Misha Mitrofanov

Misha Mitrofanov (born June 12, 1997) is an American pair skater. With his current partner and wife, Alisa Efimova, he is the 2026 Four Continents champion, a two-time U.S. national champion (2025–26), a two-time Grand Prix medalist, and a three-time Challenger Series medalist.

With his former skating partner, Audrey Lu, he is the 2022 Four Continents champion, 2021 Golden Spin of Zagreb champion, 2018 U.S. International Classic silver medalist, and 2022 U.S. national bronze medalist.

Personal life Mitrofanov was born on June 12, 1997, in Madison, Wisconsin.

Career Early years Mitrofanov began learning to skate in 2001 at the age of four after doctors encouraged his parents to enter him into sports as a way to improve the weak immune system he had been born with. As a result of their placement, they were assigned to compete at the 2022 Four Continents Championships in Tallinn, and named second alternates to the American Olympic team. Lu/Mitrofanov won both segments of the Four Continents competition to take the gold medal. They parted ways following the season due to Lu deciding to prioritize attending university.

Partnership with Efimova

2023–24 season: Debut of Efimova/Mitrofanov Upon learning about her split with previous partner, Ruben Blommaert, Mitrofanov, messaged Finnish-Russian pair skater, Alisa Efimova on Instagram, asking if she would be interested in having a pair skating tryout with him. They skated a clean free skate, however, winning that competition segment and winning the gold medal overall.

A few days following the pair's win, however, eleven skaters and four figure skating coaches were killed in the Potomac River mid-air collision. Four of the victims were members of the Skating Club of Boston, where Efimova/Mitrofanov train. Speaking on the tragedy, Mitrofanov shared, "It was very difficult. That goes without saying. For the club members that were directly supported, I mean, directly involved in it, I think there were words indescribable for truly what happened. We all came together, and we supported each other, and we wanted to support them as much as we can. We took it day by day and we gave all the love that we had for one another." Speaking on the experience of skating at Worlds in his hometown, Mitrofanov shared, "It was absolutely unbelievable! To have Worlds in Boston, it was everything I could hope and dream for. We had that slight extra pressure, you know, like, this is home, this is worlds. So, you really want to do well. But to be honest, the support from the crowd was absolutely amazing. That’s what really helped." Gordeeva, herself, also assisted in the program's creation.

They opened the season in August at 2025 CS John Nicks International Pairs Competition where they took silver, and followed up with a bronze medal at 2025 CS Nebelhorn Trophy. A couple months later, Efimova/Mitrofanov placed fifth at 2025 NHK Trophy and followed up with a silver medal at 2025 Finlandia Trophy. "It feels amazing! It is great that we beat the 200-mark today," said Efimova after the free skate. "We are happy with today, happy with all the work that we have put in." They were instead named to the 2026 Four Continents team and the 2026 World team.

Less than two weeks later, Efimova/Mitrofanov competed at the 2026 Four Continents Championships. They placed third in the short program and won the free skate, winning the gold medal overall. "This is my first gold medal in Four Continents championships, and I'm happy to win it with Misha," said Efimova. "I am proud of us. But overall, the athletic career and life is a long path; we just keep on moving forward."

At the 2026 World Championships, the pair finished in 6th place.

Programs

Pair skating with Alisa Efimova Season Short program Free skating Exhibition 2023–24