Milan wraps up the Hero Battle Cup 2026 with thrills and major records

Elite international skating transforms Piazza Duca d’Aosta into an open-air sports festival. Surrounded by an extraordinary crowd, the Milan edition comes to a close as preparations begin for the Italian Championship stage at Roma Termini, from July 9 to 20.

MILANO, July 5, 2026 – The curtain falls on the Inline Freestyle World Cup – Milano – Hero Battle Cup 2026, which from June 30 to July 4 transformed the square in front of the Central Station into the beating heart of urban sports. Welcoming over 500 athletes, the completely free event delivered vibrant emotions, visible on the faces of the competitors before a massive, diverse, and enthusiastic crowd. The thunderous support from the fans who flooded Piazza Duca d’Aosta to cheer on the athletes was truly memorable, turning every performance into a moment of pure sporting connection.

The sporting heart of Milan

With an extraordinary international turnout, the event brought together athletes, coaches, and staff from all over the globe, creating a true sports village that hosted representatives from over 25 nations.

The competitions registered massive numbers: more than 300 athletes registered for the World Cup qualifiers, with 100 finalists ready to battle it out. Supporting them was a dedicated 40-member crew, alongside the invaluable presence of sponsors, institutions, and media.

The event also generated a powerful media echo, racking up over 2 million views on Instagram alone and keeping thousands of passionate fans glued to their screens as they tuned in for the finals broadcast live by the international federation, World Skate.

Sports results and the medal tally for Pro Women and Pro Men

Anna KUKUSHKINA (NIA) and Viritpol VONGAKRAYAKORN (THA) claimed victory in the Slide discipline, while Mayrin BURASOVITCH (FRA) and Maxim CARAION (MDA) triumphed in Jump. In Speed Slalom, the gold went to Sveva Romano (ITA) and HUANG PIN-RUEI (TPE).

In the Classic discipline, Lia LI YUET (HKG) and Roman SHCHAPOV (NIA) took the top spots, with Shchapov also dominating the Pair discipline alongside Margarita KOMAROVSKAIA (NIA). Finally, the high-octane Battle category was won by Lia LI YUET (HKG) and Kamin INSWANG (THA).

Asia conquered the top of the medal standings in the World Cup national rankings, effectively monopolizing the highest steps of the podium thanks to an unbeatable mix of speed and style, leaving very little room for rivals across nearly all disciplines.

A special round of applause goes to the young talents in the Under 15 category, who captivated both the crowd and the judges across various competitions, showcasing top-tier athletic preparation. Their runs confirm the extraordinary growth of the movement and prove that the future of world Inline Freestyle is in excellent hands.

Adding to the impressive figures, 100 athletes inaugurated the futuristic new Freestyle Mashup discipline, presented for the first time in Milan, which blends the elegance of inline figure skating, the quick responsiveness of freestyle, and the vibrant rhythms of contemporary dance.

“We are thrilled with the incredible response Milan gave to this grand showcase of sport,” highlighted Alessandro Cola, the event organizer. “The technical level this year was extraordinary, pushed to the absolute limit by the new, unified Pro category, which saw veterans compete side-by-side with the rising stars of tomorrow. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Ministry for Sport and Youth, the Lombardy Region, and the Municipality of Milan for their unwavering support. A special thank you also goes to Grandi Stazioni, CX Campus & Hotel, and NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, along with all the partners who made this beautiful celebration of inline skating possible.”

The next appointment is already set with the Italian Inline Freestyle Championship, taking place from July 9 to 20 at Roma Termini: another public square challenge accepted, with the promise to once again exceed every expectation.

For any informations: https://www.herobattlecup.com/en/

PHOTOS