Bierwert makes history as first Emirati to qualify for Junior World Championships

Kuumar Shyam (Abu Dhabi)

When skater Marie Bierwert became the first Emirati female athlete last to qualify for the World Junior Figure Skating Championships last week, she capped a doubled win for the UAE.

Her performance at the 2025 ISU Junior Grand Prix held at Zayed Sports City Ice Rink in Abu Dhabi was a first for the hosts just as the emirate became the first to host an event of such major magnitude in the sport.

Bierwert, 15, finished 17th among 35 competitors in the women’s singles category, earning enough points to secure her place at next year’s Junior Worlds in Estonia. Her achievement marks a landmark for the UAE, coming at the nation’s first-ever hosting of a Junior Grand Prix event.

“It is a great achievement,” said Bierwert, visibly relieved after her performance. “Preparing for it was nerve-wracking, but my desire and the support of my coaches and parents helped me overcome it. The rink here feels like home, and the local support gave me extra motivation.”

Her coach, Mark Belkin, praised her dedication and resilience through an intense preparation schedule. “Our athletes’ preparation started long before the Junior Grand Prix,” he said.

“Once we knew that the UAE would host the event, we focused on preparing three athletes for this opportunity. Unfortunately, one of them, Marina Makarenko, was injured before the competition, but Marie and Sarah performed admirably.”

Belkin said the team’s strategy was to build a program strong enough to help Bierwert meet the qualification mark for the Junior Worlds. “For Marie, the goal this season was to qualify,” he said.

“Her participation in the JGP in Bangkok earlier gave us time to fix errors and strengthen her performance for the Abu Dhabi stage. The results show her hard work paid off.”

Bierwert’s success also reflects the UAE’s growing investment in winter sports. “The support from our leadership has provided an ideal environment to develop athletes across all sports, including winter disciplines,” said Juma Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the UAE Winter Sports Federation.

Off the ice, Bierwert maintains a demanding schedule balancing studies and training. “I have school in the morning and practice after lunch every day,” she said. “Coach Mark is always cheerful, keeps me positive and focused. I’m proud to wear the UAE flag – it’s a huge responsibility and honour.”

Belkin believes this is just the beginning for UAE figure skating. “The more international competitions we attend, the more visibility we bring to the country,” he said. “Marie’s qualification shows that, with dedication and support, UAE athletes can compete among the world’s best.”

The Abu Dhabi leg of the Junior Grand Prix marked the final round of this season, featuring 35 women’s singles competitors and 12 pairs.

As she prepares for Estonia, Bierwert’s coach says the focus will be on strengthening her technical elements step by step. “We’ll continue adding difficulty without taking unnecessary risks,” Belkin said. “Marie’s journey has only just begun.”