Sofia Val & Asaf Kazimov | Page 8 | Golden Skate

Sofia Val & Asaf Kazimov

European Championships Short Dance: Results; Protocols

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INQXs7mMHSg

Sofía and Asaf finished 15th out of 28 in the Short Dance, with a score of 67.11.

Here is what I wrote in the competition thread during the Warm-Up:

CaroLiza_fan

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Rhythm Dance'

Sofía and Asaf were full of energy when they were coming in. Sofía was positively bouncing!

Saw them briefly in the foreground of the hoot when the partnership before them were being focussed on.

When it was their turn, they were doing their Twizzles. And to be honest, I think they were going too hard at them. It looked very frantic.

I hope they calm it down a bit for the actual programme.

The win at the Sofia Trophy at the weekend will give them a boost in confidence, but I hope it hasn't taken it out of them.

We'll find out soon.

CaroLiza_fan
  • Like

Here is what I wrote when they were being introduced:

CaroLiza_fan

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Rhythm Dance'

And now for my second set of kids.

Winners of the Sofia Trophy at the weekend.

:cheer: ALL THE BEST SOFÍA AND ASAF!!! :cheer:

CaroLiza_fan
  • Like

And here is what I wrote about their programme:

CaroLiza_fan

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Rhythm Dance'

1-2-3

Nearly a collision at the end of the Twizzles! :eek:

I did worry after seeing the Twizzles during the Warm-Up.

Thankfully the rest of it was great!

They seemed happy enough when they finished.

Actually, seeing the Twizzles from a different camera in the replays, they weren't as close as they appeared on the original camera.

Sara and Kirill both sitting with them. Sara looks happy. Kirill looks half asleep.

They go into the lead.

:cheer: WELL DONE SOFÍA AND ASAF!!! :cheer:

CaroLiza_fan
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My Norwegian friend @norwegianfairytale pointed out something just before they started:

norwegianfairytale

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Rhythm Dance'

Now we have two Ricky Martin skate offs back to back
  • Haha
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Not for the first time this season, and it certainly won't be the last!

And then @EdgeCall referred to it as well:

E

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Rhythm Dance'

Here we go again ... 😬
  • Haha

@norwegianfairytale made the next two comments:

norwegianfairytale

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Rhythm Dance'

And we have our first pattern step 3! :clap: :clap:
  • Like

norwegianfairytale

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Rhythm Dance'

A very strong skate from them indeed
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And Polish member @Ares was also impressed with the Pattern Step:

Ares

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Rhythm Dance'

Lvl 3 for Val/Asimov pattern step wow 😱 And they already have a Q
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After the competition had finished, I posted:

CaroLiza_fan

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Rhythm Dance'

Delighted that Phebe BEKKER / James HERNANDEZ (GBR) in 11th and Sofía VAL / Asaf KAZIMOV (ESP) in 15th qualified for the Free.

Gutted that Angelina KUDRYAVTSEVA / Ilia KARANKEVICH (CYP) in 22nd missed out. By just 1.14 points. :drama:

CaroLiza_fan
  • Cry
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Sofía and Asaf are currently 0.63 points behind 14th position, Mariia IGNATEVA / Danijil Leonyidovics SZEMKO (HUN), and 2.12 points ahead of 16th position, Yuka ORIHARA / Juho PIRINEN (FIN). Sofía and Asaf are the bottom partnership in a group of 4 partnerships covered by 1.78 points, stretching up to Milla Ruud REITAN / Nikolaj MAJOROV (SWE) in 12th position.

Sofía and Asaf are in a good position. They are at the bottom of a tight group and have some breathing space behind them. If they have a good Free Dance, there is a good chance that they can get to the top of the group. But, they have to be very careful not to make any mistakes, because beyond the gap behind them is another tight group comprising the rest of the Free Dance field!

So, let's hope Sofía and Asaf can have a good Free Dance and climb!

:cheer: WELL DONE!!! :cheer:


The Senior Free Dance is due to start at 18:30:00 GMT (19:30:00 CET / 21:30:00 MSK). So 10 hours from now.

Sofía and Asaf will be the 6th partnership to start. So, first partnership to go in Group 2.

The Group 2 Warm-Up is due to start at 19:15:55 GMT (20:15:55 CET / 21:15:55 MSK). So 10h 45m from now.

Sofía and Asaf are due to start at 19:22:40 GMT (20:22:40 CET / 21:22:40 MSK). So 10h 52m from now.

But, those times may change if somebody that is due on before them withdraws.

