Ilia Malinin Shines Under Pressure, Mastering Performance Craft

Figure skater Ilia Malinin made headlines during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where he was the strong favorite for the men’s singles gold medal. Facing the immense pressure of competing on such a grand stage, Malinin initially struggled, but he soon demonstrated undeniable talent and resilience.

Early Challenges at the Olympics

Entering the Olympic arena, Malinin tried to maintain a calm perspective. He approached the games with the mindset of treating them like any other competition. However, the atmosphere proved to be overwhelming. “I didn’t expect it to be that much,” he admitted after an underwhelming performance in the team event.

Despite his challenges, Malinin played a crucial role in helping Team USA secure gold, narrowly defeating Japan. His performance included a second-place finish in the short program and a shaky display in the free skate.

Triumphant Turnaround

On Tuesday, Malinin showcased his true potential in the individual short program at the Milan Ice Skating Arena. His performance featured exceptional quadruple jumps, setting him apart from his competitors. “For this short program, I felt like I was a lot more comfortable,” he noted.

• Malinin executed a flawless opening quad flip, showcasing his technical prowess.
• He later impressed judges with a quad lutz-triple toe loop combination.
• This effort earned him a record score of 22.03 for a single short program element.

Scoring and Competition Overview

Malinin’s remarkable totals included a score of 108.16, an impressive 10.16 points higher than his previous score in the team event. His solid performance put him 5.09 points ahead of Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, setting the stage for the upcoming free skate.

Malinin’s advantage lies in his ability to perform up to seven quadruple jumps, significantly increasing his base value points compared to rivals who opt for fewer. He previously achieved seven clean quads at the Grand Prix Final in December.

Lessons from Experience

Reflecting on his Olympic debut, Malinin expressed the emotional toll the pressure took on him. “I got too excited, and it came back and bit me,” he explained, acknowledging the importance of remaining calm amid the high stakes.

Looking ahead, Malinin aims to harness lessons learned from his experience. He remains focused on maintaining composure as he prepares for the free skate, determined to showcase his full capabilities.