Russian figure skater Lev Lazarev has arrived in Bangkok to compete in the third stage of the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating for the 2026/27 season.
The reigning Russian junior champion confirmed his arrival in Thailand ahead of the three-day international tournament, which will take place in Bangkok from September 3 to 5.
Writing on his official Telegram channel, Lazarev told followers that he had landed safely in Bangkok, received official event t-shirts, and completed his photo shoot for his competition accreditation pass.
Roster of Neutral Competitors in Bangkok
Lazarev is set to compete in Thailand under individual neutral status, an official entry designation approved by the International Skating Union (ISU). Under ISU rules governing neutral participation, eligible Russian athletes compete without national flags, anthems, or federation emblems.
Several other young Russian figure skaters are listed alongside Lazarev to compete under neutral status at the Bangkok event. The roster of entries includes women's singles skater Sofia Dzepka, as well as the ice dance team of Maria Fefelova and Artem Valov.
In addition to the main entries, figure skaters Arseny Fedotov and Viktoria Streltsova have been named as official substitutes for the event in Bangkok.
The International Skating Union, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, is the international governing body for competitive figure skating. Its Junior Grand Prix series provides a global platform for elite young competitors across singles, pairs, and ice dance disciplines.
Dominant Opening Win in Xi'an
The event in Bangkok marks Lazarev's second appearance on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit for the current season.
In late August, the teenage skater earned a decisive victory at the opening stage of the series in Xi'an, China, taking first place with an impressive total score of 250.21 points.
Lazarev's winning performance in China was highlighted by an extraordinary free program in which he successfully executed four quadruple jumps. Quadruple jumps represent the highest technical difficulty in figure skating, requiring four complete aerial revolutions before landing cleanly on a single blade.
Standard ISU figure skating competitions consist of two distinct segments: a short program, which requires specific technical elements, and a free program, which allows skaters maximum flexibility to present high-value jumps and choreography. Landing four quads in a single free program places Lazarev among the most technically formidable junior skaters in the world.
Understanding the ISU Junior Grand Prix Circuit
The ISU Junior Grand Prix is an annual series of premier international events designed for young figure skaters aged 13 to 19. Organized across multiple host cities during the autumn season, the circuit allows promising athletes to gain international competition experience while earning qualification points.
Skaters are awarded points based on their final standings at each Grand Prix stage. At the end of the regular season, the top six point earners in each discipline qualify for the prestigious Junior Grand Prix Final, held alongside the senior Grand Prix Final.
Having secured maximum qualification points from his victory in Xi'an, Lazarev will look to build on his momentum when competition officially begins in Bangkok on September 3.
