The stunning performance of 19-year-old Ilia Malinin at the World Figure Skating Championship was a result of his extraordinary free skate. While landing a quadruple axel is often beyond the reach of other skaters, especially after numerous failed attempts by skating greats, Malinin made it a routine part of his performance. This unique skill helped him secure his first world title with a record-breaking score in the free skate.
Despite facing physical and mental challenges leading up to the championships, Malinin delivered a stunning performance that left the audience in awe. He overcame doubts about attending the competition and expressed his gratitude for being able to put on such a memorable performance that led to his victory. Skating to music from the TV series “Succession,” Malinin wowed the crowd with his flawless execution of six quad jumps, including the challenging quadruple axel that no other man has successfully landed. His performance earned him a comfortable lead, finishing 24 points ahead of the second and third-place skaters from Japan and France, respectively.
Reflecting on his win, Malinin spoke about the mental strength needed to push through despite difficulties and doubts, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. His gold medal victory was the US’s second at the championship, following Madison Chock and Evan Bates’ win in ice dance earlier that day.