More information in the event forum:
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/forums/1068

Hope this helps

:cheer: ALL THE BEST!!! :cheer:

CaroLiza_fan
 
European Championships Senior Free Dance: Results; Protocols
European Championships Senior Ice Dance: Results

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHNCLd3Aors

Sofía and Asaf finished 14th out of 20 in the FD, with a score of 106.62. This meant that they climbed to 14th position overall, with a score of 173.73.

Here is what I wrote in the competition thread during the Warm-Up:

CaroLiza_fan

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Free Dance'

Sofía and Asaf come running in holding hands and waving with their spare hands.

They are already getting down to it right from the start of the Warm-Up.

We didn't actually see much of them after that.

Just talking to their coaches and then going for a lap in the last minute.

But here they are.

:cheer: ALL THE BEST SOFÍA AND ASAF!!! :cheer:

CaroLiza_fan
  • Like

And here is what I wrote about the programme:

CaroLiza_fan

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Free Dance'

Lovely close-up of Sofía at the start.

Second "Exogenesis" of the competition.

I always have this problem during this programme. I can't take my eyes off them to type.

Twizzles were beautiful.

Ach. Asaf had a stumble next to the boards around the half way mark when they were supposed to be synchronised.

It's a pity they cut to the coaches just after they finished, because I wanted to see Sofía and Asaf's reactions.

Big smiles from Sara, Sofía, and Asaf. Kirill still looks half asleep.

They go into 2nd position in both the FS and overall.

:cheer: WELL DONE SOFÍA AND ASAF!!!...
  • Like

The comments started with a lot of complaints from people getting fed up with hearing Muse's "Exogenesis Symphony". So, I will just skip over them, and get straight to the comments about the skating.

First up was @GGFan, who hadn't seen them before, but was really impressed:

G

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Free Dance'

Wow, I've never watched this second Spanish team and I'm so impressed. Love their matching lines. They also turn really fast. I'm buying what they're selling. I'll definitely be looking out for them this next quad.
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A member who was in the arena said:

Ichatdelune

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Free Dance'

Not that bad, but I slightly liked the Germans better, although both programs were standard Exogenesis and therefore plain
  • Like

My fellow British member @FlossieH liked the skating, but was fed up with the music:

F

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Free Dance'

That was a lovely skate, but I really have had enough of that music for the moment.
  • Like
  • Haha

There were a few comments about local Ice Dancer Molly Lanaghan, who was one of the hosts at the event. And Canadian member @4everchan added a comment about how her trans-Atlantic accent sounded when she was talking about Sofía and Asaf during the Warm-Up:

4everchan

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Free Dance'

from Speen :).
I love her accent LOL
  • Haha

Getting back to the skating, and @IceDancingQueen commented:

I

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Free Dance'

Some interesting lifts and choreo from the Spaniards. I’m glad Sofia finally seems to have a partner she can work well with. Watching some of these younger teams makes me le sigh at some of the older teams staying on for so long. It’s quite nice to see new ideas and new moves.
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To which @4everchan replied:

4everchan

Post in thread '2026 European Championships Free Dance'

IceDancingQueen said:
Some interesting lifts and choreo from the Spaniards. I’m glad Sofia finally seems to have a partner she can work well with. Watching some of these younger teams makes me le sigh at some of the older teams staying on for so long. It’s quite nice to see new ideas and new moves.
Click to expand...
and he has beautiful lines
  • Like

Looking at the Protocols, there were no issues at all. The GOE ranged from +1.13 for the sixth element, the Dance Spin, to +3.57 for the opening element, the Stationary Lift-Roller Lift. And because the opening element already had the highest Base Value of the programme by miles, it remained as the highest scoring element of the programme.

Apart from two 0's (from Judge 6 for the fourth element, the Midline Step Sequence; and from Judge 7 for the final element, the Choreographic Spin), and two +5's (from Judges 1 and 3 for the aforementioned opening element), all the Judges marks were in the +1 to +5 range.

Sofía and Asaf finished the Free Dance 0.13 points behind 13th position, Phebe BEKKER / James HERNANDEZ (GBR), and 2.73 points ahead of 15th position, Mariia IGNATEVA / Danijil Leonyidovics SZEMKO (HUN). Sofía and Asaf are the bottom partnership in a group of 3 partnerships covered by 0.23 points, which was headed by Milla Ruud REITAN / Nikolaj MAJOROV (SWE) in 12th position.

