Figure skating world champion Ilia Malinin on time travel, his sense of style, being a big brother – exclusive interview with Gracie Gold
Fresh off his second consecutive world figure skating title, the esteemed “Quad God” Ilia Malinin sat down with Gracie Gold for an engaging interview on Olympics.com, diving into an array of intriguing topics. With the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina approaching, Malinin curiously expressed his desire to time travel to see how he fared after the competition. “To see if I’m still hanging on,” he chuckled, demonstrating his playful spirit.
Standing proudly as the reigning champion of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2025, Malinin’s phenomenal quad-jumping ability continues to set new benchmarks in figure skating. Yet, he isn’t solely focused on technical prowess; he values entertaining the crowd, saying, “My worry was mainly about keeping the title, but I also wanted to impress the crowd.” His adventurous spirit almost translated to a historic achievement—a seven-quad layout—with a colorful dive into eccentric and profound interests like astrology, as he relayed his fascination with cosmic theories.
Gracie sought to unveil the young man’s personality beyond the “Quad God” hype. “I’m not going to ask you about skating that much,” she smiled, guiding him toward discussing his stylish inclinations. “I usually lean towards comfy streetwear,” Malinin shared, shedding light on his personal fashion preferences which marry casual charm with avant-garde elegance.
Conversing about family ties, he affectionately mentioned his roles in mentoring his younger sister, who is making strides in skating under his guidance. “I try to coach her… keyword ‘try,’” he laughed, illuminating their light-hearted sibling dynamics. With an eye on the future, Malinin believes his current victories are a stepping stone toward exciting Olympic potentials: “It’s another step for me,” he stated, finding confidence in his journey as he fine-tunes his Olympic routine.
As fans eagerly await the upcoming Olympics, Malinin’s infectious enthusiasm, calibrated ambition, and stylish flair reflect the multifaceted charm of a figure skating champion ready to break barriers.
