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The world’s first transgender figure skater takes an epic fall in an awkward performance at the opening ceremony of the European Figure Skating Championships in Finland
The world’s first transgender figure skater suffered a spectacular fall during the opening ceremony of the European Figure Skating Championships in Finland.
Former Finnish men’s skater, Markku-Pekka Antikainen, now known as Minna-Maaria Antikainen, had quite the eventful debut at this year’s tournament debut despite only starting the sport at the age of 49.
The 57-year-old farm owner from Siilinjarvi was given a solo act by the Finnish Figure Skating Association at the opening ceremony in an effort to promote diversity, equality and inclusion.
Minna-Maaria Antikainen, also known as Markku-Pekka, is the world’s first transgender figure skater.
The 57-year-old, who identifies as a gender-neutral woman, needed help getting back on her feet.
However, nerves reached Antikainen.
The figure skater, who is believed to identify as a gender-neutral woman, according to Finnish media, showed off her beginner technique by stumbling to the ground rather quickly, seconds after she had jumped onto the ice to start the performance.
Fortunately for the amateur skater, a hostess carrying the Finnish flag came to the rescue and helped them to their feet.
It has to be said that some would feel bad for Antikainen, who once claimed she wanted to fulfill a childhood dream of being an ‘ice princess’, according to Reduxx ‘pro-woman, pro-child protecting platform’ magazine.
The Finnish Figure Skating Association hired Antikainen to promote diversity and equity
Antikainen started skating to follow the dream of one day becoming an ‘ice princess’
Before the disastrous performance, Antikainen practiced on the ice for five hours a week and had previously participated in various competitions both in his homeland and abroad, Skating Finland reported.
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships was inspired by the event theme “Just be you”.
The Finnish Figure Skating Association intended to promote the importance of equality and diversity and develop skating in accordance with its values after many had weighed in on the debate over whether “same-sex skating pairs” should continue. being prohibited in sport.
The 57-year-old is a farm owner from Siilinjarvi and started skating in 2014.
‘Figure skating is a very conservative sport with several strict rules. In international competitions, same-sex skating pairs are not allowed and there is no category for non-binary skaters,” said Outi Wuorenheimo, Executive Director of the Finnish Figure Skating Association.
‘I hope that all countries start working for equality and diversity in the field.’
The ISU European Figure Skating Championships will take place from January 25-29.