SCRATCH COLUMNIST

Nailympia NEWS

Immerse in competition highlights, interviews & points to note from the Nailympia realm, with its global director,

ALEX FOX

It is with enormous pride and joy that I deliver this month’s column, which features results from two Nailympia competitions run on opposite sides of the world. Between 20 May and 2 June, Nailympia saw its widest delivery of architecture and art in motion to date. The competitions brought nations together and celebrated nail artists and technical prowess across the world.

Nailympia China 2026 : The results

The second edition of Nailympia China , hosted by Kimi Zhang and her team, took place at the Elephoto building in Shanghai: a multi-functional space that housed the competition arena, display area for entries, brand activations and a runway show for nails over three days: 20, 21 and 22 May. It welcomed 132 nail professionals representing 14 countries across 14 categories: eight arena and six nail art turn-ins.

“Nailympia China was one of the most inspiring artistic experiences I’ve had in years,” comments Valérie Ducharme, award-winning nail artist, educator & international judge. “The level of care, creativity, organisation and human connection throughout the event was extraordinary, and a true celebration of the nail community and talents within it.”

Nailympia international judge, Zrinka Vuksan-Bolancha, highlights: “Nailympia is more than a competition. It’s a place where passion, artistry, professionalism and human connection come together in a truly special way.

“What makes Nailympia special is that beyond high standards and professionalism, there’s heart behind it. Judges care about the competitors and judge fairly, honestly and with discipline, but also understand the emotions, pressure and dedication behind every set of nails presented on the competition floor.

“Support, encouragement, respect and even a few simple words at the right moment can mean everything to a competitor - and I believe that balance between professionalism and humanity is what makes Nailympia so unique.”

INDIVIDUAL TOP SCORER Nakayama Ryuji – China & Japan – 1,079 points

WINNER OF WINNERS

Division 1 Ann Bui – Australia

Division 2 Yang Xiaoqin – China

ART WINNER OF WINNERS Pitt – Hong Kong, China

Division 3 Genki Itou – Japan

TEAM TROPHY Asian Superstar Luminous Alliance (Nakayama Ryuji, Pitt, Gigi, Zoe, Winnie & Huang Xin)

THE JUDGES Head judge: Anneke van der Sar (The Netherlands); head floor judges: Jacqui O’Sullivan (UK) and Liesbeth van Langelaan (The Netherlands). Anna Lee (UK/China); Catherine Wong (Singapore); Damon Ho (USA/Vietnam); Elena Maltseva (Tunisia); Elena Popova (Russian Federation); Joanna Bandurska (Poland); Max Braga (Italy); Mino Vo (UK/Vietnam); Oana Flutur (Romania); Sandy Cheung (China); Stephy Pang (Malaysia); Tatiana Litvinov (Romania); Valérie Ducharme (Canada); Zrinka Vuksan Bolancha (Canada/Croatia). Sean O’Sullivan (UK) and Helena Biggs (UK) administered scoring for the event.

“Competitions like Nailympia push artists far beyond technique. They build confidence, discipline, creativity and connection. What makes Nailympia so special is that it creates an environment where artists can grow, be inspired and feel truly seen within the industry.”

Valérie Ducharme, award-winning nail artist, educator & international judge – Canada

Flat Art Boxed – Parallel Universe entry by Kazakhstan’s Ainabekova Arailym.

Full Cover Creative nails by Division 3 winner, Pitt – Hong Kong, China.

To Stiletto & Beyond entry by Division 3 winner, Anna Shcherbakova.

Nailympia Orlando 2026 : The results

The seventh edition of Nailympia Orlando took place at Premiere Orlando , Florida, on 31 May and 1 June, and welcomed the biggest attendance in the region to date: 102 competitors from 13 countries totalling 329 entries. The large arena enjoyed a bountiful buzz as spectators observed not only creativity and architecture in motion, but feasted their eyes on the abundant nail art entries for the six turn-in competitions and four poster categories. With so much to enjoy, the arena was loud and proud with an army of judges offering their expertise and, when off duty, chatting to and inspiring nail artists in attendance.

Head judge, Alisha Rimando, reflects: “It was an amazing experience to serve as head judge for Nailympia Orlando. It’s incredible to see the event growing and witness the level of artistry advance year after year. The nail art turn-in categories were absolutely jaw-dropping and the arena competitions showcased artists pushing creativity, precision and technical skill to the next level. It’s inspiring to witness the passion within our industry at each Nailympia, and I can’t wait to see what 2027 holds.”

