The Czech figure skater **[Georgiy Reshtenko](https://www.example.com/tags/46058-georgij-reshtenko)** shared his thoughts on his country’s first European Championship medal in many years. The athlete secured a bronze medal at the tournament in Sheffield.

**– For the Czech Republic, this is indeed the first medal at the European Championships in a long time. What was the reaction from the federation?**
– We all had tears in our eyes there. The next World Championship will be held in Prague, and the federation is currently making significant efforts to create favorable conditions for the athletes. Everyone is eager for this event to be a success, with all tickets sold out. I believe that there couldn’t be better promotion for the World Championship than this result. It was a very emotional and thrilling moment for everyone.

**– From 23rd place last year to third in 2026. In brief, what are the main reasons for this breakthrough?**
– Last year, I struggled to concentrate on the process and didn’t train effectively. This summer, I took a step back and started fresh. I discussed with my coaches my plans for China in September. We prepared well, or so it seemed… It’s unfortunate that it didn’t work out, but in a way, everything had been building up. I had set my programs late last year and didn’t prepare adequately over the summer. I thought I had more time, but it turned out that I didn’t. I approached each competition thinking that the next one would go well, but instead, the situation worsened.

I couldn’t overcome that mental hurdle. After I performed at the European Championship, all I could think about was the next season — I felt like I had missed my chance.

**– If someone had told you a year ago, right after the European Championship, that you would become a medalist in 2026, would you have believed it?**
– I would have probably called them crazy, — Reshtenko stated in an interview with “Championat” correspondent Rustam Imamov.