Shaidorov Wins Gold at 2026 Olympics After Rivals’ Disastrous Performances | Figure Skating News

The February 13, 2026, Olympic men’s figure skating final in Milan, Italy, delivered a stunning upset as Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov claimed the gold medal. The victory came as American favorite Ilia Malinin, widely known as the “Quad God,” faltered in his free skate, ultimately finishing in eighth place.

Shaidorov, who was fifth after the short program, delivered a career-best performance in the free skate, scoring 198.64 points and propelling himself to the top of the leaderboard. His total score of 291.58 points secured Kazakhstan’s first gold medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games, and the nation’s first in figure skating in eight years.

The competition was marked by unexpected errors from several top contenders. Malinin, who had a comfortable lead after the short program and had previously maintained a two-plus year unbeaten streak spanning 14 competitions, struggled significantly in his free skate. He fell twice and was visibly emotional after his performance, finishing with a total score of 264.49 points.

Malinin’s performance included a downgrade from a planned quadruple Axel jump to a single jump, and further falls during other quadruple attempts. The dramatic shift in his performance led to a significant drop in the standings, ending his dominant run.

France’s Adam Siao Him Fa, who was third after the short program and the 2024 European champion, also experienced a disappointing free skate. He fell three times while attempting quadruple Lutz, loop, and Salchow jumps, ultimately finishing in sixth place.

Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, who was in second place after the short program, also faced challenges. He had issues with a quadruple Salchow and fell once during a quadruple flip attempt, and had an unsteady landing on another. Despite expectations of a strong challenge for the gold, these errors relegated him to second place overall.

Shunsato Sato of Japan, who began the free skate in ninth place, secured the bronze medal.

Shaidorov’s victory is particularly notable given his recent successes, including winning the Four Continents title and a silver medal at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in 2024-2025. This achievement mirrors that of his compatriot, Denis Ten, who reached the podium at the same competitions a decade prior.

The unexpected outcome underscores the intense pressure and unpredictable nature of Olympic competition. While Malinin entered the final as the clear favorite, Shaidorov’s consistent and technically demanding performance, which included landing five quadruple jumps, proved decisive. The competition highlighted the fine margins between success and disappointment at the highest level of athletic competition.

The results at the Milano Ice Arena were met with disbelief by the crowd, as the anticipated gold medal for Malinin slipped away. Shaidorov’s performance, described as the performance of the night, marked a significant moment in his career and a historic achievement for Kazakhstan.