Ilia Malinin Finishes Eighth at Olympics After Difficult Free Skate

American figure skater Ilia Malinin had a tough free skate at the Winter Olympics. He fell on jumps and finished in eighth place. Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan won the gold medal.
By Newsroom | Figure Skating, Winter Olympics |

Ilia Malinin, a prominent figure skater from the United States, experienced a difficult free skate at the Winter Olympics, resulting in an eighth-place finish and missing the podium. Malinin, often referred to as the "Quad God" due to his mastery of quadruple jumps, faced unexpected challenges during his routine. Despite entering the competition with high expectations, his performance was marked by falls and errors, leading to significant point deductions. The outcome represented a stark contrast to his typical performances, leaving him visibly emotional.

Performance Details and Early Expectations

Malinin's free skate program included several planned quadruple jumps, a hallmark of his competitive strategy. He began with a quadruple flip and attempted a quadruple axel, a jump he is known for landing. However, his execution deviated from his plan.

US skating star Ilia Malinin fights back tears after 'Quad God' FALLS and misses medal in nightmare Winter Olympic collapse - 1

  • Quad Loop: Malinin's planned quadruple loop was reduced to a double, disrupting his program's rhythm and scoring potential.

  • Quad Lutz: He fell during an attempt at a quadruple Lutz. This error also prevented him from completing a subsequent combination jump, the quad Lutz-triple toe loop, which would have added substantial points.

  • Final Jump Pass: In his final jumping sequence, intended to be a quad Salchow-triple Axel, he performed only a double Salchow and fell.

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These execution errors resulted in substantial point deductions, costing him 72 points. Before his skate, Malinin had been in first place. His warm-up session showed no signs of the difficulties to come, with reports indicating he executed all practice jumps cleanly.

Upset Victory and Medalists

The unexpected performance by Malinin opened the door for other competitors. Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan secured the gold medal in a surprising upset. Shaidorov delivered a performance that earned him his country's first figure skating medal at the Winter Olympics.

US skating star Ilia Malinin fights back tears after 'Quad God' FALLS and misses medal in nightmare Winter Olympic collapse - 2
SkaterCountryMedal
Mikhail ShaidorovKazakhstanGold
Yuzuru HanyuJapanSilver
Shun SatoJapanBronze

Note: Yuzuru Hanyu and Shun Sato are mentioned as medalists in Article 1, but other sources focus on Shaidorov's gold. Further investigation into the full medal standings is required.

Malinin's Reaction and Post-Skate Comments

Upon finishing his routine, Malinin's distress was evident, with his head sinking into his hands and him fighting back tears as he left the ice. Later, he expressed his disappointment, telling reporters, "I blew it." He also acknowledged the significant pressure of the Olympic stage, admitting it was at a level he had not anticipated. Despite his personal disappointment, Malinin's actions after the results were announced drew positive attention; he was observed congratulating Shaidorov, the gold medalist, with a warm embrace.

Read More: Shaidorov Wins Olympic Figure Skating Gold; Malinin Struggles

US skating star Ilia Malinin fights back tears after 'Quad God' FALLS and misses medal in nightmare Winter Olympic collapse - 3

Broader Context of the Competition

The men's figure skating free skate was a highly anticipated event, with Malinin expected to contend for the gold medal. His reputation as the "Quad God" preceded him, and he had planned a routine that included a record-tying seven quadruple jumps. His performance in the team event had also contributed to expectations of a strong individual showing. However, the free skate demonstrated that even highly skilled athletes can experience unexpected challenges on the Olympic stage.

  • The pressure at the Olympics proved to be a significant factor.

  • Malinin's performance deviated sharply from his usual high standard.

  • An unexpected competitor, Mikhail Shaidorov, achieved a historic victory.

Analysis of Performance Deviations

The discrepancies between Malinin's warm-up performance and his competitive skate raise questions about the factors influencing his execution.

Read More: Surya Bonaly's Olympic Backflip: Was It Fair?

US skating star Ilia Malinin fights back tears after 'Quad God' FALLS and misses medal in nightmare Winter Olympic collapse - 4

  • Planned vs. Executed Jumps: The reduction of a planned quad loop to a double, a fall on the quad Lutz, and a fall on a double Salchow indicate a significant loss of control and precision.

  • Impact of Errors: The cumulative effect of these mistakes led to substantial point deductions, fundamentally altering his standing in the competition.

  • Psychological Factors: Reports suggest Malinin felt unprepared for the specific level of pressure at the Olympics. Could this pressure have affected his timing and confidence?

  • Technical Execution: While Malinin is known for his technical prowess, the falls suggest issues with jump entry, rotation, or landing mechanics on this particular occasion.

Conclusion and Future Implications

Ilia Malinin's performance at the Winter Olympics concluded with an eighth-place finish, a result that deviated significantly from pre-competition expectations. The event underscored the unpredictable nature of elite sports, where even the most accomplished athletes can face setbacks. Malinin's emotional reaction and subsequent comments highlight the personal impact of such an outcome. His sportsmanship in congratulating the winner, however, has been noted.

Read More: Ilia Malinin Falls in Olympics; Shaidorov Wins Gold

Moving forward, Malinin's focus will likely return to refining his technical execution and managing the pressures of major international competitions. The success of Mikhail Shaidorov also provides a compelling narrative of an unexpected champion emerging from the event.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Ilia Malinin finish eighth?
He fell on several jumps during his free skate, which caused him to lose many points. This was a surprise because he usually skates very well.
Q: Who won the gold medal?
Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan won the gold medal. This was a surprise win for his country.
Q: How did Malinin feel after his skate?
He was very sad and cried because he was disappointed with his performance. He said he "blew it."
Q: What jumps did Malinin miss or fall on?
He fell on a quadruple Lutz jump and also fell on a double Salchow. He also did fewer jumps than planned.