“Quad God Stumbles, Misses Podium in Winter Olympics Upset”
Ilia Malinin, the reigning world champion and pre-competition favorite, experienced a shocking upset at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The U.S. figure skater narrowly missed the podium, finishing in eighth place after a series of errors during his free skate.
Quad God Stumbles at the Winter Olympics
Competing in Milan, Italy, Malinin was expected to win following a strong performance in the short program. However, he fell short after faltering in the free skate on February 13, 2026.
Key Performance Insights
- Malinin led after the short program but ultimately placed 15th in the free skate.
- He finished with an overall score of 264.49.
- Errors included falling on a quadruple lutz and a double salchow.
- He successfully landed only three clean quadruple jumps during his performance.
Malinin, often referred to as the “Quad God,” expressed his disbelief following the competition. He stated, “I felt so ready going into this competition. I can’t process what just happened.” Despite his preparation, the pressure appeared to affect his performance adversely.
Surprising Outcomes
Kazakh skater Mikhail Shaidorov seized the gold medal unexpectedly. He rose from fifth place after the short program to win with an overall score of 291.58, which included a personal best for his free skate.
Medal Standings
- Gold: Mikhail Shaidorov (Kazakhstan) – 291.58 points
- Silver: Yuma Kagiyama (Japan) – 280.06 points
- Bronze: Adam Siao Him Fa (France)
The competition spotlighted not only Malinin’s unexpected performance but also the high stakes involved in elite figure skating. As he reflected on his journey, it became clear that mental fortitude plays a crucial role in the sport.
As fans and analysts absorb the implications of this upset, the event reinforces the unpredictability of competitive sports, especially on the Olympic stage.
