Andrew Torgashev is one of the skilled and talented skaters representing the USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and he already skated to a personal best score in the men’s singles short program in his Olympic debut. But, what’s the story behind Torgashev’s personal life, including his parents, dating status and “Pizza King” nickname?
Torgashev is garnering lots of attention as he continues his journey in the 2026 Olympics in Milan, Italy. Get to know him better with these fast facts about the athlete and his life.
Skating is in the Family, Since Andrew Torgashev’s Parents Are Both Accomplished Former Soviet Figure Skaters
Andrew Torgashev’s parents are Artem Torgashev and Ilona Melnichenko. They’re both prized former Soviet figure skaters who have been coaching him to his place in the sport. Around the mimd-1990s, they immigrated to the U.S. around 1995 and coached in Florida, and that’s where Andrew trained. His mother was a World Junior ice dance champion, and his father was a Junior World medalist in pairs.
Where Did Andrew Torgashev Get His ‘Pizza King’ Nickname?
Torgashev is often called the “Pizza King.” So, where did he get that nickname? It surfaced after he reportedly ate pizza for 53 consecutive days in 2022 to help regain his quad toe loop. He shared this name on social media a bunch, and it took on.
“My relationship with pizza started (in) 2022,” Torgashez said in January 2026 at U.S. Nationals. “I ended up losing weight and getting my quad toe loop back during this time. So it was successful. Since then, I’ve ramped down the amount of pizzas I eat.”
Andrew Torgashev Dating Status
Heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics, Torgashev is not publicly dating anyone. There are multiple reports that he e recently took to social media to say that he went through a breakup with his girlfriend and that it was emotionally difficult on him, but nothing solid. So, either way, he appears to be single and unattached in Milan, Italy.
What’s more clear is that he’s already a winner. He’s already the 2024 Grand Prix de France bronze medalist, 2025 and 2026 U.S. national silver medalist, 2019 Asian Open Trophy silver medalist, the 2016 Tallinn Trophy bronze medalist and the 2015 U.S. national junior champion.
He Admits Training Can Be ‘Stressful’
In a January 2025 interview with Absolute Skating, he talked about training and the work that goes into being an Olympic athlete.
“Training can be so stressful at times,” he said. “Very stressful, very emotional. Brandon (Frazier, American pair skater and 2022 World Champion with Alexa Knierim – ed) is here with me, and I told him: ‘I want to make it feel like all my training has been worth it, that all this stress and exhaustion have been for a reason. I want to skate and be able to say I’m so happy I pushed myself to this level, that I feel trained and ready.'”
He added at the time, “Now, I just want to get home, prepare even more for Nationals, and make the Worlds Team.”
He Appears to Be a Classic Rock Fan
What kind of music skaters use for their routines says a lot about them. According to NBC Sports, Torgashev skated to “Maybe I Maybe You” performed by Scorpions in his first Olympic appearance, so he’s likely a classic rock fan.
Andrew Torgashev’s Parents & Dating Status: 5 Fast Facts