Overall, Sofía and Asaf finished 2.01 points behind 13th position, Reitan / Majorov, and 2.10 points ahead of 15th position, Ignateva / Szemko. Sofía and Asaf are the bottom partnership in a group of 3 partnerships covered by 2.03 points, which was headed by Yuka ORIHARA / Juho PIRINEN (FIN) in 12th position.

Oh, they were so close to getting 12th position in the Free Skate. And they weren't far off 12th in the overall standings either, but they would have needed a few more points. But, getting into the Top 15th at their first European Championships is a great result.

:cheer: WELL DONE!!! :cheer:

CaroLiza_fan
 
Sofía and Asaf will be making their Olympic debut today in Assago, Italy.

The Senior Short Dance is due to start at 19:20:00 CET (18:20:00 GMT / 21:20:00 MSK). So 10 hours from now.

Sofía and Asaf will be the 1st partnership to start. So, first partnership to go in Group 1.

The Group 1 Warm-Up is due to start at 19:20:00 CET (18:20:00 GMT / 21:20:00 MSK). So 10 hours from now.

Sofía and Asaf are due to start at 19:26:45 CET (18:26:45 GMT / 21:26:45 MSK). So 10h 6m from now.

But, those times may change if somebody that is due on before them withdraws.

More information in the event forum:
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/categories/1057

Hope this helps

:cheer: ALL THE BEST!!! :cheer:

CaroLiza_fan
 
The Athlete Bios on the IOC website have the a button which, when you press it, plays a recording of the athlete saying their own name! They first say it normal speed, and then break it down into syllables.

So, we finally have the definitive answer on how to pronounce their names! :cheer: :clap: :rock: :party2: :points: :hb:

I actually discovered this a few days ago, but it took me a very long time to work out how to extract the addresses of the recordings. But, I got there in the end, and can now post the links.

Sofía's Bio: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/results/athlete-details/23082
Sofía Saying Her Name: https://wmr-static-assets.scd.dgplatform.net/wmr/static/_AUDIO/OWG2026/DT_AUDIO/23082_1.mp3

Asaf's Bio: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/results/athlete-details/23078
Asaf Saying His Name: https://wmr-static-assets.scd.dgplatform.net/wmr/static/_AUDIO/OWG2026/DT_AUDIO/23078_1.mp3

Please be aware that, for some unknown reason, when you play them in Firefox, it misses the first second of the recordings. But, they play in their entirity in Chrome, Edge and Opera.

Hope this helps

CaroLiza_fan
 
Olympic Games Short Dance: Results; Protocols

No video uploaded yet 😞

Sofía and Asaf finished 20th out of 23 in the Short Dance, with a score of 64.98.

Here is what I wrote in the competition thread during the Warm-Up:

CaroLiza_fan

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Rhythm Dance'

Sofía and Asaf were running in holding hands! I always worry when I see skaters doing that.

And when the Warm-Up started, they were straight to it!

Had to laugh when the camera focussed in on them. They went their separate ways just after thecamera arrived on them, so the camera followed Sofía. Of course it did! We saw her taking off her jacket, and throwing it to the boards. (I didn't spot who was there to catch it).

Those massive cardboard cut-outs of their heads in the audience are kinda freaky!

Next time we saw them was in the last minute, they we just going by the coaches, and...
  • Like

And here is what I wrote about their programme:

CaroLiza_fan

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Rhythm Dance'

Simon before they started "You can't get enough of Ricky".

This season, yes you can. But, at least they are the first tonight.

Twizzles at start loooked great.

Is it just me, or is there not the same energy that there normally is? They look very cautious.

Louise agrees. After the Twizzles, she commented about them being slow.

But the smiles of them after they finished!

Hey, Louise, quit being so defeatist! They are good enough to get well up in the standings!

Sara greeting them at the boards.

Oh, it's just Sara sitting with them. I though Kirill would be there too.

Sara looking...
  • Like

The first comment from other members came from German member @Sabsi, who very humourously said:

Sabsi

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Rhythm Dance'

Let the Ricky Martin games begin!
  • Haha
  • Like
  • Grimace

My Norwegian friend, @norwegianfairytale, continued the theme:

norwegianfairytale

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Rhythm Dance'

The fact that we are starting the Ice Dance Olympics with Ricky Martin is so funny 😁
  • Haha

As did @ruffledgrouse:

ruffledgrouse

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Rhythm Dance'

Bad Bunny yesterday and Ricky Martin today, It's a good day :bsplit:
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And my friend in Sicily, @elektra blue:

elektra blue

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Rhythm Dance'

