Ilia Malinin Finishes Eighth in Olympic Figure Skating

American figure skater Ilia Malinin, who was expected to win, finished eighth in the men's figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He fell several times during his free skate. Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan won the gold medal.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

Unexpected Outcome for Pre-Event Favorite

American figure skater Ilia Malinin, widely considered a strong contender for the gold medal, concluded the 2026 Winter Olympics men's figure skating competition in eighth place. This result was described as a "shock" and a "stunner" by multiple news outlets, particularly given Malinin's status as the two-time reigning world champion. His performance in the free skate was marked by multiple falls, significantly impacting his overall score.

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Context of the Competition

Heading into the final skate, Malinin was positioned as a near-certain medalist. Reports indicate he had been in first place after the men's short program. The free skate, however, proved to be a turning point. Several articles highlight that other top contenders also experienced errors, which initially seemed to create a path for Malinin. Despite this, his own performance errors prevented him from reaching the podium.

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  • Key Actors:

  • Ilia Malinin (USA): The pre-competition favorite.

  • Mikhail Shaidorov (Kazakhstan): The eventual gold medalist.

  • Yuma Kagiyama (Japan): Silver medalist.

  • Shun Sato (Japan): Bronze medalist.

  • Timeline of Events:

  • Malinin held first place after the short program.

  • During the free skate, Malinin fell on multiple jumps, including a quadruple Lutz and at least one other attempt.

  • Malinin's final score placed him eighth.

  • Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan secured the gold medal, marking a historic win for his country.

Evidence of Performance and Outcome

Multiple sources confirm the sequence of events and the final standings.

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  • Malinin fell multiple times during his free skate, with reports specifically mentioning falls on a quadruple Lutz and a quadruple flip attempt. Some accounts also note he "popped" a quad axel attempt.

  • His performance in the free skate resulted in a score of 156.33.

  • This score contributed to a total score of 264.49, placing him in eighth position overall.

  • Malinin's reaction to his performance included covering his face in anguish and later being seen in tears.

  • Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov won the gold medal. Japan's Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato took silver and bronze, respectively.

Read More: Shaidorov Wins Olympic Gold in Surprise Figure Skating Win

"Malinin fell twice in his free skate and scored 156.33 for a total score of 264.49, good for eighth place." – The Detroit News

"USA’s Ilia Malinin finishes in shocking eighth place at Winter Olympics 2026. The two-time reigning world champion from the United States had been considered a near lock for gold ahead of these Olympic Winter Games." – Olympics.com

"He fell on his quadruple lutz. […] Malinin finished the free skate with a score of 156.33, good for eighth place." – ESPN

Analysis of Key Moments

Malinin's Falls and Technical Execution

The critical factor in Malinin's eighth-place finish appears to be the multiple falls during his free skate. Sources indicate he attempted difficult jumps, including quad attempts and a quad axel, but failed to execute them cleanly.

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  • Reports indicate Malinin lost approximately 72 points on his two falls alone.

  • While he landed some jumps successfully, such as a quadruple flip at the start of his program and a triple axel, the errors overshadowed his clean elements.

  • His attempt at a quadruple axel, a jump he has successfully landed in previous competitions, was noted as being "pulled up short" on.

The Broader Competitive Landscape

The competition's outcome was also shaped by the performances of other skaters. Reports suggest that some of Malinin's closest competitors had also made errors in their performances.

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  • Was Malinin's lead after the short program significant enough that a clean, albeit less technically demanding, free skate would have secured him a medal, even with errors from others?

  • Did the pressure of being the favorite affect Malinin's execution of his program?

Emotional Reaction to the Result

Malinin's visible distress after the competition is a recurring theme in the reports. His reaction underscores the significant personal impact of the outcome.

  • He was described as having an "anguished face" after his music ended.

  • Tears were observed streaming down his face as he finished his final moves and later as he awaited the final scores.

  • This emotional response was captured by media outlets and shared with the public, reflecting the high stakes of the event.

Expert Commentary

While direct quotes from independent experts analyzing Malinin's specific performance are limited in the provided data, commentary from former skaters and analysts touches upon his approach.

Read More: Shaidorov Wins Gold, Malinin Falls in Figure Skating Surprise

  • Surya Bonaly, a former figure skater, referred to Malinin as a "warrior" in a pre-event interview, suggesting an awareness of his challenging routines. (Source 16, though its summary was short).

  • The nickname "Quadg0d," attributed to Malinin due to his technical prowess, highlights the high expectations placed upon him. His inability to medal has been framed as a significant departure from this established reputation.

Conclusion and Implications

The 2026 Winter Olympics men's figure skating competition saw an unexpected outcome for Ilia Malinin, who finished in eighth place after a free skate marred by multiple falls. This result fell short of the gold medal expectations held by many, including himself.

  • Key Findings:

  • Malinin's performance was significantly impacted by falls on challenging jumps.

  • Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov won gold, with Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato of Japan taking silver and bronze.

  • Malinin's emotional reaction signaled the personal weight of the result.

  • Implications:

  • The event serves as a stark reminder that even top athletes can experience unexpected challenges under competitive pressure.

  • Malinin's performance raises questions about the balance between attempting highly difficult elements and ensuring clean execution in major competitions.

  • The historic gold for Kazakhstan signifies a broader shift and growing competitiveness in international figure skating.

  • Next Steps:

  • Further analysis of Malinin's technical scores, including the point deductions for falls, would provide a more detailed understanding of the performance's impact.

  • Official statements or interviews from Malinin and his coaching team would offer direct insight into his perspective on the event and future plans.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Ilia Malinin finish eighth?
He fell multiple times during his free skate program. These mistakes lowered his score significantly.
Q: Who won the gold medal?
Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan won the gold medal. Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato from Japan won silver and bronze.
Q: Was Malinin expected to win?
Yes, Ilia Malinin was a favorite to win the gold medal. He was the two-time world champion and was in first place after the short program.