Milan, February 14, 2026 – A stunning upset unfolded at the Winter Games today as American figure skating sensation Ilia Malinin, widely favored for gold, faltered in the freestyle competition and missed the podium entirely. The 21-year-old’s unexpected struggles left onlookers, including Olympic legend Katarina Witt, in disbelief.
Malinin’s Gold Medal Bid Unravels in Italy
The U.S. skater, a rising star in the sport, saw his Olympic dreams slip away after a series of errors during his free skate performance.
- Ilia Malinin, the pre-competition favorite, finished off the podium in the men’s figure skating freestyle.
- Japan’s Shaidorow claimed the gold medal with a score of 291.58.
- Two-time Olympic champion Katarina Witt expressed shock at Malinin’s performance, citing the immense pressure faced by athletes.
- Malinin struggled with both technical elements, including the quadruple axel, and maintaining consistency throughout his routine.
“Nobody would have expected it to fall apart like this,” remarked two-time Olympic champion Katarina Witt on ARD, visibly surprised by the turn of events. “But it shows that the athletes are under enormous pressure. Actually, he could have run completely relaxed – knowing that the others made mistakes. These are the moments of surprise that no one expects. That’s crazy.”
Malinin received a score of 264.49, falling short of the 291.58 earned by gold medalist Shaidorow. Yuma Kagiyama of Japan secured the silver medal with 280.06 points, while his compatriot, Shun Sato, took bronze with 274.90 points.
The Weight of Expectation
“Being the favorite is one thing,” Malinin stated after his short program performance. “But actually doing it, executing it under pressure and showing the course of your life to earn this medal is something completely different.” The pressure ultimately proved too much to overcome.
The American skater also encountered difficulties with the technically challenging quadruple axel – a jump he successfully landed only once during the competition. He also made errors on the Rittberger and Salchow jumps, appearing visibly fatigued towards the end of his routine.
A Bold Attempt with the Backflip
Malinin, along with Frenchman Adam Siao Him Fa, showcased the recently re-allowed backflip – a maneuver banned for nearly 50 years until the end of 2024 – during their performances. However, even this innovative element wasn’t enough to propel Malinin to the top of the podium.
No German figure skaters participated in the Winter Games in Italy.
