MILAN, Italy – The 2026 Winter Olympics men’s figure skating competition delivered a stunning upset on Friday, as Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov claimed the gold medal while American Ilia Malinin, the pre-competition favorite, plummeted to an eighth-place finish. The result sent shockwaves through the Milano Ice Arena and marked a dramatic turn of events for the skater dubbed the “Quad God.”
Shaidorov’s victory, secured with a career-best score of 291.58 points, represents Kazakhstan’s first gold medal of the Winter Games. He was followed by Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, who earned his second consecutive Olympic silver, and Japanese teammate Shun Sato, who took bronze. The podium finish was a testament to consistency and composure, qualities that eluded Malinin during his free skate performance.
Malinin, who had comfortably led after the short program and had already secured a gold medal in the team event, entered the free skate with a significant advantage. A relatively conservative performance would have been sufficient to add an individual gold to his collection. However, the 21-year-old American faltered, falling twice and struggling with several other elements, ultimately finishing with a score of 264.49 points.
The free skate was a stark contrast to Malinin’s previous performances. He fell on a quad lutz and a quad loop, and notably scaled back his planned routine, opting for a single axel instead of his signature quadruple axel. A quadruple flip was landed, but the damage had already been done. The series of errors cost him an estimated 70 points, effectively erasing his lead from the short program.
“Honestly, yeah, I was not expecting that,” a visibly emotional Malinin said after his skate. “I felt going into this competition I was so ready. I just felt ready going on that ice. I think maybe that might have been the reason, is I was too confident it was going to go well.” His words hinted at a potential overconfidence that may have contributed to his unraveling on the ice.
The unexpected struggles began to surface even before the free skate. Malinin had been beaten by Kagiyama in the short program of the team event, acknowledging that the pressure of the Olympic stage was beginning to weigh on him. This pressure appeared to intensify during his individual free skate, leading to uncharacteristic mistakes from a skater renowned for his technical prowess.
Malinin’s two-plus-year unbeaten streak, encompassing 14 full competitions including the past two world championships, came to an abrupt end. The loss is particularly poignant given his reputation as a groundbreaking skater, pushing the boundaries of the sport with his mastery of quadruple jumps. His nickname, “Quad God,” reflects his ability to consistently land jumps that many competitors avoid.
The dramatic shift in fortunes underscores the unpredictable nature of competitive figure skating. While technical skill is paramount, mental fortitude and the ability to perform under pressure are equally crucial. Shaidorov’s victory exemplifies this, as he delivered a clean and composed performance when the stakes were highest.
The result also highlights the growing depth of talent in men’s figure skating. Kagiyama’s consistent performance and Sato’s bronze medal demonstrate the strength of the Japanese team, while Shaidorov’s breakthrough win signals the emergence of new contenders on the international stage.
For Malinin, the disappointment is undoubtedly profound. However, at 21 years old, he remains a dominant force in the sport with a bright future. The experience of the 2026 Winter Olympics, despite its heartbreaking conclusion, may serve as a valuable learning opportunity as he continues to pursue his goals.
The competition’s outcome leaves several questions unanswered. Will Malinin reassess his training regimen to address the mental aspect of his performance? Can Shaidorov maintain his momentum and establish himself as a consistent threat in future competitions? And how will the landscape of men’s figure skating evolve as new skaters emerge and push the boundaries of the sport?
The 2026 Winter Olympics men’s figure skating competition will be remembered not only for Shaidorov’s stunning victory but also for the unexpected struggles of Ilia Malinin, a reminder that even the most dominant athletes are vulnerable to the pressures and uncertainties of the Olympic stage.
