The figure skating community has celebrated the standout achievements of the 2025/26 season at the ISU Figure Skating Awards 2026 in Prague. The awards honored the performances, creativity and dedication that defined a remarkable year on the ice, and recognized the coaches, choreographers and costume designers whose work brought the artistry of the sport to life. 

Winners of the 2026 ISU Figure Skating Awards edition, that took place in Prague (CZE) © ISU

Following more than 93,000 votes cast by fans worldwide, a distinguished jury of figure skating experts helped to determine the winners of the Most Entertaining Program, Best Costume, Best Coach and Best Choreographer categories.

The evening was hosted by Olympic medalists Ashley Wagner and Ben Agosto, whose expertise and deep connection to the sport set the tone for a memorable celebration of the season’s achievements.

The 2026 ISU Figure Skating World Champions were also recognized for their performances: 

• Women: Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) 
• Men: Ilia Malinin (USA)
• Pairs: Minerva Fabienne Hase / Nikita Volodin (GER) 
• Ice Dance: Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Guillaume Cizeron (FRA)

2026 World Figure Skating Champions celebrating at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

Speaking at the awards ceremony, ISU President Jae Youl Kim said: “Congratulations on an incredible season of Figure Skating, a season where your stories have reached more people than ever before. Your performances, your sportsmanship, and the values of your actions have inspired new fans and brought new followers to the sport. For the fans, you are inspiration, but for the ISU, you are motivation.”

Most Entertaining Program - Yuma Kagiyama (JPN)

Yuma Kagiyama (JPN), winner of the Most Entertaining Program, at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

Yuma Kagiyama's Men's Short Program to I Wish (Figure Skating Remix) the Stevie Wonder classic performed in a bespoke arrangement by pianist Hayato Sumino and guitarist Marcin Patrzalek, was rewarded for its enchanting and playful character. Choreographed by Lori Nichol and Carolina Kostner, the program combined the highest technical difficulties with a sense of lightness and effortless ease that captivated audiences throughout the season.

Yuma Kagiyama (JPN), winner of the Most Entertaining Program, at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

Accepting the award, Kagiyama said: “I am really honored to have been chosen but I would like to emphasize that this is not about a program that is better than the others. I love every one of my competitors’ programs, and everybody’s program is special.”

Best Costume - Ilia Malinin (USA) 

Ilia Malinin (USA), winner of the Best Costume, at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

A figure skating costume is an essential extension of the performer, enhancing a program’s character, music, and storytelling while reflecting the skater’s individuality and style.

Ilia Malinin (USA), winner of the Best Costume, at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

Ilia Malinin's Free Skating costume, designed by Satomi Ito, was recognized for its striking originality and direct connection to the program's artistic vision. For this category, the Jury was supported by world-renowned haute couture icon Vera Wang.

Commenting on his award Malinin said: “Honestly, I have no words, I didn’t realize I was going to win for the best costume. There are so many beautiful costumes out there, so many unique designs and I think that’s what is so special about figure skating.” 

Best Newcomer - Ami Nakai (JPN)

Ami Nakai (JPN), winner of the Best Newcomer, at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

The Best Newcomer award was selected exclusively by the ISU Figure Skating Awards Jury and recognizes an athlete who has made an outstanding impact in their first international season.

Ami Nakai (JPN), winner of the Best Newcomer, at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

Ami Nakai delivered an incredible 2025/26 senior-level debut season, highlighted by a bronze medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. She also claimed silver at the Four Continents Championships and the Grand Prix Final, alongside a victory at the Grand Prix de France, demonstrating remarkable consistency and maturity beyond her years.

Nakai’s performances combined technical ability with expressive depth, marking the arrival of a remarkable new talent in Women’s Single Skating. 

“In my senior debut season, I was able to go to the Olympics and the World Championships” said Nakai. “Next season I want to challenge myself again to be able to finish with a smile on my face like I did this season.”

Skaters of the Year - Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron (FRA)

Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron (FRA), Skaters of the Year, at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

The Skaters of the Year award recognizes the most successful competitive season among Single Skaters, Pairs, or Ice Dance couples, based on a points system rewarding podium finishes at ISU Grand Prix events, ISU Figure Skating World Championships, and the Olympic Winter Games.

Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron (FRA), Skaters of the Year, at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

In their first season together, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron delivered an exceptional campaign, highlighted by gold at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games and the ISU Figure Skating World Championships in Prague. They also secured gold medals at the Grand Prix de France and the Finlandia Trophy, along with a silver medal at the Grand Prix Final in Nagoya.

Their partnership stood out for their refined skating skills, seamless unison and distinctive style, combining technical precision with expressive choreography.

Commenting on their award, Fournier Beaudry said: “It was really unexpected - as much as us skating together - but life brought us together and we took the risk. It was a beautiful risk, and we enjoyed training together every day.” 

Best Coach – Phillip DiGuglielmo (USA)

Philip DiGuglielmo (USA), winner of the Best Coach, at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

Behind every great skater stands a great coach, someone who combines technical expertise with the ability to inspire, challenge and guide an athlete to realize their full potential. 

Phillip DiGuglielmo demonstrated exactly these qualities this season, guiding Alysa Liu through a remarkable comeback to claim the gold medal at the ISU Grand Prix Final and the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

Philip DiGuglielmo (USA), winner of the Best Coach, at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

Addressing the audience, DiGuglielmo said: “Let’s talk about this girl Alysa Liu, for a second. She not only won the Olympics, it was the way in which she won the Olympics with her joy, her authenticity, and with her chaos.” 

Best Choreographer – Benoît Richaud (FRA)

Benoit Richaud (FRA), winner of the Best Choreographer, at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

The choreographer is the mastermind of movement, the creative force who shapes a program from music and motion into a story that resonates with audiences worldwide. 

Benoit Richaud (FRA), winner of the Best Choreographer, at the ISU Figure Skating Awards Ceremony in Prague (CZE) © ISU

This season, Benoît Richaud demonstrated that vision across numerous skaters from different ISU Members he worked with, crafting program that were as technically demanding as they were artistically compelling. Among others, he has worked this season with three-time World Champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN), World Pairs Champions Minerva Fabienne Hase/Nikita Volodin (GER), Olympic and World Pairs silver medalists Anastasiia Metelkina/Luka Berulava (GEO), World bronze medalists Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) and World bronze medalists Emilea Zingas/Vadym Kolesnik (USA) as well as with 2024 World bronze medalist Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA). 

Richaud previously won the Best Choreographer award in 2024, and this latest recognition confirms his place among the sport's most influential creative voices.

Speaking at the ceremony Richaud said: “I come from a very small village in the south of France where there is nothing. We play rugby, we play soccer; there is no figure skating. But this voice was still inside me to do figure skating, to create, to try something and to take risks.”