Loena’s Last Skate

Loena Hendrickx © Pinterest

A Career That Changed Belgian Figure Skating

Belgian figure skater Loena Hendrickx has officially announced her retirement from competitive skating at the age of 26, bringing an end to one of the most influential careers in her country’s skating history.

Although her competitive journey has ended, her impact on Belgian figure skating will continue for many years. Through historic victories, resilience after injuries, and memorable performances, Hendrickx inspired a new generation of skaters and helped bring Belgium onto the international figure skating stage.

More Than Medals

Loena Hendrickx achieved numerous milestones that once seemed impossible for Belgian skating.

She became the first Belgian singles skater to win the European Championship, the first Belgian singles skater to earn World Championship medals, and the first Belgian figure skater since 1948 to stand on a World Championship podium. She also represented Belgium at three Olympic Winter Games and earned multiple national titles throughout her career.

These achievements transformed expectations for future Belgian athletes and demonstrated that smaller skating nations can compete with the world’s best.

A Career Built on Resilience

Hendrickx’s journey was far from easy.

Throughout her career she dealt with several serious injuries, including setbacks that forced her to miss the entire 2024–2025 pre-Olympic season. Many athletes struggle to return after such long absences, but she successfully fought her way back to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Her comeback highlighted one of the qualities that defined her career: persistence. Instead of allowing injuries to end her ambitions, she repeatedly rebuilt her skating from the ground up.

From Little Sister to National Star

Loena first entered skating because of her older brother, Jorik Hendrickx, himself a two-time Olympian.

After retiring from competition, Jorik became her coach and played a major role in developing the programs that later brought Loena international success. Their partnership became one of the most recognizable family coaching stories in modern figure skating.

Together they demonstrated how trust and long-term collaboration can contribute to athletic development.

An Interesting Fact

Belgium has never been considered one of the traditional powerhouses of figure skating.

Before Hendrickx’s breakthrough, Belgian skaters rarely appeared on major international podiums. Her World and European medals significantly increased media attention toward figure skating in Belgium and encouraged more young athletes to enter the sport.

(Source: International Skating Union)

What Made Her Skating Special?

Loena Hendrickx became known for combining strong technical skating with expressive choreography and emotional interpretation.

Rather than relying only on difficult jumps, she built programs that emphasized musicality, skating skills, and connection with the audience. Her performances often stood out because every movement matched the music naturally, creating complete performances instead of simply a collection of technical elements.

This balance between athletic difficulty and artistry became one of her greatest strengths.

Looking Beyond Competition

Retirement does not mean leaving skating behind.

Hendrickx plans to continue performing in ice shows while also coaching at skating camps. Having earned a university degree in early childhood education, she is also preparing for a completely new professional chapter outside elite sport.

Her decision reflects an increasingly common trend among elite athletes who begin developing careers beyond competition before retirement.

A Lasting Legacy

Loena Hendrickx leaves behind much more than medals.

She proved that athletes from countries with limited skating traditions can reach the very top through determination, intelligent coaching, and consistent development. Her success helped increase the visibility of figure skating throughout Belgium and inspired countless young skaters to dream bigger.

Many future Belgian champions will likely begin their own journeys because they first watched Loena compete.

Final Thoughts

Every generation has athletes who redefine what seems possible.

For Belgian figure skating, Loena Hendrickx became that athlete. Her career combined historic achievements, remarkable resilience, artistic performances, and genuine passion for the sport.

Although fans will no longer see her competing for international titles, her influence will remain visible every time a new Belgian skater steps confidently onto the ice believing that world-class success is possible.

Source: article on isu-skating.com, published June 29, 2026.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer