Winter Olympics 2026: Ilia Malinin seeks “redemption competition” at next month’s World Championships
Ilia Malinin, the two-time reigning world champion in figure skating, is gearing up for a monumental return to the ice. He recently confirmed to Olympics.com that he will skate at the prestigious 2026 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, taking place from March 23-29 in Prague, Czechia. Malinin is looking to etch his name in history books by claiming three consecutive world titles, a feat last accomplished by his American compatriot Nathan Chen between 2018 and 2021.
“I’m looking forward to getting myself that ‘redemption competition,’ as I like to call it,” Malinin told the interviewers. “I’m definitely looking at that, and I can be satisfied with it if everything goes well.” Having excelled in the lead-up to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Malinin had a stunning streak of 12 international wins, though his Olympic appearance ended with an eighth-place finish in the men’s singles.
Reflecting on his Olympic debut, Malinin stated, “I didn’t understand how much that pressure was going to get to me. I thought I had it under control… but for some reason, I really didn’t.” This newfound awareness of competitive pressure may serve to strengthen his resolve as he prepares to compete against newly-crowned Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov, a close friend.
Malinin expressed his deep respect for his fellow competitors, emphasizing the tight-knit sense of camaraderie among skaters. “People outside of skating don’t really think we’re close… They see us as rivals, but that’s not really true,” he shared. “We have a competitive rivalry, and it drives us to push each other, bringing the sport to new heights.”
With the upcoming World Championships on the horizon, all eyes will be on Malinin as he pursues his quest for a remarkable third consecutive title and the chance for redemption on the global stage.
