Guillaume Cizeron, the five-time world champion ice dancer, will return to competitive skating after a two-year absence, partnering with rising French talent Maeva Chouquet for the 2024-25 season.
The 30-year-old French skater, who captured Olympic gold in 2022 alongside longtime partner Gabriella Papadakis before their retirement, made the announcement through the French Ice Sports Federation on Tuesday. Cizeron and Chouquet will make their competitive debut at Skate Canada International in October.
New Partnership Takes Shape
Cizeron’s decision to return stems from his desire to mentor the next generation of French ice dancers while competing at the highest level. Chouquet, 22, previously competed with partner Valentin Wyer before their partnership ended following the 2023 European Championships.
“Working with Guillaume has already transformed my understanding of the sport,” Chouquet said in a statement released by the federation. “His experience and attention to detail are unmatched.”
The pairing began training together in Lyon under coach Romain Haguenauer, who previously guided Cizeron and Papadakis to their historic achievements. Haguenauer confirmed the duo has been working together since April, developing programs for both the rhythm dance and free dance segments.
Record-Breaking Legacy
Cizeron’s competitive resume includes five consecutive world titles from 2018-2022, six European championships, and that memorable Olympic gold medal performance in Beijing. He and Papadakis revolutionized ice dancing with their innovative choreography and technical precision, setting multiple world record scores during their dominant run.
Their free dance world record of 136.15 points, set at the 2022 Olympics, still stands as the highest score ever recorded in the discipline. The pair also holds rhythm dance and combined total world records.
Following their retirement announcement in April 2022, Cizeron spent time coaching younger skaters while Papadakis pursued professional opportunities. Neither skater had hinted at a competitive return until recent weeks.
French Ice Dancing Resurgence
France’s ice dancing program has maintained its strength despite the retirement of its marquee stars. Current world bronze medalists Evgenia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud lead the French contingent, while junior champions Naomie Massot and Kévin Aymoz show promise for future international success.
Cizeron’s return adds immediate credibility to France’s 2026 Olympic preparations. The Milan-Cortina Games represent a realistic medal opportunity for the new partnership, given Cizeron’s technical expertise and Chouquet’s athletic ability.
“Guillaume brings a championship mentality that very few athletes possess,” said Didier Gailhaguet, president of the French Ice Sports Federation. “His return elevates not just his own competitive prospects but the entire French program.”
Technical Challenges Ahead
The partnership faces significant hurdles before reaching world championship caliber. Ice dancing requires years of development between partners to master the intricate timing and connection judges demand at elite levels.
Cizeron and Chouquet must develop new lifts, spins and step sequences that showcase both skaters’ strengths while meeting updated technical requirements implemented since 2022. The International Skating Union introduced stricter guidelines for pattern dances and increased emphasis on skating skills.
Their first competition at Skate Canada will provide crucial feedback from international judges. The Grand Prix assignment represents a significant test against established partnerships like Italy’s Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri, who claimed silver at last year’s world championships.
Training footage shared by the French federation shows the pair working on complex rotational lifts and synchronized step sequences. Chouquet’s previous partnership emphasized power and speed, elements that complement Cizeron’s refined technique and musical interpretation.
The duo plans to compete at all six Grand Prix assignments leading to December’s Grand Prix Final in Beijing, where Cizeron previously claimed gold three times with Papadakis.
