Winter Olympics 2026: Ilia Malinin edges ahead of chief rivals in men’s short program, leads Kagiyama Yuma by five points
Ilia Malinin, known as the ‘Quad God’, demonstrated mastery of the Olympic rink as he topped the men’s short program in Milan, scoring an impressive 108.16 points. After enduring a somewhat rocky start at the Winter Olympics team event, the two-time and reigning world champion found his rhythm and solidified his lead by executing a clean and captivating program.
Malinin’s decision to forgo attempting the highly challenging quadruple Axel raised eyebrows, fueling speculation about his strategy for the upcoming free skate event. Japan’s Kagiyama Yuma and France’s Adam Siao Him Fa chased closely, with Kagiyama lagging just five points behind on a score of 103.07. Despite stepping out of his triple Axel, he remains a formidable contender.
Siao Him Fa, setting a bustling tone as the first final group performer, earned 102.55 points. This performance marks an essential revival for this 2024 world bronze medallist, rekindling hopes of podium contention. Notably, Siao Him Fa is the last skater to have triumphed over Malinin, creating intriguing dynamics for the free skate.
“I felt really comfortable today,” said Malinin, expressing relief from his earlier performance struggles. “Now that I’ve gotten three performances under Olympic ice, I think I’ve really tamed it.” This confidence shines after leading Team USA in the team event’s free skate segment, ultimately clinching gold.
The top five competitors—Daniel Grassl from Italy with 93.46 points and Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan at 92.94—round out the impressive display of skills on display. Amid electric performances from various nationalities, other standout athletes included Cha Junhwan from Korea and Kévin Aymoz from France, both performing exceptionally well.
As excitement builds ahead of the men’s free skate, Malinin’s journey continues to unfold against a vibrant backdrop of rival talent. Poised for what could become his Olympic glory, his focus remains evident: “I’m going to take everything nice and slow,” he affirmed, emphasizing a strategic approach as he eyes potential gold.
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion, as all eyes watch for who will master the ice under the bright lights of Milano Cortina 2026. Stay tuned for more updates on extraordinary performances throughout the Olympics!
