An Inner West sporting story years in the making is unfolding on the world stage, with local athlete Hektor Giotopoulos Moore currently representing Australia at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Hektor, who was named Sportsperson of the Year at Holman Barnes Group’s Magpie Sports Awards in 2023, is competing in both the Pairs and Free Skate events alongside skating partner Anastasiia Golubeva, marking a major milestone for Australian figure skating and the Inner West community that has supported him from the very beginning.
The moment carries special meaning for Wests Ashfield and the local sporting community. When the Magpie Sports Awards returned in 2023 after a three-year hiatus, Hektor’s recognition stood out as a powerful reminder of what the awards have celebrated for more than six decades: dedication, perseverance and the impact of community backing.
Born in 2002 and raised between Melbourne and Sydney, Hektor first stepped onto the ice through his siblings. What began as a childhood interest quickly developed into a serious pursuit, with Hektor drawn to the strength, trust and discipline required in pair skating. By the age of nine, he was training at the Sydney Figure Skating Club, laying the foundations for an elite career built on consistency and hard work.
His partnership with Anastasiia, formed around 2019 and 2020, proved pivotal. Together, they progressed through the junior ranks before transitioning into senior competition, delivering consistent international results and top-10 finishes at World Championships, firmly placing Australia on the global figure skating map.
In 2024, the pair made history by winning Australia’s first ever senior ISU Grand Prix medal, a breakthrough achievement that signalled their arrival on the world stage and set the path toward Olympic qualification.
Now competing at Milano Cortina, Hektor’s journey stands as a powerful example of what can grow from local beginnings when talent is recognised and supported.
For Wests Ashfield, the story underscores the enduring importance of grassroots sporting programs. Now in its 62nd year, the Magpie Sports Awards continues to champion emerging athletes through recognition and financial support, helping turn local potential into international achievement.
As Hektor takes to Olympic ice, he does so carrying not only his own ambitions, but the pride of Wests Ashfield and Holman Barnes Group cheering him on back home.
