**Ari Zakaryan**, a producer of ice shows and the agent of American figure skater **Ilia Malinin**, shared his thoughts on who he considers to be the breakout star of the 2026 Russian Figure Skating Championships.

**– Who emerged as the standout star of the Russian Championships?**
— The most impressive performer among the women was Maria Zakharova. After not competing for two and a half years due to an injury, she is now showcasing modern, Western-style skating. I see a promising future for her.

I’d also like to mention [Alisa] Dvoeglaova, who has great technical potential. Nelubova, with her triple axel, also deserves recognition. Among the men, I’d highlight Vetlugin for his technique and the cleanliness of his performance. It was a pleasure to watch him, — Zakaryan told Metaratings.