Lia Cho
Canadian figure skater Lia Cho, who just turned 13 last month, is already making waves on the international scene. With a string of first-place finishes in every event since her novice debut—including four international titles—Cho has quickly become one of Canada’s most promising young talents. In fact, she has broken several records for the total score in her domestic events at: 2023 Skate Challenge (novice) 2024 Skate Challenge (junior) and 2025 Canadian Nationals (junior).
“It feels amazing,” Cho said with a shy smile. “I like to focus on each season and every program, especially when I get to compete internationally.”
Her rise has ignited a lively wave of predictions and “what if” conversations among figure skating fans—both in Canada and internationally. While the young skater remains focused on enjoying the sport and honing her skills, many in the community are already imagining how her career might unfold.
Triple Axels and Big Goals
Last month, the skater from Alberta competed in two events: Cranberry Open (senior women) and Cranberry Cup (advanced novice). She won both events. Her decision to enter the senior category at Cranberry Open was bold, especially given her age.
“I really wanted to try two triple Axels in a senior event,” Lia explained. “In senior, you can do the triple Axel in both the short and free programs, and I wanted that chance. Also, I have a very amazing footwork sequence that my choreographer did for me that I wanted to show at Cranberry Open.”
However, she didn’t expect the two competitions to both be held on the same day. She had to do two short programs on one day and two free skate programs the following day. She underrotated the triple Axel in the short and fell on the attempt in the long but was still thrilled to get the jump “out there.”
“It made me tired, but it was a great experience!” she said of the jam-packed schedule. “I felt excited and satisfied to compete in both events. I’m really thankful for Skate Canada for giving me all of these international competitions to compete.”
The Cranberry Open wasn’t her first time attempting the triple Axel, which has become her obsession.
“I tried my first triple Axel at the NextGen competition about three weeks before,” she said. “I felt relieved and excited to try it in front of people without butt pads! I think I could have done better, but it made me really happy.”
Hence, her goal for the season is simple but ambitious: land a clean triple Axel in competition. However, she’s also focused on refining her skating skills, spins, and transitions.
“I really want to perform to the judges and skate a little faster,” she declared.
Roots and Artistry
Cho began skating at three and her parents quickly signed her up with the Red Deer Skating Club where she enamored the coaches.
“My mom told me on my first day of skating that I did my own thing,” Cho laughed. “Apparently, I left my group and wandered off to ‘explore my own style’. And then I started to stand up by myself with a cone and kind of walked by the end of the session, but not quite skating-wise.”
Cho never gave up, but showed persistence and passion from the beginning.
“I love how artistic it is,” she described of figure skating. “I love the cool air, the sound of deep edges, and how it feels to fly across the ice when I jump.”
Six years later, Cho and her family relocated to Calgary where she began training under Scott Davis.
“I was looking for more ice time,” Cho explained. “It was after COVID, and my dad also had an opportunity to work in Calgary. I also really like Scott’s technique!”
While she misses her friends in Red Deer, she gets to visit them on occasion when she sees her grandparents who still reside there.
Training and Programs
The Canadian junior champion currently trains six days a week, skating two to three sessions a day, with Pilates and ballet to round out her schedule.
This season, her junior short program was choreographed by Yuka Sato and set to “Joli Garçon” (“Cute Boy”) by Pink Martini.
“It’s about a little girl who’s sassy and trying to grab someone’s attention,” Cho explained. “I think it matches my personality sometimes—it’s really fun to skate to!”
Her junior free program to Scheherazade Op. 35 by Rimsky-Korsakov was choreographed by Jeffrey Buttle and showcases a different side of her skating.
“The free program is really dramatic,” she offered. “Jeffrey showed me how to move my body in ways I didn’t know I could and helped me make more eye contact and facial expressions. I love how powerful it feels.”
In May, Cho participated in “The Art of Performance”—a camp created by Elladj Baldé and Michelle Dawley—as well as a Skate Canada AB/NT/NU Spring Development Camp.
“These were really helpful for me,” said Cho. “It gave me a chance to see what other coaches could show me and what other things I could work on.”
Beyond the Ice
Off the ice, Cho is a typical teenager with a love of K-pop, baking cookies, and dancing around her house to her favorite songs. She also helps cook for her family, especially breakfast on Sunday mornings. For her 13th birthday, she went on a camping trip with her family to Airdrie, Alberta.
Cho loves watching figure skating, especially South Korea’s Yuna Kim and Japan’s Mao Shimada.
“Yuna inspired me to start skating,” she said. “And I love how powerful Mao’s jumps are and how beautiful and fast her spins are. But I also admire how every skater is different—the way they perform, their jump techniques, everything. That’s what I love most about figure skating.”
The skater, who also likes to draw, has a 10-year-old brother named Lucas who plays hockey. Her mother, Ara, used to teach piano, while her father, Brian, is an accountant. Cho speaks fluent Korean, and her favorite foods are California roils and shrimp.
“I also really like candies and chocolates,” she said, grinning.
As an eighth grader at Mount Royal School, Cho’s favorite subject is math.
“I like math because there is a lot of problems going around and I like to solve problems in math—especially word problems,” she said. “This is a bit tricky, but I love tricky math problems!”
Looking Ahead
Although she won’t be eligible for Junior Worlds until 2027, Cho will be age-eligible for the Junior Grand Prix circuit next season—something she’s already dreaming about.
“If Skate Canada gives me the opportunity, I’d love to compete,” she said.
For now, her schedule includes the Fall Invitational, Alberta Sectionals, Skate Canada Challenge, and Nationals—a packed season for a skater balancing competition, growth, and school life.
Even though Cho won’t be eligible for senior ISU competitions for a few years, her current junior scores have already drawn comparisons to senior-level podium performances. Some fans predict that by the time she debuts as a senior, she could be a medal contender at Grand Prix events, especially if she maintains her artistry while adding high-value jumps. They are also drawing parallels between Cho and other rising talents around the world—particularly in Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Some speculate about future matchups at the 2027 World Junior Championships and possibly the 2034 Winter Olympics.
While all young prodigies face the challenges of growth spurts, pressure, and long-term health, Cho’s mix of composure, musicality, and raw technical potential puts her in rare company. Her rise offers a compelling blend of youthful exuberance and technical maturity, and with her training ethic, grounded perspective, and ambitious progression, she’s not just setting records—she’s laying the foundation for lasting success.
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