South Korean figure skating phenom Seo Min-kyu (Kyungsin High School) clinched bronze in his senior debut at the 2026-27 International Skating Union (ISU) Figure Skating Grand Prix, amassing an impressive total of 244.90 points.
Competing in the men’s singles free skate in Angers, France on Monday, Seo earned a technical score (TES) of 81.32, a program component score (PCS) of 80.75, and incurred a one-point deduction, totaling 161.07 points for the segment.
Building on his short program score of 83.83, Seo’s combined total of 244.90 secured him third place and the bronze medal.
France’s Adam Siao Him Fa claimed gold with 284.24 points, while Japan’s Miura Kao took silver with 247.96.
Fresh off his 2024 Junior World Championship victory and two subsequent silver medal finishes, Seo’s podium finish in his senior debut marks a successful transition to the top level of competition.
Seo kicked off his free skate with a flawless quad Salchow-triple toe loop combination, earning a grade of execution (GOE) of 2.91.
His second jumping pass, intended to be a quad Salchow, was downgraded to a double due to insufficient rotation. He then stumbled on the landing of his triple Axel, resulting in a 4.00-point deduction.
Undeterred, Seo regained his composure for the remainder of his program. He executed a level 4 change foot combination spin before nailing a triple Axel-Euler-triple Salchow-double Axel sequence. Seo maintained his momentum with a level 4 step sequence and flying camel spin, capping off his performance with a flawless choreographic sequence.
Meanwhile, Cha Jun-hwan, the standard-bearer of South Korean men’s figure skating, was absent from this competition, having temporarily suspended his national team duties and international appearances for the season.