Ilia Malinin Does Not Win a Medal in Figure Skating After Mistakes

Ilia Malinin, a top favorite for the gold medal in men's figure skating, made several errors during his performance. This led to him not being able to win a medal. Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan won the gold medal instead.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

An anticipated victory for American figure skater Ilia Malinin, widely known as the "Quad God," has dissolved into a significant upset at the Winter Olympics. Malinin, the favored competitor for the men's figure skating title, experienced a series of errors during his free skate performance, leading to his disqualification from medal contention. The event concluded with Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan securing a surprise gold medal.

Event Overview and Initial Standings

The men's figure skating competition culminated with Ilia Malinin entering the free skate with a lead established in the short program. However, his performance was marred by multiple falls and misexecuted jumps. This deviation from his typically flawless execution, particularly on complex quadruple jumps, resulted in a dramatic shift in the standings.

‘Quad God’ Ilia Malinin misses medal in figure skating in all-time Winter Olympics upset - 1

Malinin, a two-time world champion, was widely expected to win Olympic gold.

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

  • Malinin was undefeated for over two years leading into the event.

  • He had also notably landed a quadruple axel in competition prior to the Olympics, a feat rarely accomplished.

Malinin's Free Skate Performance

Reports indicate that Malinin struggled with several of his planned quadruple jumps. Key moments of difficulty included:

‘Quad God’ Ilia Malinin misses medal in figure skating in all-time Winter Olympics upset - 2

  • Quadruple Flip: Malinin reportedly "popped" his opening quadruple flip, meaning he did not complete the intended number of rotations.

  • Quadruple Axel Attempt: The highly anticipated attempt at a quadruple axel resulted in a single rotation, significantly reducing its point value.

  • Other Quad Jumps: Malinin also faced challenges with other quadruple jumps, including a quadruple lutz, and at least one instance where a planned jump was downgraded to a double.

  • Falls: Multiple sources confirm Malinin fell on at least two separate jumping passes.

Read More: Ilia Malinin Finishes Eighth at Olympics After Difficult Free Skate

"He bailed on the lutz, recovered to land the toe loop, then crashed again on the salchow." - The Independent

"Malinin only doubled a planned quad loop, throwing his timing off." - Mercury News

The errors in the free skate directly impacted Malinin's final score and overall placement.

Competition Results and Upsets

The unexpected performance from Malinin opened the door for other competitors. Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan, who was in fifth place after the short program, delivered a strong free skate to claim the gold medal. Other skaters who were contenders also faced difficulties:

‘Quad God’ Ilia Malinin misses medal in figure skating in all-time Winter Olympics upset - 3

  • Yuma Kagiyama (Japan), who was second after the short program, also fell during his routine.

  • Adam Siao Him Fa (France), in third place, also experienced falls.

The final standings saw Malinin finish outside the medal positions, an outcome considered a significant upset given his established dominance.

Skater's Reaction and Preparations

Post-competition statements and observations from the venue suggest Malinin was affected by the pressure. He expressed personal disappointment, with some reports noting visible emotion as he skated off the ice.

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‘Quad God’ Ilia Malinin misses medal in figure skating in all-time Winter Olympics upset - 4

  • Malinin reportedly felt overwhelmed by nerves at the start of his free skate.

  • Despite this, he had maintained a calm demeanor during his warm-ups, landing all practice jumps without issue.

  • He had worn attire emblazoned with "Quad God" during his backstage preparations, highlighting his self-perception and the expectations surrounding him.

"He puffed out his cheeks, as if to stop himself from crying." - ESPN

"Malinin said he was flooded with overwhelming nerves that he simply couldn't shake." - ESPN

The juxtaposition of a strong warm-up and a troubled competition performance raises questions about the skater's mental state under Olympic pressure.

Broader Context of "Quad God" Status

Malinin's moniker, "Quad God," stems from his exceptional ability to execute multiple quadruple jumps with high difficulty. His recent history includes a near two-and-a-half-year undefeated streak. This event marks his first significant loss in a major competition during that period, emphasizing the magnitude of the upset. His performance in the team event prior to the individual competition had been strong, contributing to Team USA's gold medal.

Analysis of Jump Execution

The failure to execute complex jumps consistently was central to Malinin's performance issues. Technical aspects of his program were compromised, affecting the scoring potential.

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  • Quad Lutz: Malinin fell on a quadruple lutz, impacting a planned combination.

  • Quad Loop: A planned quadruple loop was reportedly downgraded to a double, a significant point deduction.

  • Quad Salchow: Another planned quadruple jump, a quad salchow-triple axel combination, was executed only as a double salchow, followed by a fall.

The precision required for these high-value jumps, particularly under competitive stress, proved to be a critical factor.

Conclusion and Implications

The men's figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics delivered an unexpected outcome. Ilia Malinin's failure to secure a medal, after being a strong favorite, represents a significant development in the sport. The event underscores the unpredictable nature of elite athletic competitions and the intense pressure associated with the Olympic stage. The performance by Mikhail Shaidorov serves as a testament to strong execution and a successful strategic approach.

Findings:

  • Ilia Malinin finished eighth overall, missing the podium.

  • Mikhail Shaidorov won gold, with Yuma Kagiyama taking silver and Adam Siao Him Fa bronze. (Note: Silver and bronze medalists are inferred from Article 1 which states Shaidorov surged from fifth to gold, Kagiyama was second after short, and Siao Him Fa was third after short. Specific final placings for Kagiyama and Siao Him Fa are not explicitly stated as silver and bronze in provided text but are common outcomes in such scenarios.)

  • Malinin cited nerves as a contributing factor to his performance.

Implications:

  • The result reshapes perceptions of Malinin's invincibility in the sport.

  • It highlights the potential for athletes to falter under extreme pressure, even those with extensive success.

  • The competition demonstrated the emergence of new medal contenders on the Olympic stage.

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

Sources Used:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened to Ilia Malinin in the Olympics?
Ilia Malinin made several mistakes during his figure skating performance and did not win a medal. He was expected to do very well.
Q: Who won the gold medal?
Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan won the gold medal in men's figure skating.
Q: Why did Malinin make mistakes?
Malinin said he felt very nervous before his performance, which made it hard for him to skate well.
Q: Was this a surprise?
Yes, it was a big surprise because Malinin had been winning for a long time and is known for his difficult jumps.