Asaf Kazimov

Asaf Kazimovich Kazimov (; born 12 March 2000) is a Russian-born German-Spanish ice dancer who currently competes for Spain. With his skating partner, Sofía Val, he is the 2025 Winter World University Games champion, three-time national silver medalist, Skate to Milano bronze medalist, and 2026 Winter Olympian.

Personal life Kazimov was born on 12 March 2000 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Kazimov and his family immigrated to Germany in 2012. He obtained a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at the Technical University of Dortmund before earning a master's degree at the Technical University of Madrid. Additionally, he is able to speak Russian, German, Spanish, and English.

In September 2025, he was granted Spanish citizenship.

Career Early years Kazimov began learning how to skate in 2006 in his native Saint Petersburg under the guidance of coach Elena Vlasova. Then he moved to a group led by Valentina Chebotareva, where he studied until he was eleven years old. Kazimov and his family emigrated from Russia to Germany in 2012, and there he took up the sport with his first competitive partner, Diana Scheidt.

The new team was ineligible to compete internationally until January 2023 when Kazimov received his release from the German Ice Skating Union. Val/Kazimov debuted at the 2023 Challenge Cup at the end of February where they placed sixth of 14 and secured their technical minimum scores to be eligible to compete at the 2023 World Championships. At the event, Val/Kazimov won the bronze medal and with this result, won a second Olympic spot for Spain at the upcoming Olympics.

The duo subsequently competed on the 2025–26 Challenger Series, finishing sixth at the 2025 CS Denis Ten Memorial Challenge, seventh at the 2025 CS Warsaw Cup, and fifth at the 2025 CS Tallinn Trophy.

In spite of being confirmed for the 2026 World Championships in Prague, they were forced to withdrew due to Kazimov's surgery for appendicitis. “I started feeling a sharp pain in my stomach on March 10th, and after the first practice, it was getting worse,” said Kazimov. His recovery lasted approximately four weeks, and he returned to the ice in early April. As a result, the Olympics brought an end to their season.

Programs Ice dance with Sofía Val (for Spain) Season Rhythm dance Free dance 2025–2026