The ISU World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union (ISU). It is the highest level of competition in the sport, and skaters from all over the world compete for the title of World Champion.
The first ISU World Figure Skating Championships were held in 1896 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The competition has been held annually ever since, with the exception of the years 1915-1922 and 1940-1946, when it was canceled due to World War I and World War II, respectively. The most successful skater in the history of the competition is Sweden’s Gillis Grafstrm, who won five gold medals between 1922 and 1936. The most successful female skater is Sonja Henie of Norway, who won three gold medals between 1927 and 1936.
