The men's figure skating final at the 2026 Winter Olympics concluded with an unexpected outcome, as Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan secured the gold medal. This came after a notable performance struggle from pre-event favorite Ilia Malinin, who failed to reach the podium. The event, held on February 13, 2026, marked a significant moment for Kazakhstan, earning its first-ever Olympic figure skating title.
Ilia Malinin, widely known as the "Quad God" and considered the favorite, experienced a difficult free skate. Reports indicate he fell multiple times during his routine, impacting his final score and ranking. This unexpected turn allowed Mikhail Shaidorov to rise to the top, delivering a performance that secured his historic win.
Key Developments in the Men's Free Skate
The men's figure skating competition on February 13, 2026, saw a dramatic shift in expectations.
Read More: Olympics Food Goes Viral: Chocolate Cake and Nutella Popular
Mikhail Shaidorov's performance was characterized by its cleanliness and resilience. He executed two successful quadruple jumps and maintained composure throughout his skate, which proved crucial. His victory is considered a major upset and a landmark achievement for Kazakhstan, as it represents their first Winter Olympic medal in figure skating in 32 years.
Ilia Malinin faced significant challenges during his routine. Accounts detail him falling on planned quadruple jumps, including a quad lutz and a quad salchow, which he only managed to complete as a double jump. He also encountered issues with a planned quad loop, which he only doubled. These errors visibly affected him, with images showing him reacting with distress after his skate. His final placement was 8th.
Performances of Top Contenders
| Skater | Country | Pre-Event Standing | Key Incidents in Free Skate | Final Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mikhail Shaidorov | Kazakhstan | Not explicitly stated, but outperformed expectations | Clean skate with successful quadruple jumps; maintained composure | Gold |
| Ilia Malinin | United States | Favorite ("Quad God") | Fell on quad lutz, doubled planned quad loop, doubled quad salchow | 8th Place |
| Yuma Kagiyama | Japan | High contender | Secured silver; second consecutive Olympic silver medal | Silver |
| Shun Sato | Japan | Competitor | Completed the podium | Bronze |
| Adam Siao Him Fa | France | Competitor | Significant struggles in the free skate, missed the podium | Not specified |
Shaidorov's Path to Gold
Mikhail Shaidorov's triumph was built on a performance that stood apart for its consistency under pressure. While Malinin was expected to dominate, the Kazakh skater delivered a clean program, executing his planned quadruple jumps with precision. He observed his final score with evident disbelief, a reaction to the unexpected magnitude of his achievement. This win not only placed him at the pinnacle of Olympic figure skating but also etched his name in Kazakhstan's sporting history.
Read More: Shaidorov Wins Gold, Malinin Falls in Figure Skating Surprise
Malinin's Unexpected Struggles
Ilia Malinin, who entered the competition as a strong favorite and with a reputation for successfully landing numerous quadruple jumps, faced a performance marred by errors. Reports highlight multiple falls and incomplete jumps, deviating significantly from his usual standard. His pre-skate warm-up, described as calm with no falls, contrasts sharply with his competitive performance. The pressure of the Olympic final appeared to weigh heavily, leading to a result far below expectations and his previous two and a half years of undefeated competition.
Broader Olympic Context
The men's figure skating final provided a striking reminder of the unpredictability inherent in high-stakes sporting events. While Malinin's "Quad God" moniker set a high bar for expectations, the competition ultimately showcased that form on the day and performance under pressure are decisive factors. The event also saw other skaters, such as Adam Siao Him Fa of France, experience difficult programs, underscoring the challenging nature of the Olympic stage. Yuma Kagiyama of Japan secured the silver medal, adding to his decorated Olympic career.
Expert Observations
Figure skating analysts noted the stark contrast between Malinin's usual consistent performance and his showing in the Olympic final.
Read More: Michigan State Baseball Beats Louisville on Opening Day
"When you carry the nickname 'Quad God,' the expectation is immense. Malinin has shown he can land incredibly difficult jumps, but the Olympics are a different beast entirely. Today, the pressure seemed to get to him, and Shaidorov capitalized perfectly."
This sentiment was echoed by observers who highlighted Shaidorov's ability to remain focused amidst Malinin's struggles.
Findings and Implications
The 2026 Winter Olympics men's figure skating gold medal was won by Mikhail Shaidorov, a result that defied pre-event predictions. Ilia Malinin's performance was significantly hampered by falls and errors, placing him outside the medal positions.
Shaidorov's win marks a historic first for Kazakhstan in Olympic figure skating.
Malinin's performance, while disappointing for his supporters, underscores the inherent unpredictability of elite competition.
The event provided a dramatic conclusion to the men's figure skating discipline, highlighting the pressure and performance variability that can occur on the Olympic stage.
Sources
BBC Sport: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c99jx4l7191o (Published 23 minutes ago)
Olympics.com: https://olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/winter-olympics-2026-mikhail-shaidorov-stuns-for-olympic-figure-skating-title-as-ilia-malinin-struggles-to-8th-place/ (Published 19 minutes ago)
The Guardian (Live Updates): https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/feb/13/winter-olympics-ilia-malinin-figure-skating-free-skate (Published 35 minutes ago)
The Guardian (Article): https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/13/ilia-malinin-olympics-figure-skating-mikhail-shaidorov (Published 35 minutes ago)
CNN (Live Updates): https://www.cnn.com/sport/live-news/milan-winter-olympics-results-highlights-medals-02-13-26 (Published Date Missing)
L'Équipe: https://www.lequipe.fr/Jo-2026-milan-cortina/Patinage-artistique/Actualites/L-immense-surprise-shaidorov-ilia-malinin-et-adam-siao-him-fa-hors-podium-ont-rate-leur-programme-libre/1642080 (Published 27 minutes ago)
Le Figaro: https://www.lefigaro.fr/sports/jeux-olympiques/jo-2026-le-sacre-improbable-de-mikhail-shaidorov-l-effondrement-d-adam-siao-him-fa-et-ilia-malinin-20260213 (Published 1 hour ago)
AP News: https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-figure-skating-malinin-9701617ebaad752e616f88259e33b6b3 (Published 36 minutes ago)
The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/ilia-malinin-quad-god-figure-skating-winter-olympics-b2920258.html (Published 13 minutes ago)
WJLA: https://wjla.com/sports/olympics/quad-god-ilia-malinin-falls-twice-in-olympic-disaster-shaidorov-wins-gold-medal (Published 7 minutes ago)
ESPN: https://www.espn.com/olympics/figureskating/story//id/47922785/quad-god-ilia-malinin-falls-twice-olympic-men-figure-skating-disaster-allowing-mikhail-shaidorov-claim-gold (Published 48 minutes ago)
Read More: Ilia Malinin Finishes Eighth in Olympic Figure Skating
