Vasiļjevs to sit out season, but remains a role model in figure skating
Deniss Vasiļjevs will miss competitions for the first time in his senior career during the upcoming season, though his influence on the sport endures. Ukrainian Olympian Kirilo Marsak has called the Daugavpils native an example for other skaters.
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Latvian figure skater Deniss Vasiļjevs will not compete during the upcoming 2026/27 season, marking the first time in his senior career that he skips a competitive season. The decision comes after years in which the Daugavpils-born athlete became one of Latvia's most recognizable sporting figures.
Vasiļjevs' contribution to Latvian sport is difficult to sum up briefly — his achievements and presence in international competitions have left a mark not only at home but also on the wider world of figure skating.
Praise from a fellow athlete
In an interview with TVNET+, Ukrainian Olympic figure skater Kirilo Marsak spoke highly of Vasiļjevs, describing him as an example for other skaters to follow. Marsak's comments suggest that Vasiļjevs' influence extends well beyond Latvia's borders and is recognized by athletes from other countries as well.
While the source material does not detail the reasons behind Vasiļjevs' upcoming absence or his future plans, it is clear his break from competition will be felt across both the Latvian and international figure skating scenes.
