The 2025 ISU Grand Prix Final witnessed a historic moment on Saturday in Nagoya, Japan, as Ilia Malinin, the standout figure skater from the USA, secured his third consecutive Grand Prix Final title. Malinin made headlines as he became the first skater in history to successfully land seven quad jumps in a single program, including the elusive quad Axel.
In a performance that redefined the limits of figure skating, Malinin not only executed his high-difficulty elements with remarkable precision but also shattered his own world record by almost 10 points, amassing a staggering score of 238.24 for his free skate program. With a total score of 332.29, he finished nearly 30 points ahead of the next closest competitor, Kagiyama Yuma, from Japan.
Malinin’s breathtaking free program included a series of quad jumps: a quad flip, a quad Axel, a quad loop, a quad toe loop, a quad Salchow, and two quad Lutzes. Despite a somewhat lower score in the short program holding him back from achieving an additional overall world record, his talent and consistency in jumping left spectators in awe.
Yuma captured the second spot on the podium with a personal best of 302.41 points overall, showcasing exceptional skill in his routines throughout the competition. He managed to secure a season-best of 193.64 points for his own free program, remarkably performed at his home venue.
Completing the podium was Japan’s Sato Shun, who achieved a total of 292.08 points and set a personal best of 194.02 for his free skate.
This Grand Prix Final not only showcased elite talent but highlighted the rising excitement in professional figure skating. With Malinin continuing to push the boundaries, fans worldwide can only wonder what the future holds for this incredible athlete. Stay tuned for more updates on figure skating’s burgeoning stars.
