was able to become a three-time Ukrainian national champion, showing her strength in the sport.
At the 2020 World Junior Championships, Anastasiia skated well enough to make it to the final segment. This is a great accomplishment, and it speaks to her hard work and dedication to the sport.
She put in a great performance, and it is clear that she has a bright future ahead of her. Anastasiia Sergeevna Shabotova is an impressive figure skater, and she has achieved many successes throughout her career.
She is the bronze medalist of the 2021 CS Denis Ten Memorial Challenge, a three-time Ukrainian national champion, and a competitor in the final segment of the 2020 World Junior Championships.
Her accomplishments have shown that she is a talented skater, and she is sure to continue to have success in the future.
19. Anna Khnychenkova
Anna Yuriivna Khnychenkova is a Ukrainian figure skater who has achieved a great deal of success in the world of figure skating. In 2016, she won the Ice Star championship, a prestigious event in the figure skating world.
The following year, she went on to win the bronze medal at the International Cup of Nice, one of the most important competitions in the sport. To top it off, she also won the 2017 Ukrainian National Championship, showing her commitment and dedication to the sport.
She is undoubtedly one of the best figure skaters from Ukraine and her achievements are a testament to her skill and hard work.
20. Ihor Maliar
Ihor Maliar is a former Ukrainian pair skater who began his career in 1993, partnering with Olena Bilousivska. The pair had some success, finishing ninth at the 1994 European Championships and earning the chance to represent their country at the 1994 Winter Olympics.
At the Olympics, they placed 16th in Lillehammer. After this, Maliar changed partners, teaming up with Lilia Mashkovskaya. Together they continued to skate, although their results are unknown.
Maliar is a respected figure in the Ukrainian skating community, having achieved success despite the challenges he faced. He is a testament to the hard work and dedication that it takes to be a successful athlete.
21. Dmytro Palamarchuk
Dmytro Palamarchuk is a renowned figure skating coach and retired pair skater from Ukraine. He has achieved great success in his career, having won two World Junior titles and two Junior Grand Prix Finals with his former partner, Julia Obertas.
Palamarchuk has also had a long career as a coach and has trained many successful athletes, including Obertas. He has been credited with helping to develop a new generation of Ukrainian skaters and has been praised for his commitment and dedication to the sport.
Palamarchuk is a respected figure in the figure skating world and continues to inspire up-and-coming skaters with his accomplishments.
22. Victoria Maxiuta
Viktoriya Oleksandrivna Maksyuta, or Victoria Maxiuta, is a retired pair skater who achieved great success during her competitive career. She represented the Russian team alongside Vladislav Zhovnirski and together they won a World Junior Championship in 1996.
The following year they won the Ondrej Nepela Memorial, an international figure skating competition held in Slovakia. In 1998, Victoria and Vladislav secured a bronze medal at Skate America, an annual figure skating competition first held in 1979.
The duo’s impressive run of success was capped off in 1999 with a Gold medal at the Winter Universiade, an international multi-sport event for university athletes.
Through her achievements, Victoria Maxiuta established herself as one of the most successful pair skaters in Russian history.
23. Igor Marchenko
Igor Marchenko is a former Ukrainian pair skater who had a successful career with his partner, Evgenia Filonenko. They had multiple achievements, the most notable being their 11th-place finish at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
This was a remarkable result given that they were relatively new to the competitive figure skating scene. In addition to their Olympic appearance, Marchenko and Filonenko also won two medals at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
They earned a silver medal in 1996 and a bronze medal in 1995, establishing themselves as a formidable pair. The duo would go on to become the Ukrainian national champions in 1998, capping off their successful partnership.
Their accomplishments are a testament to their hard work and dedication to the sport, and their legacy will not be forgotten.
24. Elena Liashenko
Elena Liashenko is a highly accomplished figure skater from Ukraine. She has an impressive track record of success in both European and Grand Prix competitions.
At the European Championships, she won three medals, including two silver and one bronze, making her a three-time European medalist. On the Grand Prix series, she won an impressive nine medals, three of which were gold.
She also competed at four Olympic Games, though she did not win any medals. Liashenko’s achievements in figure skating are remarkable.
Not only has she had the opportunity to compete on some of the world’s biggest stages, but she has also come away with a collection of medals and accolades. Her impressive record is a testament to the hard work and dedication she has put into her craft.
She is an inspiration to aspiring figure skaters around the world, showing them that with determination and passion, anything is possible.
25. Viacheslav Tkachenko
Viacheslav Volodymyrovych Tkachenko is a highly accomplished figure skating coach and former pair skater from Ukraine. During the early 1990s, he and Svitlana Prystav competed for the Soviet Union and earned three World Junior medals.
This successful partnership continued as they represented Ukraine later in their career. Tkachenko began his involvement in figure skating when he was a young boy. He trained extensively, eventually becoming a formidable competitor and pairing up with Svitlana Prystav.
