Slovak figure skater Olívia Lengyelová secured third place at the Memoriál Ondreja Nepelu in Bratislava, marking the first time a Slovak woman has medaled at the home event in fourteen years. Competing in her debut senior international competition, the seventeen-year-old earned a total personal best score of 182.99 points, according to official results reported by local sports media.
Breakthrough Senior Debut in Bratislava
Skating to music from the television series Game of Thrones, the Košice native executed six triple jumps during her free skate. Lengyelová finished third after the short program and maintained her podium position by scoring 120.71 points in the free skate, raising her personal best by nearly thirteen points overall.
Her performance comfortably surpassed the technical minimum scores required for championship events. Lengyelová achieved 98.94 combined technical points across her programs, clearing the European championship threshold of 75 points and the world championship requirement of 88 points.
Historic Medal Ends Fourteen-Year Drought for Slovakia
Lengyelová’s bronze medal ends a fourteen-year podium drought for Slovak women at the Ondrej Nepela Memorial. The last female skater from Slovakia to medal at the event was Monika Simančíková, who placed second in 2012. Slovakia’s most recent overall podium finish at the Nepela Memorial came in 2014 through ice dancers Federica Testová and Lukáš Csölley.
South Korean competitor Yuseong Kim won the 2026 women’s title with 202.70 points after climbing from fourth place following the short program with a strong free skate featuring two triple axels. Her compatriot Haein Lee secured the silver medal with 190.55 points. Lengyelová’s score placed her ahead of notable competitors including Gabrielle Daleman of Canada and Nina Pinzarrone of Belgium.
Pro Tip: Technical Minimums in Figure Skating
Skaters must meet specific technical score thresholds in international competitions before they are eligible to enter European and World Championships. Olívia Lengyelová secured her eligibility for both championships on her very first senior outing by clearing the 75-point European and 88-point World minimums.
Emotions and Future Plans for the Young Skater
Reflecting on her unexpected podium finish, Lengyelová described the moment as an overwhelming emotional release in front of a supportive home crowd. Trained by coaches Sergei Rozanov and Polina Šuboderová, the skater splits her time between training in Ritten, Italy, and representing the Bratislava club Jumping Joe while completing her studies at a grammar school in Prešov.
 "Photo: sport.aktuality.sk")
Looking ahead in the season, Lengyelová intends to focus fully on senior-level competitions. She noted that junior world championship appearances will likely be handled by her sister, Alica, who represented Slovakia at the World Junior Championships last season.
Performance of Fellow Slovak Competitor Terézia Pócsová
Compatriot Terézia Pócsová also made her debut at the Nepela Memorial, finishing seventeenth overall with a total score of 125.37 points. Performing her free skate to Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain,” the twenty-year-old skater landed multiple elements before a fall on her concluding triple salchow. Pócsová expressed enthusiasm for performing her new choreography in front of a home audience that included lifelong supporters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the women’s competition at the 2026 Memoriál Ondreja Nepelu?
Yuseong Kim of South Korea won the gold medal with a total score of 202.70 points.
When was the last time a Slovak woman medaled at the Nepela Memorial?
Monika Simančíková won a silver medal in the women’s category in 2012, marking the last female podium finish for Slovakia prior to Olívia Lengyelová’s 2026 bronze.
What score did Olívia Lengyelová achieve to win bronze?
Lengyelová achieved a personal best total score of 182.99 points, including 120.71 points for her free skate.
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