Winter Olympics 2026: Kagiyama Yuma “going to have to sweat blood” to catch Ilia Malinin
As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina rapidly approach, Japan’s premier male figure skater, Kagiyama Yuma, prepares for the daunting task of vying for gold against the extraordinary Ilia Malinin. Set to compete in his second Olympic Games, Kagiyama acknowledges he needs nothing short of a miracle to outshine Malinin, the world’s top male skater.
Kagiyama, a three-time silver medalist, is undeniably a force in figure skating, having claimed the national championship title twice. However, as he eyes Malinin, regarded as the overwhelming favorite, he understands the steep challenge before him. “To catch Ilia, I really, really have to get everything right and perhaps even sweat blood,” the 22-year-old expressed firmly.
During the closing moments of his last competition at the Grand Prix Final, Kagiyama dazzled with a personal best of 108.77 in the short program. Despite leading initially, he finished behind Malinin, who delivered a legendary performance featuring seven quad jumps, further solidifying his moniker, the “Quad God.” With a monumental score of 332.29, Malinin aims for a unparalleled victory.
Despite this fierce rivalry, a mutual respect thrives between the two skaters. Kagiyama admits Malinin’s groundbreaking routine was nothing short of astonishing, describing him as a “freak” of nature in terms of athletic talent.
Kagiyama hones his skills
Now teamed with two-time world champion Carolina Kostner, Kagiyama sources innovative planning to elevate his performances further. Although he remains critical of himself, he is developing a strong and creative approach that could potentially veer him closer to Malinin’s level.
Amidst the line of great Japanese figure skaters, including local legends who’ve retired, Kagiyama has embraced his role as Japan’s new leader in the sport. Instead of focusing merely on landing a medal, he’s set on gold. “I’ve got to take the fight to him with the spirit of a challenger,” he stated with confidence.
As the clock ticks down to the Olympic games, all eyes will be on Kagiyama to see if he can meet his ambitious challenge against the incomparable Ilia Malinin.
