Lia Cho achieved a remarkable score that initially surprised onlookers during the 2026 Canadian figure skating championships. The young figure skating talent from Calgary, aged 13, secured the gold medal in the junior women’s category with an impressive total of 199.60 points. This score surpassed her previous Canadian junior women’s record of 188.79 points set at the national competition in Laval, Quebec, the year before.
Reflecting on her performance, Cho expressed her astonishment at the high score, mentioning that it was the highest she had ever attained. She recounted a moment of confusion due to the language barrier, as she couldn’t understand the French announcements initially and sought confirmation from her coach in English. Upon realizing the magnitude of her achievement, she was thrilled by the outcome.
During her flawless performance at Centre Slush Puppie, Cho executed seven triple jumps, outshining Victoria Barakhtina who secured the silver medal with 171.93 points, and Quinn Startek who claimed the bronze with 157.93 points. Trained by coach Scott Davis at The Glencoe Club, Cho’s exceptional skills and dedication have propelled her towards eligibility for the world junior championships in 2027.
In the junior men’s competition, Parker Heiderich from Calgary clinched the gold medal with a score of 188.16 points, outperforming William Chan and James Cha who took home the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Additionally, Layla Veillon and Alexander Brandys triumphed in the junior ice dance category, scoring 170.33 points.
The 2026 Canadian figure skating championships showcased the remarkable talents of young skaters, with Lia Cho standing out as a rising star in the sport.
