Ilia Malinin Finishes Eighth in Olympics After Mistakes

American figure skater Ilia Malinin had a surprising result at the Olympics, finishing eighth. He was in first place after the short program but made mistakes in his free skate.
By Newsroom | Figure Skating, Olympics |

High Stakes Lead to Unforeseen Outcome

American figure skater Ilia Malinin, widely considered a strong contender for the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, experienced a significant setback in the men's individual figure skating event. Despite a commanding lead after the short program, Malinin's free skate performance was marked by multiple falls and errors, causing him to drop to eighth place. This result ended his two-year unbeaten streak and defied expectations of a medal finish.

Event Overview and Key Developments

The men's figure skating competition concluded with unexpected results.

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  • Short Program Dominance: Malinin had established a notable five-point lead heading into the free skate, showcasing a strong performance in the initial segment.

  • Free Skate Struggles: During his free skate, Malinin fell on at least two occasions, including attempts at a quadruple axel and a quadruple loop, which he could only complete as a double.

  • Medalists: Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov secured the gold medal with a score of 291.58. Japan's Yuma Kagiyama took silver with 280.06 points, and his teammate Shun Sato earned bronze with 274.90 points.

  • Malinin's Final Placement: Malinin finished in eighth place with a score of 264.49.

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

The outcome was particularly surprising given Malinin's status as the two-time reigning world champion and his prior consistent success in major competitions. His emotional reaction on the ice, covering his face in anguish, underscored the disappointment of the result.

Evidence of Performance Discrepancies

Data from the event highlights the contrast between Malinin's short and free programs.

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  • Pre-Free Skate Advantage: Malinin held a lead of over five points after the short program, a position typically indicative of strong medal potential.

  • Errors in Free Skate: Reports indicate multiple falls and uncharacteristic mistakes, such as "popping" the quad axel and downgrading the quadruple loop.

  • Final Scores:

  • SkaterCountryScorePlacement
    Mikhail ShaidorovKazakhstan291.58Gold
    Yuma KagiyamaJapan280.06Silver
    Shun SatoJapan274.90Bronze
    Ilia MalininUSA264.49Eighth

The Impact of the Short Program Lead

Malinin's initial success in the short program placed him in a favorable position. This strong start was crucial, as it provided a buffer against potential errors in the free skate. However, the subsequent performance in the free skate negated this advantage.

Performance Context: Previous Successes and Expectations

Leading into the Olympics, Malinin had an exceptional track record.

Read More: 2026 Winter Olympics: Some Athletes Accused of Cheating

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  • Unbeaten Streak: He had maintained an unbeaten streak for over two years, encompassing 14 competitions, including two consecutive world championships.

  • "Near Lock" for Gold: His consistent victories and the successful execution of difficult jumps, including the quad axel, had led many to regard him as the presumptive gold medalist.

  • Team Event Performance: Notably, Malinin had also contributed to the U.S. team's gold medal win earlier in the Games, demonstrating his capability even with an occasional on-ice mishap. In the team event, a fall did not prevent him and his teammates from securing gold, due to the overall difficulty and execution of his program.

Skater's Perspective

Following the event, Malinin reportedly expressed his disappointment, with one report quoting him as saying, "I blew it." His visible distress on the ice further conveyed the personal impact of the performance.

Analysis of Factors

The deviation from Malinin's expected performance raises questions regarding the pressures and dynamics of the Olympic stage. While the exact causes remain to be fully elucidated, the event underscores the unpredictable nature of high-stakes athletic competitions. The significant lead built in the short program was ultimately insufficient to overcome the errors in the free skate, a situation made more acute by the performance of his competitors.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Ilia Malinin's eighth-place finish at the 2026 Winter Olympics represents a significant departure from pre-event expectations. His strong performance in the short program was overshadowed by multiple errors in the free skate, preventing him from reaching the podium. The event highlights the immense pressure and variability inherent in Olympic competition. Further analysis may be required to understand the specific factors contributing to this outcome.

Sources Used

Read More: Ilia Malinin Wins Olympic Gold in Team Event, Now Aims for Individual Title

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Ilia Malinin finish eighth?
He made several mistakes and fell during his free skate performance. This caused him to lose his lead from the short program.
Q: Who won the gold medal?
Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan won the gold medal in the men's figure skating event.
Q: Was Malinin expected to do better?
Yes, he was a favorite to win gold. He had won many competitions before and was the world champion.