The 2025 Grand Prix Cup of China delivered a moment that will go down in figure skating history: the triumphant return of Olympic champions Sui Wenjing and Han Cong after a nearly four-year hiatus. But the real story? It was Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava who stole the show, clinching their second Grand Prix victory with a breathtaking pairs free skate performance in Chongqing, China, on October 25th. Skating to Jonathan Roy's Keeping Me Alive, the Georgian duo scored 139.47 points, leaving Italy’s Sara Conti and Niccolò Macii in second place with 136.47. Sui and Han, skating for the first time since their Beijing 2022 Olympic gold, thrilled the home crowd with a bronze-winning comeback, despite a performance that wasn’t flawless. Their undeniable chemistry and the crowd’s roaring approval proved that sometimes, it’s not about perfection—it’s about the connection.
Metelkina gushed about the experience, saying, ‘It was so great to skate here, the audience was incredible, and we’re thrilled to be back.’ Meanwhile, Conti and Macii kicked off their Grand Prix season with elegance, skating to a version of Caruso—a poignant choice as they prepare for their home Olympics in Milano Cortina 2026.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While Sui and Han’s return was celebrated, some fans questioned whether their bronze was deserved, given their long absence and less-than-perfect execution. Did their legacy carry them to the podium, or was it purely their emotional connection to the audience? And this is the part most people miss: as figure skating evolves, how much weight should we give to past achievements versus current performance?
Rewatch the drama unfold on the ISU YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwGcRNAcTUw) and dive deeper into the event with the full schedule, results, and standings (https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/figure-skating-grand-prix-cup-of-china-2025-full-schedule-results).
Thought-provoking question for you: Should legacy and emotional impact factor into judging, or should scores be based solely on technical execution? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
