Ilia Malinin Falls in Olympics; Shaidorov Wins Gold

Ilia Malinin, a top favorite, had a difficult free skate and fell several times. This meant he could not win a medal. Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan skated well and won the gold medal. Japan's Yuma Kagiyama and Sato Shun won silver and bronze.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

A highly anticipated Olympic event took an unexpected turn as American figure skater Ilia Malinin, a favorite for the gold medal, experienced multiple falls during his free skate. This performance led to him missing the podium entirely, with Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov ultimately securing the Olympic gold.

U.S. star Malinin falls twice in free skate, allows Kazakhstan's Shaidorov to win Olympic gold - 1

The men's figure skating final at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan was a focal point for many, with Ilia Malinin of the United States widely expected to contend for the gold. Malinin, known for his prowess in executing quadruple jumps, had entered the free skate with a significant lead earned in the short program. However, the outcome of the competition shifted dramatically as Malinin encountered difficulties on the ice.

U.S. star Malinin falls twice in free skate, allows Kazakhstan's Shaidorov to win Olympic gold - 2

The event, held on Friday, February 13, saw Malinin begin his routine with a quadruple flip. Despite landing this initial jump, his performance was marked by several stumbles and falls, most notably on a quadruple lutz and a quad axel attempt where he appeared to pull up short. These errors significantly impacted his score, preventing him from maintaining his leading position.

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U.S. star Malinin falls twice in free skate, allows Kazakhstan's Shaidorov to win Olympic gold - 3

In contrast, Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan delivered a strong performance. While the specific details of his program are less extensively covered in the provided snippets, Shaidorov's consistency and successful execution of his elements allowed him to overtake Malinin and claim the gold medal. Other skaters, including Yuma Kagiyama and Sato Shun of Japan, reportedly secured silver and bronze medals respectively, according to one report.

U.S. star Malinin falls twice in free skate, allows Kazakhstan's Shaidorov to win Olympic gold - 4

Malinin's final placement was eighth place, a result that visibly affected him, as noted by his reaction of covering his face after his music ended and a general look of devastation. This outcome represents a significant disappointment for the skater, who had been billed as a strong contender and nicknamed the "Quadg0d."

Performance Analysis and Key Moments

  • Ilia Malinin's Struggles:

  • Began the free skate with a quadruple flip.

  • Fell on a quadruple lutz.

  • Attempted a quad axel but appeared to pull up short and stumbled on other jumps.

  • Scored 156.33 in the free skate, placing him eighth overall.

  • Had led after the short program with a five-point advantage.

  • Mikhail Shaidorov's Victory:

  • Secured the gold medal, capitalizing on Malinin's errors.

  • Other Medalists:

  • Japan's Yuma Kagiyama (silver) and Sato Shun (bronze) were mentioned as medalists.

Skater Reactions and Observations

Reports indicate Malinin expressed his disappointment through visible distress and a somber demeanor following his skate. His coach's commentary, while not detailed here, alluded to the need for a strong foundation, suggesting that Malinin's program may have lacked the necessary support for his complex jumps on this occasion. Another observer noted Malinin's fluid movement, even when "standing still," highlighting his inherent talent despite the errors.

Broader Olympic Context

The figure skating event was part of a broader schedule on February 13th at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Other competitions mentioned include skeleton events where Matt Weston won gold for Great Britain, and women's ice hockey. The event drew significant attention, underscoring the high stakes and emotional weight of Olympic figure skating.

Expert Commentary

Robin Cousins, an Olympic gold medalist in figure skating, offered a general observation on performance: "You can see when someone starts off if they'll be able to bring it back. There's so, so much to love, really beautifully choreographed but it needs the back up of the material. You need that foundation but he didn't have that today." This sentiment appears to align with the narrative of Malinin's performance, where impressive elements were not consistently supported by a flawless execution.

Conclusion and Implications

The men's figure skating final at the 2026 Winter Olympics delivered an unexpected result, with Ilia Malinin faltering in his bid for gold and finishing in eighth place. The event highlights the inherent risks and pressures of elite figure skating, where even a slight misstep can have significant consequences on the final standings. Mikhail Shaidorov's victory is a notable achievement for Kazakhstan. The competition's outcome underscores the delicate balance between attempting difficult, high-scoring elements and maintaining consistent execution under immense pressure. Malinin's performance, despite its disappointing end, still showcased moments of brilliance, as acknowledged by observers and his own reputation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the men's figure skating gold medal?
Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan won the gold medal. He skated well when Ilia Malinin made mistakes.
Q: What happened to Ilia Malinin?
Ilia Malinin, who was expected to win, fell several times during his skate. He finished in eighth place and did not get a medal.
Q: Who won the silver and bronze medals?
Reports say Yuma Kagiyama of Japan won the silver medal and Sato Shun of Japan won the bronze medal.
Q: Where did this event happen?
The men's figure skating final took place at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.