The world’s first transgender figure skater, Minna-Maaria Antikainen, faced a memorable mishap during their debut at the European Figure Skating Championships. Formerly known as Markku-Pekka Antikainen, Minna-Maaria is not only the first transgender skater on the international stage but also an unconventional athlete who took up figure skating at the age of forty-nine.

Despite eight years of training, Antikainen stumbled at the start of their routine, resulting in a spectacular fall just seconds into their performance. Fortunately, a female hostess rescued them, allowing the skater to continue. The Finnish Figure Skating Association had granted Antikainen a solo act at the opening ceremony to symbolize support for diversity, equality, and inclusion in the sport.

However, the incident highlights the challenges faced by transgender athletes in the conservative realm of figure skating, where same-sex pairs are still prohibited. The video captures the first moments of Antikainen’s routine, capturing the unexpected tumble during their international debut.