The two of them went on to have a successful partnership, achieving three World Junior medals. This success earned them recognition as one of the top figure skating teams in the Soviet Union and they were highly respected in the skating world.
Their career as a pair continued to thrive and they soon found themselves representing Ukraine at international competitions. During this period, Tkachenko and Prystav continued to be successful, placing in the top three at numerous competitions.
After they retired from competitive figure skating, Tkachenko chose to focus on coaching, passing on his knowledge and expertise to the next generation of figure skaters. Tkachenko’s career has been marked by excellence and dedication.
His success as a figure skater and coach has made him a well-known figure in Ukraine and around the world. He continues to be an inspiration to young skaters, showing them that hard work and dedication can lead to great success.
26. Roman Talan
Roman Serhiiovych Talan is a former competitive pair skater from Ukraine. He achieved success in his career alongside his skating partner, Kateryna Kostenko.
Together, the two became the Ukrainian national champions in 2009 and were chosen to represent Ukraine at the 2010 Winter Olympics. After this, Roman began skating with Elizaveta Usmantseva, and the two competed for the duration of 2013 and 2014.
Roman is a talented skater who has gained recognition for his skill, and his time spent skating with both Kateryna and Elizaveta has been successful and noteworthy.
27. Sofiia Holichenko
Sofiia Yuriyivna Holichenko is a talented Ukrainian pair skater. She is a two-time Ukrainian national champion and has recently achieved a major accomplishment by competing in the final segment at the 2022 European Championships.
Her skating partner, Artem Darenskyi, is also highly skilled and the two make a formidable team. Sofiia and Artem have been competing together since 2019 and have already achieved some impressive results.
In 2020, they won their first Ukrainian national championship title and followed that up in 2021 by winning the title again. They have also represented Ukraine at various international events such as the 2021 Winter Universiade and the 2021 World Junior Championships.
In 2022, Sofiia and Artem were able to take their success to the next level by participating in the final segment at the European Championships. They displayed remarkable performances throughout the competition and were able to make it to the final round.
Although they didn’t win the title, they showed great potential and will undoubtedly be one of the teams to look out for in the future. Sofiia Yuriyivna Holichenko and Artem Darenskyi are a remarkable pair of skaters.
Through hard work and dedication, they have been able to achieve great results and have become a force to be reckoned with in the world of figure skating. It will be exciting to see what they can do in the future.
28. Violetta Sierova
Violetta Ruslanivna Sierova is a Ukrainian pair skater who has achieved great success in her sport. Alongside her skating partner, Ivan Khobta, she is the bronze medalist at the 2023 World Junior Championships and a two-time silver medalist on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series.
Moving up to the senior level, the pair have continued to find success, earning the bronze medal at the 2022 Ice Challenge and becoming the 2021 Ukrainian National Champions.
This demonstrates the immense skill and talent that Violetta and Ivan possess and shows how dedicated and hard-working they are when it comes to competing.
Their achievements are a testament to the strength and determination of the Ukrainian skating duo, and they can look forward to more success in the years to come.
29. Halyna Kukhar
Halyna Vladyslavivna Kukhar, also known as Hrzhybovska, is a Ukrainian figure skating coach and former competitive skater who represented the Soviet Union. She was born Galina Vladislavovna Grzhibovskaya and has had an impressive career in the sport.
Kukhar is the 1968 Soviet champion and competed at the 1968 Winter Olympics, making her a notable figure in the skating world. Kukhar’s career in figure skating began when she was a young child.
She was coached by the legendary figure skating coach Stanislav Zhuk and trained alongside some of the finest skaters the Soviet Union had to offer. She competed in numerous competitions throughout her career, and in 1968 she became the Soviet Champion.
This was a major achievement for her, as it showed that she was a top-level skater. In addition to her accomplishments in the Soviet Union, Kukhar also went on to compete at the 1968 Winter Olympics.
At the Olympics, she placed 16th overall, which was an impressive feat considering she competed against some of the best skaters in the world. Kukhar’s legacy in the skating world is still strong today.
She is now a figure skating coach, helping to train the next generation of skaters.
She has also been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Order of the Badge of Honor from the Soviet Union in 1985. Kukhar’s contributions to the skating world have been immense, and she has undoubtedly made her mark in the sport.
She is a prime example of a determined and hardworking athlete who was able to reach the top of her field. Her accomplishments are a testament to her talent, dedication, and drive, and she is a true inspiration for aspiring skaters everywhere.
Conclusion
The best Skating players in Ukraine are some of the most talented athletes in the world. They have achieved great success both in competition and in their professional careers. They have set records, won medals, and made their mark in the skating world.
Their commitment to excellence and skill has earned them the respect of skating fans and competitors across the globe.
With the right kind of support and training, these athletes have the potential to reach even greater heights and be a source of inspiration to other aspiring skaters.
