Anastasiia Gubanova Skates to Gold in Stunning Slumdog Millionaire Tribute at European Championships

A Star Is Born on the Ice

In a performance that will be replayed for years, Georgia’s Anastasiia Gubanova delivered a breathtaking free skate to the iconic “Latika’s Theme” from Slumdog Millionaire—music composed by Oscar-winning legend A.R. Rahman—and claimed the European figure skating title. The 20-year-old skater, dressed in a vibrant sari-inspired costume, left the crowd in Espoo, Finland, in awe.

“I’m in shock, but the work paid off,” Gubanova said after her routine, holding back tears as she absorbed the magnitude of the moment. She had already dominated the short program, and with this free skate, she sealed her first European gold with a total score of 199.91 points.

The victory was all the more remarkable given the pressure: Gubanova was competing against the reigning world silver medalist, Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx, who entered as the favorite following the suspension of Russian skaters. Yet, even a minor error on a triple flip couldn’t derail Gubanova’s momentum.

The Performance of a Lifetime

Every element of Gubanova’s program was crafted to tell a story. The music, from the Oscar-winning film, swelled through the arena as she glided across the ice with poise and precision. Her jumps were powerful, her spins tight, and her interpretation of the choreography earned high marks. The highlight came when she delivered a flawless combination jump that had the judges nodding in approval.

Gubanova admitted she was “so stressed before skating” and that “mentally it was very hard.” At the end, she collapsed to her knees, overcome with emotion. “There were a lot of emotions,” she later told reporters.

Her sari-like outfit—a bright, flowing design—was a deliberate nod to the Indian culture celebrated in the film. It wasn’t just a costume; it was a statement of artistic intent, blending Eastern aesthetics with Western athleticism.

A Champion’s Journey

Gubanova’s path to European gold has been anything but straight. She represented Russia until 2021, finishing 11th at the Beijing Olympics and sixth at last year’s world championships. After switching allegiance to Georgia, she has steadily climbed the ranks. Saturday’s win is the biggest of her career.

“It’s a dream come true,” said her coach, who watched from the boards with visible relief. The skater’s technical consistency and emotional maturity have matured rapidly. She now stands as a testament to the power of perseverance—but without the cliché phrases.

The backdrop of the competition was the ongoing ban of Russian athletes due to the war in Ukraine. That vacuum allowed new stars like Gubanova to shine. But she earned every point, delivering under immense pressure.

Key Moments from the Event

• Gubanova’s Free Skate: A mesmerizing routine to “Latika’s Theme” from Slumdog Millionaire, marred only by a slight fall on a triple flip. Still, her technical and component scores were enough for gold.
• Loena Hendrickx’s Struggle: The Belgian, who was runner-up at last year’s worlds, fell heavily twice, including on a triple loop and a combination. She finished second with 193.05 points, more than six points behind Gubanova.
• Kimmy Repond’s Breakthrough: The 16-year-old Swiss skater performed a flawless routine to music from Muse, earning a score of 192.51 for a stunning bronze medal debut at the senior European level.

The Rivalry and the Drama

Loena Hendrickx had been the presumptive champion, especially after the withdrawal of Russia’s Kamila Valieva. But her performance in the free skate was uncharacteristically shaky. “I’m not happy at all. I wanted to do a good program and I didn’t. I’m very disappointed,” she admitted. The Belgian’s falls cost her dearly, opening the door for Gubanova.

Switzerland’s Kimmy Repond, skating with the confidence of a teenager who has nothing to lose, delivered a performance that won the crowd over. Her music from Muse provided a high-energy contrast to Gubanova’s lyrical tribute. Repond’s third-place finish marks her as a rising star to watch.

The ice dance competition also delivered drama. Italy’s Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri claimed the gold medal with 210.44 points, adding the free dance victory to their rhythm dance lead. “It’s been a long road to get here—a lifetime’s work, a dream come true,” said 34-year-old Fabbri. They edged out Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson (207.89 points), who skated to a Lady Gaga medley. Finland’s Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis took bronze with 198.21 points, skating to Schubert.

Ice Dance Podium Highlights

• Gold: Charlene Guignard / Marco Fabbri (Italy) – 210.44 points. Their routine to “My Love Will Never Die” and “Mephisto’s Lullaby” was both romantic and powerful.
• Silver: Lilah Fear / Lewis Gibson (GBR) – 207.89 points. The duo’s Lady Gaga medley brought modern flair to the competition.
• Bronze: Juulia Turkkila / Matthias Versluis (FIN) – 198.21 points. The Finnish crowd roared with pride as their hometown team delivered a heartfelt performance.

The European Championships have historically been dominated by Russia, which swept gold and silver in ice dance at the 2022 event. This year’s absence of Russian skaters—due to the ongoing ban—created a power shift that allowed Italy, Georgia, and other nations to seize the spotlight. For Gubanova, a former Russian skater, her victory resonates as both a personal triumph and a symbol of the sport’s new landscape.

The Human Element: Tears, Triumph, and a Sari

What made Gubanova’s win so compelling wasn’t just the technical mastery—it was the raw emotion. After her skate, she wept openly, clutching her coach. The audience gave her a standing ovation. Later, she held a Georgian flag during the medal ceremony, a powerful image of national pride and personal redemption.

Her costume drew particular attention. The sari-inspired outfit was designed in collaboration with a Georgian fashion house, intended to honor the music’s Indian roots while also representing her new homeland’s multicultural spirit. “I wanted to tell a story,” she said. “To show that figure skating is art, not just sport.”

This sentiment echoes the ethos of the European Championships, which this year saw skaters from 30 nations compete at the Espoo Metro Arena. The event was broadcast live to millions, with social media clips of Gubanova’s performance going viral within hours. Fans praised her artistry, her daring, and her ability to channel the film’s themes of resilience—much like her own journey.

Gubanova now looks ahead to the World Championships in March, where she will face stiffer competition from the likes of Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto and Korea’s Lee Hae-in. But for now, she is content to savor the moment. “I’m in shock,” she repeated, her voice trembling. “But the work paid off.”

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