As Adeliia Petrosian parents remain largely private, the 18-year-old Russian figure skater is making global headlines at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where she scored a career-best 72.89 in the short program while competing as a neutral athlete.
Adeliia Petrosian (Russian: Аделия Петросян) is one of the brightest young stars in women’s figure skating. Born on June 5, 2007, in Moscow, Russia, she began skating at just four years old in 2011.
From the time she was young, it was obvious she had something special. She climbed the ranks of Russia’s cutthroat skating world fast, eventually becoming one of the country’s top competitors.
She’s won the Russian national championship three times in a row, 2024, 2025, and 2026. On top of that, she took home the Russian Grand Prix Final title three times between 2023 and 2025.
Earlier in her career, she won the 2021 ISU Junior Grand Prix in Slovenia and earned silver at the 2021 Russian Junior Championships. She also captured bronze at the 2022 Russian National Championships. Notably, she went undefeated in domestic competitions during the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 seasons, a rare achievement in such a deep field.
Beyond her medals, Petrosian made history in technical skating. She became the first female skater to land a quadruple loop in competition.
Furthermore, she was the first skater, male or female, to complete two quadruple loops in a single free skate, although these milestones were achieved in domestic events. These accomplishments placed her name among the sport’s technical pioneers.
Adeliia Petrosian Parents and Family Background
Adeliia Petrosian comes from a family that values privacy, even as her name grows more famous in figure skating. Her parents have largely remained out of the public spotlight, and their personal details are not widely shared in international media.
Because of this, many outlets focus more on her performances than on her home life. Still, it is clear that her family has played a major role in shaping her career.
Adeliia is of Armenian heritage through her father’s side. Her full name, Adeliia Tigranovna Petrosian, offers an important clue about her background.
In Russian naming tradition, “Tigranovna” means “daughter of Tigran,” which shows that her father’s first name is Tigran. The surname Petrosian, also spelled Petrosyan, is common in Armenia. Although her father keeps a low public profile, his Armenian roots are an important part of her identity.
At the same time, Adeliia was born in Moscow, Russia, was raised there. Her mother is Russian, and much of Adeliia’s upbringing reflects Russian culture and training traditions. She has spoken about her mother’s strong influence in her early years.
According to interviews, her mother noticed her love for skating when she was only two years old. As a result, she put her on the ice at age four in 2011. Since then, her mother has remained closely involved, often spending long hours at the rink and helping her work through difficult moments.
Although her parents avoid media attention, their steady support has been vital. From early lessons to national championships and the 2026 Winter Olympics, their guidance helped build the foundation of her success. In many ways, her quiet but strong family support system stands behind her rise in elite figure skating.
Latest News: Olympic Spotlight and Ongoing Debate
Adeliia Petrosian made major headlines at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan after delivering a career-best short program score of 72.89 points on February 17.
Skating to a Michael Jackson medley, the 18-year-old earned loud cheers and finished fifth, placing herself firmly in medal contention ahead of the free skate.
“Today I wasn’t nervous at all, Let’s see what happens in the free skate.”
Adeliia Petrosian
Petrosian is competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) because Russian athletes are banned from representing their country due to the war in Ukraine. As a result, she skates without a national flag or anthem. Despite these limits, she has become one of the most talked-about athletes at the Games, especially since she is the only woman in the field who regularly attempts quadruple jumps.
At the same time, controversy surrounds her coach, Eteri Tutberidze. Tutberidze, who previously coached Olympic champions and was linked to past doping investigations involving former student Kamila Valieva, was seen at practice in Milan. Although she was not officially accredited as Petrosian’s coach for the Games, her presence drew attention.
The International Skating Union released a statement explaining that screening protocols were followed, while World Anti-Doping Agency president Witold Bańka admitted he felt “not comfortable” with her presence, even though no rule was broken.
Still, Petrosian has remained calm under pressure. She chose a safer jump layout in the short program for stability but may attempt quads in the free skate, which could push her onto the podium. For now, she stands at the center of both Olympic excitement and global debate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adeliia Petrosian
How tall is Adeliia Petrosian?
She stands at about 1.52 meters (5 feet 0 inches). Her compact height supports quick rotation, which helps with difficult jumps.
What major titles has she earned?
Petrosian is a three-time Russian National Champion (2024–2026). In addition, she has won the Russian Grand Prix Final three times and captured gold at the 2021 ISU Junior Grand Prix in Slovenia during her junior career.
How did she perform in the short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
At the 2026 Games in Milan, she delivered a personal-best 72.89 points in the short program. Her routine, set to music by Michael Jackson, combined clean jumps with strong performance quality.
What is her ethnicity?
Although she was born and raised in Moscow, she has Armenian roots through her father’s side, giving her a mixed Russian and Armenian ethnicity.