It was a sensational event enhanced further by the outstanding prizes presented to every gold medallist and trophy winner by headline sponsor, Billionaire Nails.

WINNER OF WINNERS

INDIVIDUAL TOP SCORER Francesca Paliotto – Italy – 1,060 points

Division 1 Yen Bui – USA

Division 2 Maria Teresa Concu – Italy

ART WINNER OF WINNERS Yen Bui – USA

Division 3 Francesca Paliotto – Italy

TOP USA TECH Duong Bui

Stiletto Nails by Division 3 competitor, Valentina Federici (Italy).

THE JUDGES

Head judge: Alisha Rimando (USA); Abbie Nguyen (USA); Ami McClure (USA); Anastasia Huzhevnikova (USA); Anastasiia Rozdobutko (USA); Anna Sosina (USA); Calvin Jones (USA); Christine Nguyen (USA); Damon Ho (USA); Gina Silvestro (USA); Giselle Caballero (Canada/Mexico); Hazel Dixon (UK); Henry Pham (Canada); Hirsch Hunty (USA); Jazmin Celine Gresham (USA); Jennie Nippard (USA); Jenny Bui (USA); John Hauk (USA); Kirsty Meakin (UK); Kym Moody (UK); Lisa Boone (USA); Marilyn Garcia (USA); Michelle Soto (Puerto Rico/USA); Mino Vo (UK/Vietnam); Mr Luis (USA); Scarlett Senter (UK); Svitlana Motyl (USA); Tatiana Dudiak (USA); Terrance Terry (USA); Traci Pinto (USA); Yuliia Kovalchuk (USA). Sarah Akhtyrska (USA). Jessica Briarmoon (USA), Anna Donlon (USA) and Helena Biggs (UK) administered scoring for the event.

MANICURE POSTER

Division 1 1st – Iryna Shemet – USA 2nd – Evgeniia Chernigina – Egypt 3rd – Inna Bohdan – USA Division 2 1st – Daryna Khalepa – USA 2nd – Zhanna Fedorenko – USA 3rd – Uliana Vadiuk – USA Division 3 1st – Oksana Viriutina – USA 2nd – Karyna Kliushyk – USA 3rd – Liudmyla Kermet – USA

PEDICURE POSTER

Division 1 3rd – Inna Bohdan – USA 2nd – Shamel Robinson – USA 1st – Iryna Shemet – USA Division 2 1st – Olena Fedorchenko – USA 2nd – Uliana Vadiuk – USA 3rd – Olha Khlomova – USA Division 3 1st – Oksana Viriutina – USA 2nd – Olena Brylova – USA 3rd – Liudmyla Keremet – USA

GEL POLISH MANICURE

Division 1 1st – Kateryna Tabota – USA 2nd – Melant Edenfield – USA Division 2 1st – Yanin Echevarria – USA 2nd – Olha Khlomova – USA 3rd – Yevheniia Alienikova – USA Division 3 1st – Diana Manucharian – USA 2nd – Maksymilian Borowy – Ireland 3rd – Svitlana Palchuk – USA

REALITY NAILS

Division 1 1st – Thi Linh Nhi Nguyen – USA 2nd – Elizabeth Baez – USA 3rd – Yen Bui – USA

Division 2 1st – Maria Teresa Concu – Italy 2nd – Yanin Echevarria – USA 3rd – Be Lee – USA

Division 3 1st – Phi Dang – USA 2nd – Francesca Paliotto – Italy 3rd – Maksymilian Borowy – Ireland

RUNWAY NAILS

Division 1 1st – Iryna Shemet – USA 2nd – Yen Bui – USA 3rd – Kristina Kolisnyk – USA Division 2 1st – Yevheniia Alieinikova – USA 2nd – Daryna Khalepa – USA 3rd – Uliana Vadiuk – USA Division 3 1st – Kelsey McQuay – USA 2nd – Halyna Kaliugina – USA 3rd – Veronica Luviano – USA

AI NAIL VISION STYLING POSTER

Division 1 1st – Hanna Drana – USA 2nd – Danica Hargett – USA 3rd – Kristina Kolisnyk – USA Division 2 1st – Uliana Vadiuk – USA 2nd – Duong Bui – USA 3rd – Daryna Khalepa – USA Division 3 1st – Karyna Kyliushyk – USA 2nd – Halyna Kaliugina – USA 3rd – Liudmyla Keremet – USA

