Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God,” solidified his status as a rising American superstar in men’s figure skating by winning the Grand Prix Final in Grenoble, France. Despite a fall and miscues, Malinin easily outperformed his Japanese rival, Yuma Kagiyama. His flawless performance included the quad axel, a jump that no one else has ever landed, and a backflip, captivating the audience and earning him the top spot on the podium.
Born and raised in Virginia, Malinin’s parents, both former Olympic figure skaters, instilled a passion for the sport in him from a young age. Despite being overlooked for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Malinin has since become a dominant force in men’s figure skating, winning the World Championship gold medal and finishing the 2024 season undefeated.
His remarkable journey includes becoming the first skater to land a quadruple axel in competition and earning the nickname “Quad God.” Malinin’s athletic routines have earned him record-breaking scores, including a world-record free skate at this year’s World Championships. With seven wins in seven events in 2024, Malinin enters 2025 as the clear No. 1 in the sport.
Looking ahead, Malinin’s sights are set on the 2026 Olympics in Milan, where he hopes to showcase his unrivaled talent on the world stage. With another year of competition before the Games, Malinin’s competitors, like Kagiyama and Siao Him Fa, will have to work hard to challenge his dominance in men’s figure skating. The stage is set for an exciting year ahead, culminating in the 2025 World Championships in Boston.
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