Ricky Martin has entered the chat
  • Haha

We finally got around to the actual skating with @figureskatingandrainbows, who was doing Play By Plays:

figureskatingandrainbows

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Rhythm Dance'

1. Sofia VAL & Asaf KAZIMOV ESP 🇪🇸
RD: "Maria" by Ricky Martin; "La Copa de la Vida" by Ricky Martin; "Livin’ La Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin, choreo by Kirill Khaliavin

SyTwW4+SyTwM4
MiStW1+MiStM1
PSt1
ChRS1 +1.50
RoLi4

RD: 64.98

Well, we open with a clean rhythm dance without any disasters, hopefully that continues! The crowd was really into this program, and Sofia & Val got great GOEs on their elements. They seemed a little tight, especially on both the step sequences, which was reflected in the levels, but that was a great Olympic debut from these two! They seemed to...
  • Like

@norwegianfairytale was impressed:

norwegianfairytale

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Rhythm Dance'

Well done Sofia and Asaf! :clap::clap: No big erros and a good Olympic debut!
  • Like
  • Clap

Netherlands based American @tulosai commented:

tulosai

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Rhythm Dance'

They aren't the strongest technically but I really enjoy their vibe and energy.
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Not-the-band @cocteautwin liked them, but saw issues:

cocteautwin

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Rhythm Dance'

Ricky Martin number one
They were sharp but looked a bit tense (mostly she), steps were a bit chaotic, not smooth. Overall, nice job.
  • Like

Finally, @norwegianfairytale commented about what the Technical Panel were doing to the scores:

norwegianfairytale

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Rhythm Dance'

Looks like they are strict with levels, only PS1.
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Looking at the protocols, there was only one negative number in the whole table. A -1 from Judge 1 for the penultiamte element, the Choreographic Rhythm Sequence. In fact, apart from this and three 0's (two of which were for that same element, and two of which were from Judge 8), all the Judges marks were either +1 or +2.

The GOE ranged from +0.82 for the final element, the Roller Lift, to +1.63 for the second element, the Midline Step Sequence.

Sofía and Asaf are currently 2.33 points behind 19th position, Milla Ruud REITAN / Nikolaj MAJOROV (SWE), and 1.31 points ahead of 21st position, WANG Shiyue / LIU Xinyu (CHN). Sofía and Asaf are at the head of a group of 4 partnerships covered by 1.31 points, stretching down to JANSE van RENSBURG Jennifer / STEFFAN Benjamin (DEU) in 23rd position.

But because only the Top 20 go through to the Free Dance, everybody behind Sofía and Asaf have been knocked out. So, they don't have to worry about anybody behind them overtaking them. They can concentrate on putting everything into trying to move up the standings. And there are two partnerships that are within striking distance, because Holly HARRIS / Jason CHAN (AUS) are only 0.44 points ahead of Reitan / Majorov. That is 2.77 points ahead of Sofía and Asaf.

So, let's hope they have a good Free Dance and can move up.

:cheer: WELL DONE!!! :cheer:


The Senior Free Dance is due to start at 19:30:00 CET (18:30:00 GMT / 21:30:00 MSK). So 10 hours from now.

Sofía and Asaf will be the 1st partnership to start. So, first partnership to go in Group 1.

The Group 1 Warm-Up is due to start at 19:30:00 CET (18:30:00 GMT / 21:30:00 MSK). So 10 hours from now.

Sofía and Asaf are due to start at 19:37:00 CET (18:37:00 GMT / 21:37:00 MSK). So 10h 37m from now.

But, those times may change if somebody that is due on before them withdraws.

More information in the event forum:
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/forums/1057

Hope this helps

:cheer: ALL THE BEST!!! :cheer:

CaroLiza_fan
 
Olympic Games Senior Free Dance: Results; Protocols
Olympic Games Senior Ice Dance: Results

No video uploaded yet 😞

Sofía and Asaf finished 19th out of 20 in the FD, with a score of 100.25. This meant that they climbed to 19th position overall, with a score of 165.23.

Here is what I wrote in the competition thread during the Warm-Up:

CaroLiza_fan

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Free Dance'

Sofía and Asaf come running in holding hands again. And then when they get to the ice, it is big double waves from both of them.

Oh, they look so happy to be here!

Sofía is wearing the team jacket. Asaf isn't - he is just in the white shirt and black trousers that he will be wearing for the programme.

