Vadym Kolesnik

Vadym Kolesnik (Ukrainian: Вадим Колесник; born October 27, 2001) is an American ice dancer. With his skating partner, Emilea Zingas, he is a 2026 World Championships bronze medalist, a 2026 Four Continents champion, two-time Grand Prix medalist, a five-time Challenger Series medalist, the 2026 U.S. National silver medalist, and the 2023, 2025 U.S. national pewter medalist. Zingas and Kolesnik represented the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

With his former partner, Avonley Nguyen, he is the 2020 World Junior champion, the 2019–20 Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalist, and the 2020 U.S. junior national champion. He has also won four medals on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series, including three golds, and qualified to the 2018–19 Junior Grand Prix Final.

Personal life Kolesnik was born on October 27, 2001, in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Additionally, he is a Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture alumnus, having a master's degree in sports education and sports psychology.

Since 2022, Kolesnik has been in a relationship with his ice dance partner, Emilea Zingas.

Career Early years Kolesnik began learning to skate as a four-year-old after his grandmother took him to a local rink.

The following month Zingas/Kolesnik won the bronze at 2025 Finlandia Trophy, qualifying for the 2025–26 Grand Prix Final. "I’m in shock! I think we’re still shaking a little," said Zingas after the free dance. "Just because before the skate, I wanted it so badly. I wasn’t thinking too much about the Final until we got here, and everybody started asking us questions about it and stuff. And I love Japan; I so much wanted to go to Japan." "This is an extremely special event for us," said Zingas. "Last year at this time, we experienced some disappointment at the U.S. Championships, and honestly, I feel grateful for that moment because it taught me to know what I want and taught me how I don’t want to feel after a national championship."

Before leaving for the Winter Olympics, Kolesnik and Zingas set up a GoFundMe page to raise enough money to fly Kolesnik's family members from Ukraine to Milan, so that they could watch him and Zingas compete. The duo ultimately raised over twenty-five thousand dollars, surpassing their page's goal. As a result, Kolesnik was able to fly his aunt, Snezhana, and sister-in-law, Irina, two family members that he had not been able to see in four years due to the Russo-Ukrainian war. However, Kolesnik's mother was forced to stay behind in the U.S due to concerns of immigration policies under Trump's second administration.

On 9 February, Zingas/Kolesnik competed in the rhythm dance segment at the 2026 Winter Olympics, placing sixth in that segment and scoring a personal best.

Two days later, Zingas/Kolesnik placed fifth in the free dance segment, earning another personal best and finishing fifth overall. "I mean, this is crazy! We’re top five at the Olympics!" said Zingas. "This is absolutely insane! If you told me one year ago today that I’d be top five at the Olympics, I would have said, ‘No, it’s a lie. It’s a straight-up lie.’"

The following month, Zingas/Kolesnik competed at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships where they won the bronze in their debut at this event after earning all-new personal best scores. “My brain is still processing what’s happening,” said Zingas. “All I can say is that I’m just so full of joy, and it’s a miracle night for us. I’m so excited, and I’m so grateful to be sitting up here with these guys. It feels so real, surreal.”

Programs

Ice dance with Emilea Zingas Season Rhythm dance Free dance Exhibition 2022–23 Boléro

Composed by Maurice Ravel choreo. by Benoît Richaud

Ice dance with Avonley Nguyen Season Short dance Free dance Exhibition 2017–18