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Canadian figure skater Roman Sadovsky is embracing the heat of competition as he prepares to defend his place on the international stage. With veteran Keegan Messing making a surprise comeback and young prodigy Stephen Gogolev rising fast, the fight for Canada’s sole men’s figure skating spot at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics is intensifying — and Sadovsky says he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Thrill of Competition
For Roman Sadovsky, competition is the lifeblood of skating. The reigning national men’s champion insists that the growing rivalry only fuels his motivation.
“I’m doing this because I like the thrill of competition. The more competition, the better,” Sadovsky said. “If it weren’t for competition, I wouldn’t be doing it, straight up.”
The 26-year-old skater from Vaughan, Ontario, will compete at Skate Canada International in Saskatoon this weekend — the third stop on the ISU Grand Prix circuit, where 18 Canadian athletes will represent the country across events.
Messing’s Comeback Adds Fuel to the Fire
Sadovsky’s Olympic campaign took a new twist when Keegan Messing, a two-time Olympian who retired in 2023, announced his return earlier this year. Messing’s top scores still surpass those of any Canadian man since his departure, making him a strong contender if he returns to full form.
Yet, Sadovsky was unfazed.
“It came as no shock. I’d been hearing rumors since last season,” he said. “It doesn’t change my focus or goals — it just adds some fuel to the fire.”
His longtime coach Tracey Wainman echoed the sentiment, saying that unexpected challenges are part of Sadovsky’s journey.
“We’ve faced everything from lost skates to canceled flights,” Wainman said. “You can’t control these things, so we just keep our eyes on the mission.”
A Rivalry Rekindled
Sadovsky will face Stephen Gogolev again in Saskatoon, marking their third showdown this season.
In August, Sadovsky won gold at the Cranberry Cup in Massachusetts, while Gogolev claimed bronze.
At September’s Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany, Gogolev triumphed with gold, and Sadovsky placed fifth.
Despite the rivalry, Sadovsky views this Olympic season as his most balanced yet, crediting his improved mental focus.
“In the past, if I missed the opening quad, it’d throw me off,” he admitted. “Now I can refocus and move on. One mistake doesn’t have to define the program.”
Skating Toward Self-Discovery
Sadovsky acknowledges that at 26, he’s reaching a mature stage in his skating career — and perhaps nearing the final chapter.
“I’ll have to reflect after this season and decide what’s next,” he said. “Right now, I feel at my peak — mentally, technically, and physically.”
He adds that the new wave of competition has only deepened his appreciation for the sport.
“It’s honestly really, really good,” he said with a grin. “It would have been really boring if there was no competition.”
