Meet Ilia Malinin: The ‘Quad God’ Who Led Team USA to Olympic Gold

Ilia Malinin, a 21-year-old figure skater from the United States, has made history by leading Team USA to a gold medal in the team figure skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics. His stunning performance, highlighted by a remarkable backflip landed on one skate, took place on February 8. This victory marked Malinin’s first Olympic gold medal and followed a controversial exclusion from the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.

Meet Ilia Malinin: The ‘Quad God’

Malinin’s journey in figure skating began when he was just six years old, influenced by his parents, both former Olympic figure skaters from Russia. Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov represented Uzbekistan at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano and the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City before settling in Virginia. It was here that Ilia was born in 2004 and began his path to stardom.

A Memorable Performance

During the team event, renowned tennis champion Novak Djokovic was among the spectators. Malinin’s astounding backflip drew a stunned reaction from Djokovic, who expressed amazement at the athletic feat. Malinin later reflected on the moment, noting the joy of witnessing a legendary athlete react to his performance.

Impressing the Experts

Figure skating icons have praised Ilia’s innovative performances. Olympic champion Scott Hamilton remarked on Malinin’s unique style, stating that he showcases techniques previously unseen in the sport. Kristi Yamaguchi, another Olympic champion, emphasized the extraordinary nature of Malinin’s achievements, notably his ability to land a quad axel in competition.

Overcoming Challenges

In 2022, despite finishing second at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Malinin was not selected for the Beijing Olympics. This setback motivated him to excel, leading to victories in the last three Grand Prix Finals and back-to-back world titles. Remarkably, he has not lost a competition in over two years.

The Rise of the ‘Quad God’

Malinin coined the nickname “Quad God” while altering his Instagram handle. He aspires to attain this title by perfecting multiple quad jumps, with a historic landing of seven quadruple jumps at the Grand Prix Finals last December. His accomplishments have drawn comparisons to elite athletes like Simone Biles, underscoring his significant impact on the sport.

A Vision for the Future of Skating

Despite his fame, Malinin aims to connect with audiences on a personal level. He expresses a desire for people to see figure skaters as relatable individuals who experience the ups and downs of life. Besides his personal ambitions, he wishes to “revolutionize” figure skating, bringing it back to its former glory.

Ilia Malinin’s journey has just begun. With his remarkable talent and unique perspective, he is set to continue captivating audiences and fellow athletes alike.