Lia Cho’s exceptional performance at the 2026 Canadian figure skating championships left spectators in awe as she clinched the gold medal by setting a new Canadian junior women’s record. The 13-year-old prodigy from Calgary achieved a remarkable score of 199.60 points, surpassing her previous record of 188.79 points established at last year’s nationals in Laval, Quebec.
Reflecting on her achievement, Cho expressed her surprise at the high score, noting that it was the best she had ever received. She initially struggled to comprehend the score as it was announced in French, but upon hearing the English translation, she was amazed by the achievement.
During the competition, Cho showcased her prowess by successfully landing seven triple jumps at Centre Slush Puppie, securing victory over Victoria Barakhtina, who claimed the silver medal with 171.93 points, and Quinn Startek, who settled for bronze with 157.93 points. Skating under the guidance of coach Scott Davis at The Glencoe Club, Cho’s remarkable performance at nationals in 2024 paved the way for her eligibility to compete in the world junior championships in 2027.
In the junior men’s category, Parker Heiderich of Calgary took the top spot with a score of 188.16 points, outshining William Chan and James Cha, who secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Layla Veillon and Alexander Brandys also shone in the junior ice dance segment, clinching the gold medal with a score of 170.33 points.