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Winter Olympics 2026: Russian Figure Skater Anastasiia Gubanova Performance on Bollywood Beats, Desi Touch on Ice Goes Viral

Winter Olympics 2026 saw Russian figure skater Anastasiia Gubanova stun fans with a Bollywood themed performance in Italy, going viral for its unique cultural crossover.

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Rajeev Baghele
Winter Olympics 2026

Winter Olympics 2026: A memorable moment from the Winter Olympics 2026 figure skating event has taken both sports fans and social media by surprise. Held in Italy, the event grabbed global attention when Russian-born figure skater Anastasia Gubanova delivered a stunning performance set to Bollywood music, creating a rare and powerful cultural crossover on the ice.

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Her skating was not only technically impressive but visually striking as well. Dressed in a red-and-gold body-fitting costume, with flowing red hair and a traditional red bindi on her forehead, Gubanova’s look instantly stood out. As videos of her performance surfaced online, they spread rapidly across social media platforms. Indian audiences, in particular, showered the performance with praise, calling it a beautiful fusion of sport and culture.

Russian Figure Skater

Anastasia Gubanova is a well-known name in international figure skating. Born in Russia, she competes internationally for Georgia. At just 23 years old, she has already achieved major milestones in her career. She is the 2023 European Champion and has won silver medals twice at the European Championships. In addition, she has earned multiple podium finishes in the ISU Challenger Series and Grand Prix events.

Performance Special?

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The highlight of her Olympic routine was the music selection. Gubanova began her performance with the iconic Bollywood song “San Sanana” from the film Asoka. As the routine progressed, the music seamlessly transitioned into the title track of the popular Bollywood film Dhurandhar. The unexpected yet powerful blend left the audience completely captivated and turned the moment into a viral sensation.

Beyond the music, her entire presentation reflected Indian cultural elements. The red-and-gold costume and bindi added depth and meaning to her performance, which many viewers interpreted as a gesture of respect and admiration for Indian culture.

Russian Figure Skater

Interestingly, some of her skating moves appeared to be inspired by Punjabi folk dance styles. The way she executed these steps on ice showed that she had not only chosen Bollywood music but also understood its rhythm and emotion. This blend of athletic excellence and cultural expression created a fresh, exciting, and unforgettable experience for viewers around the world.

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