From now on, I will no longer represent Lithuania — I am currently in the process of transferring to the United Kingdom federation.
For 22 years, I skated under the Lithuanian flag and was always very proud of it. I am sincerely sad that I will no longer represent my country.
I am very grateful for all the experience and opportunities I had while skating for Lithuania — it was a stage that gave me invaluable experience and left me with countless beautiful memories for life. Figure skating means a lot to me — it is my entire life and an inseparable part of my identity.
This change of country is a consequence of the situation that developed with the Lithuanian Skating Federation. My and the federation’s views on my future career diverged.
A year after achieving the highest result in European Championships ever recorded by a Lithuanian female singles skater, and while being a member of the national team and one of three candidates for Olympic qualification, in the summer of 2025 I received an email stating that my preparation would no longer be funded, allegedly due to a prolonged injury rehabilitation process.
I was never provided with predefined criteria based on which athletes are granted or denied funding.
The email was written in a polite tone, repeatedly stating that I was considered an important part of the national team and was not being abandoned. However, in that same email, the decision to terminate funding was explained by saying that it was important to send as many skaters as possible to the Olympic Games, and that priority during this important period would be given to other single skaters, the development of a pair, and the younger generation — who would receive the funding.
Meanwhile, I was simply thanked for my past contributions to Lithuanian figure skating.
At that time, my official ISU results (national records) were — and still are — the highest among Lithuanian female singles skaters.
I am very grateful for the significant financial support I received from the public through the GoFundMe platform — at that time it helped me stay in the sport. However, according to the federation, my appeal to the public was inappropriate and showed disrespect and ingratitude toward the federation, even though I did not mention how the decision was actually explained to me or refer to the federation at all.
Since then, I have experienced constant emotional pressure — including humiliating and disrespectful behavior and communication from the federation.
Although the decision to cut funding was not explained to me based on sporting principles, I accepted it calmly and found ways to continue my career by covering expenses myself. However, all my attempts to continue my career during this period were repeatedly hindered by the federation’s actions and communication, from which I clearly understood more than once that my career was considered to be ending and not worthy of further support — not only financially but also morally.
For a long time, I trained every day while constantly feeling that my work on the ice would not be the determining factor in decision-making, and realizing that my sporting career within this system no longer had a future.
Training and competing under such circumstances was psychologically difficult, because I knew my path in this sport was far from over, but constant emotional strain drained all my strength, energy, and love for what I do.
I always communicated with the federation respectfully — I understand that decisions were made according to its strategy and priorities. I value the entire period during which I worked with the Lithuanian Skating Federation and all the opportunities I was given.
Although the past few years have been difficult, I still have the motivation to continue my career because I love what I do. I know I am still improving as an athlete and have potential that I want to realize.
I am certain that all the challenges of this period have made me stronger both as an athlete and as a person.
I am very happy that this situation, which could have ended my sporting career, has actually opened new opportunities and doors to a new stage in my life, where I will be able to continue doing what I love most and pursue my sporting path.
I have been living, training, and working as a skating coach in Great Britain for almost 8 years. I am glad to have found the opportunity to continue my career in a country where I can grow as an athlete in a safe environment.
I love Lithuania very much, and although I will no longer skate under its flag, I will always remain a Lithuanian athlete who cares deeply about the future of Lithuanian figure skating.
In explaining my decision to change federations, I have shared only a small part of my story, but I believe it may contribute to the changes that Lithuanian skaters deserve.
Every athlete deserves to grow in an environment where they are respected and valued.
I wish all Lithuanian skaters the greatest success!
As this stage of my career comes to an end, I would sincerely like to thank all the coaches and specialists who worked with me and believed in me.
I would also like to express special and heartfelt thanks to the former long-time president of the Lithuanian Skating Federation, Lilija Vanagienė, with whom I went through many different stages over this long period — both beautiful and difficult. Her support over many years was very important in my sporting journey and significantly contributed to my ability to pursue the highest sporting goals. I am also extremely grateful for her moral support and belief in me in recent years — it helped me move forward and not give up.
I sincerely thank everyone who supports me — your belief in me gives me strength to keep going.
See you on the ice!
The statements made in this post are based on evidence I possess, including official communication
to Great Britain 
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Wishing Yuma well. I totally hope he finds new motivation and inspiration. He had very good programs this season, just with unexpected hiccoughs at times.
is changing clubs to Follo and will be starting a slow transition into pairs skating. Very excited for this and hope she will have success and find herself a partner. Mark Magyar, former pair skater for Hungary is coach at the club for a while, on the 2nd slide there is a video of Kaia trying a throw with Mark and it´s looking pretty promising.
