A figure skating duo representing Armenia has secured a landmark result for the firsttime, finishing in the top ten at the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague.

Karina Akopova and Nikita Rakhmanin placed eighth in the short programme on their debut appearance, performing to music from the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.

The Figure Skating Federation of Armenia hailed the result as historic, noting it is the first time an Armenian pair has broken into the top ten at the event.

Their performance also secures Armenia an additional pair entry at next year’s championships and earns two qualification spots for the senior Grand Prix series, awarded by the International Skating Union.