In the realm of international figure skating, certain names stand out not just for their athletic excellence but also for the stories they carry – narratives of perseverance, transformation, and cultural pride. Luka Berulava is one such figure skater whose career encapsulates the emergence of a small nation onto the world’s biggest stages. Born on 27 November 2002 in Moscow, Russia, Berulava has become one of the most compelling pair skaters of his generation, representing Georgia and propelling that nation into uncharted competitive territory.
Early Life and Introduction to Skating
Berulava’s journey toward skating excellence began early. Born to Georgian parents who had moved to Moscow during a period of regional turmoil, he grew up in a bilingual environment where the Georgian language and identity remained deeply rooted, even amid life in Russia. Though he first stepped onto the ice as a child, his trajectory toward elite athletics was neither straightforward nor predestined – it was shaped by hard work, strategic decisions, and a willingness to pursue opportunity wherever it appeared.
Standing 1.86 meters tall, Berulava possesses not only the physical stature that is advantageous in pair skating – a discipline that demands strength, balance, and aerial precision – but also the mental resilience necessary to compete at the sport’s highest levels. His early promise was quickly recognized, and by adolescence he was already competing internationally.
The Journey Through Partnerships
Figure skating pairs thrive on the unique chemistry between partners, requiring a blend of trust, timing, and technical harmony. Luka Berulava’s career underscores the importance of finding that right partnership.
His first notable success came with partner Alina Butaeva at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne, where the pair won a bronze medal in the pairs event and contributed to a gold medal in the team event. These early accolades foreshadowed Berulava’s rising star in a sport dominated by long‑standing Russian and North American pair teams.
Following this, his next partnership with Karina Safina elevated him further into the spotlight. Their synergy was especially significant for Georgia, a nation without a deeply ingrained figure skating tradition. Safina and Berulava broke new ground for Georgian skating, becoming the first Georgians to medal on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit and winning the World Junior Figure Skating Championships in 2022 — a landmark achievement for Georgian sport.
They translated that junior success into senior competition: a bronze medal at the 2021 CS Nebelhorn Trophy helped Georgia secure an Olympic spot, and the duo went on to represent Georgia at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. While they did not medal there, their presence alone was historic and inspirational.
A New Era: Anastasiia Metelkina and a Rising Dynasty
Perhaps the most transformative chapter in Berulava’s career began in the spring of 2023, when he teamed up with Anastasiia Metelkina. From the outset, their partnership was one of ambition and rapid ascension.
They became known for their compelling athleticism, dramatic lifts, and a fearlessness that translated into results. At the 2024 ISU European Championships, they secured a silver medal — a major milestone that signaled their arrival among Europe’s elite pairs. In the same period, they garnered medals on the ISU Grand Prix circuit and won the Grand Prix Final bronze in the 2024–25 season, demonstrating versatility across both short and free skating programs.
Significantly, Metelkina and Berulava also dominated at the junior level, winning back‑to‑back ISU World Junior Championship titles in 2024 and 2025. Their command in junior competition was not just a testament to raw talent but also an indicator of strategic progression: mastering foundational elements before fully transitioning to senior competition.
The 2025–26 Season: Momentum and Breakthrough
The 2025–26 season marked a definitive turning point, as Metelkina and Berulava translated their junior dominance into senior triumph. They began with a strong showing on the Challenger Series and then stepped onto the Grand Prix stage with confidence and purpose. They captured gold at the 2025 Cup of China and silver at Skate America, earning them a qualification to the prestigious Grand Prix Final — a rare feat for any pair, much less one representing a country with little figure skating infrastructure.
Although they finished fourth at the Grand Prix Final, the experience galvanized their readiness for subsequent championships. In January 2026, the duo achieved an historic milestone by winning the European Figure Skating Championships in Sheffield, England — Georgia’s first European gold medal in pairs figure skating. Their performance was both technically sound and artistically compelling, showcasing side‑by-side triple Salchows and powerful lifts that captivated audiences and judges alike.
The victory was not just a personal triumph but a cultural moment for Georgia: a small winter‑sports nation making a seismic impact on a European stage traditionally dominated by figure skating powerhouses. It was a testament to years of dedication, incremental breakthroughs, and a deep belief that Georgian athletes could stand toe‑to‑toe with the world’s best.
The Pinnacle: Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
The crescendo of Berulava’s skating career arrived at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina d’Ampezzo. In one of the most hotly contested pairs events in Olympic history, Metelkina and Berulava delivered performances that combined technical excellence with emotional resonance.
Their short program laid a strong foundation, and their free skate was executed with poise under immense pressure. At the end of the competition, they had amassed 221.75 points, earning them the silver medal behind Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, who took gold with a world‑record score. Metelkina‑Berulava’s silver was more than a medal — it was Georgia’s first ever Winter Olympic medal in the history of the Games.
In press interviews after their podium moment, Berulava called it “the best day of his life,” emphasizing not just the personal achievement but the significance it held for his country. For Georgia, a nation with limited winter sports success, this Olympic medal marked a leap in global recognition and a new chapter in national sporting identity.
Style, Technique, and Artistic Growth
What distinguishes Berulava – and his partnership with Metelkina – is their particular blend of athletic daring and artistic ambition. Their choice of music and choreographic themes, from expressive classical pieces to nuanced contemporary scores, showcases a commitment to narrative performance as much as technical precision. Their short program to “Bolero” and free skate programs such as Le discours d’Arthur reflect a maturity beyond their years and a deep understanding of the emotional arc of competition.
Technical commentators, however, highlight areas of continued growth. Some analysts have pointed to inconsistencies in footwork or less conventional lift technique – aspects that edge skaters refine over time as they adapt to increasing competition demands. Such critiques underscore the appeal and challenge of pair skating: it is as much about continuous evolution as it is about celebration of achievement.
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