Doing a warm-up exercise when the camera focussed on them at the start of the Warm-Up. Well, Sofía was stretching her legs while skating along. Asaf was skating behind her holding her hands to stretch her arms. He looked like a puppeteer! :laugh:

Unfortuantely, we didn't get to see them...
  • Like

And here is what I wrote about the programme:

CaroLiza_fan

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Free Dance'

Boys but I love this programme.

Sofía barely got acquainted with the ice in the early stages due to being lifted up in the air for so long!

A wee bit too close to each other for my liking during the first set of Twizzles. I was worried that they might collide. Thankfully they didn't.

But, on the whole, that was beautiful.

Sofía lying on the ice and the msuic fading out always catches me out. I think it is the end. But then they continue for a good while afterwards.

Simon says "They may not win, but that was a beautiful start to the competition".

Well, for me anyway, skating like that...
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The first comment came just before they started from our resident video archive list compiler @labgoat, who simply said:

Go Sofia & Asaf!​

@figureskatingandrainbows was doing Play By Plays:

figureskatingandrainbows

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Free Dance'

1. Sofia VAL & Asaf KAZIMOV ESP 🇪🇸
FD: "Exogenesis: Pt. 3 (Redemption)" by Muse; "Exogenesis: Pt.2 (Cross-pollination)" by Muse; "Exogenesis: Pt. 3 (Redemption)" by Muse; choreo by Kirill Khaliavin

StaLi4+CuLi4
OFTW1+OFTM2
SyTwW4+SyTwM4 (little bit of balance issues on the third set for Asaf)
MiStW1+MiStM2
CuLi4
DSp4
ChSt1 +1.78
ChLi1 +0.83
ChSp1 +1.45

RD: 64.98 (20th)
FD: 100.25 (1st)
TOT: 165.23 (1st)

This was a much better outing from Sofia and Val compared to the rhythm dance. They seemed so much more settled and in control throughout this program. The...
  • Like

My Norwegian friend, @norwegianfairytale, was impressed:

norwegianfairytale

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Free Dance'

Good start by Sofia and Asaf :clap: :clap:
  • Like

As was Netherlands based American @tulosai:

tulosai

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Free Dance'

Interesting team, lots of potential. Some very unusual and eye catching positions in the lifts that were cool to see.
  • Like

Even though they couldn't resist a dig at the music, so was @EdgeCall:

E

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Free Dance'

Beautiful start! Even Muse couldn't stop it.:clap:
  • Like

@Princessroja was also impressed, and brought up something I hadn't thought about:

Princessroja

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Free Dance'

That was really nice! Good score incoming for them. Should give them a chance for grand prix next year maybe too?
  • Like

@bramweld also thought they provided a good start to the competition:

B

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Free Dance'

Confident start.
  • Like

Sheffield's own @Ruthypegs commented about seeing them at Europeans:

R

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Free Dance'

Sofia and Asaf were beautiful to watch in real life at Euros - looking forward to seeing more of them
  • Like

Finally, as part of her comment, @ruffledgrouse singled out a particular element for praise:

ruffledgrouse

Post in thread '2026 Olympics: Free Dance'

Very pretty skate from V/K. I like the combined spins at the beginning
  • Like

Looking at the Protocols, there was only one negative number on the whole table: a -1 from Judge 7 for the seventh element, the Choreographic Character Step Sequence. All the other Judges marks were in the 0 to +4 range. All three +4's came from Judge 3, and were for the opening element, the Staionary Lift-Roller Lift; the fifth element, the Curved Lift; and the penultimate element, the Choreographic Lift. Marta OLOZAGARRE (ESP) clearly likes their lifts!

The GOE ranged from +0.89 for the sixth element, the Dance Spin, to +2.74 for the opening element, the Stationary Lift-Roller Lift. And because the opening element already had the highest Base Value of the programme by miles, it remained as the highest scoring element of the programme.

Sofía and Asaf finished the Free Dance 6.74 points behind 18th position, Phebe BEKKER / James HERNANDEZ (GBR), and 2.51 points ahead of 20th position, Milla Ruud REITAN / Nikolaj MAJOROV (SWE).

Overall, Sofía and Asaf finished 11.16 points behind 18th position, Holly HARRIS / Jason CHAN, and 2.10 points ahead of 19th position, Reitan / Majorov.

Although I am sure they will disappointed with their actual scores (it was their lowest SD and overall scores of the season, and their second lowest FD score of the season), they can find re-assurance in the fact that the partnerships that were around them at Europeans were also around them here.

All in all, they did a great job in their Olympic debut. And I am so proud of them.

Now roll on Senior Worlds!

:cheer: WELL DONE!!! :cheer:

CaroLiza_fan
 
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