EXTREME NAIL STYLING POSTER

Division 1 1st – Iryna Shemet – USA 2nd – Alina Didenko – USA 3rd – Nora David – Hungary Division 2 1st – Diana Suleac – Italy 2nd – Iuliia Pashina – USA 3rd – Olha Khlomova – USA Division 3 1st – Georgina Takacs – UK 2nd – Anita Chahal-Millar – UK 3rd – Vira Bushta – USA

FLAT ART BOXED

Division 1 1st – Thi Linh Nhi Nguyen – USA 2nd – Hanna Drana – USA 3rd – Makayla Reed – USA Division 2 1st – Hoa Huynh – Canada 2nd – Inessa Ostavnienko – USA 3rd – Tetiana Lvovska – USA Division 3 1st – Liudmyla Komlieva – USA 2nd – Phi Dang – USA 3rd – Vinh Le – USA

TO STILETTO & BEYOND

Division 1 1st – Iryna Shemet – USA 2nd – Yen Bui – USA 3rd – Inna Alieksieieva – USA Division 2 1st – Iuliia Pashina – USA 2nd – Duong Bui – USA 3rd – Tetiana Lvovska – USA Division 3 1st – Liudmyla Keremet – USA 2nd – Elena Soldatenkova – USA 3rd – Mariana Dolganova – USA

SALON NAILS

Division 1 1st – Yen Bui – USA Division 2 1st – Maria Teresa Concu – Italy 2nd – Marilyn Fontanez – Puerto Rico 3rd – Duong Bui – USA

Division 3 1st – Melissa Monaco – Italy 2nd – Francesca Paliotto – Italy 3rd – Valentina Federici – Italy

‘‘ The nail art turn-in categories were absolutely jaw-dropping and the arena competitions ‘‘ showcased artists pushing creativity, precision and technical skill to the next level.

Alisha Rimando

Flat Art Boxed nails by Division 3 champion, Liudmyla Komlieva (USA).

Stiletto Nails by Italy’s Francesca Paliotto – Division 3.

Joy of Nails by Italy’s Maria Teresa Concu – Division 2.

Runway Nails by Iryna Shemet (USA) – Division 1.

Salon Nails by Italy’s Melissa Monaco – Division 3.

THE JOY OF NAILS

Division 1 1st – Yen Bui – USA 2nd – Inna Alieksieieva – USA 3rd – Melant Edenfield – USA Division 2 1st – Maria Teresa Concu – Italy 2nd – Olena Fedorchenko – USA 3rd – Uliana Vadiuk – USA Division 3 1st – Francesca Paliotto – Italy 2nd – Valentina Federici – Italy 3rd – Monia Martellini – Switzerland

L&P ACRYLIC COMPETITION NAILS

Division 1 1st – Yen Bui – USA

Division 2 1st – Maria Teresa Concu – Italy 2nd – Duong Bui – USA 3rd – Marilyn Fontanez – Puerto Rico Division 3 1st – Francesca Paliotto – Italy 2nd – Valentina Federici – Italy 3rd – Melissa Monaco – Italy

UV GEL COMPETITION NAILS

Division 1 1st – Yen Bui – USA

Division 2 1st – Maria Teresa Concu – Italy 2nd – Marilyn Fontanez – Puerto Rico 3rd – Uliana Vadiuk – USA Division 3 1st – Francesca Paliotto – Italy 2nd – Valentina Federici – Italy 3rd – Melissa Monaco – Italy

STILETTO NAILS

Division 1 1st – Yen Bui – USA Division 2 1st – Maria Teresa Concu – Italy 2nd – Duong Bui – USA 3rd – Eric Vega – Puerto Rico Division 3 1st – Francesca Paliotto – Italy 2nd – Valentina Federici – Italy 3rd – Monia Martellini – Switzerland

To register your interest in Nailympia’s upcoming events, visit bit.ly/nailympia-ryi-2026 or scan here

The Nailympia Competitions 2026 global campaign imagery is courtesy of: Nails: Elena Maltseva @elena_maltseva_nail

Coordinator: Elena Popova @popovaelena_nfp

Photographer: Elena Gelberg @pena_litrova

Make-up artist: Varvara Tabutarova @varvara_tabu

Hair stylist: Ksenia Golubeva @kcenja_golubeva

Model: Elizaveta Plotnikova @plotnikova_elizabet

For information about Nailympia Competitions, including how to enter, visit www.nailympia.com

/Nailympia @nailympiacompetitions

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