As the figure skating events at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics reach a pivotal moment, all eyes are on a 21-year-old American prodigy, Ilia Malinin, regarded as the “King of the Quad.” On February 8, during the team event’s free skate, Malinin showcased his overwhelming talent by not only executing the first legal backflip seen at the Olympics in 50 years but also by landing five high-quality quadruple jumps. Although he chose not to perform his signature “quadruple axel” to conserve energy, his impressive performance made him the only competitor to surpass the 200-point mark, leading the U.S. team to a narrow victory over Japan by just one point.
Malinin’s remarkable prowess is underscored by his unique achievement as the only skater in history to successfully complete a quadruple axel in competition. This move involves rotating four and a half times (1620 degrees) before landing, making it one of the toughest elements in figure skating. The added half rotation demands an extraordinary level of athleticism, and currently, Malinin stands alone in executing it cleanly during official events.
Analysis from BBC reveals how Malinin’s athletic capabilities mirror those of elite athletes in other sports. His jump height reaches an impressive 90 centimeters, comparable to NBA players, while his spin speed in the air reaches an astounding 350 revolutions per minute, similar to the speed of a household blender.
Moreover, Malinin achieved another historical milestone by completing the first legal backflip at the Olympics since it was reinstated in 2024, having been banned since 1976 due to safety concerns. This accomplishment also made him the first skater to execute a backflip with a single-foot landing, highlighting his extraordinary balance and physical conditioning.
Born into a family deeply rooted in figure skating, Malinin benefits from a legacy of excellence; both of his parents represented Uzbekistan in Olympic figure skating. His training environment in Virginia has been described as an “ideal incubator,” with his grandfather, Valery Malinin, providing stringent and scientific coaching.
Despite placing second to Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama in the short program due to an error, Malinin’s explosive potential and technical repertoire left competitors feeling daunted. He stated in an interview, “I don’t want to go all out; I want to control the rhythm correctly before the individual event.” Given his unmatched technical skill, as long as Malinin performs to his capabilities, experts believe this will be his Olympics to shine, barring any unforced errors.
The future looks bright for Malinin as he continues to redefine not just the sport of figure skating but also the standards of athletic excellence on the Olympic stage.