Ilia Malinin Secures Silver in Olympic Figure Skating Team Event Behind Kagiyama
The Olympic figure skating team event saw a pivotal moment during the men’s short program. Ilia Malinin secured a silver medal, finishing second to Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama. This result intensified the competition for the team gold medal and shifted some momentum back towards Japan, although Team USA still leads by just one point.
Performance Highlights
Yuma Kagiyama delivered an impressive performance, scoring 108.67 overall. His breakdown included 61.12 in technical elements and 47.55 in component scores. This remarkable performance allowed Japan to net the full ten points for their team.
Malinin followed with a score of 98.00, which was nearly 12 points below his season’s best. He collected nine points for Team USA, which remains a formidable competitor despite the narrow score margin.
Quotes and Strategy
Malinin reflected on the pressure of the Olympic stage, stating, “I’m sure a lot of people would feel that. I’m not thinking about the score. I’m just thinking about the moment.” His strategy for this outing involved playing it safe. Instead of attempting his signature quadruple Axel, Malinin opted for a triple Axel. This decision was made to conserve energy for upcoming events.
As the reigning world champion and the season’s favorite, Malinin entered the competition with an impressive track record, including victories at Skate America, Grand Prix China, and the Grand Prix Final.
Competition Landscape
The close scores in the men’s segment have highlighted how competitive the team event has become. Team USA is still in contention for gold, although the margin for error has diminished significantly.
- Yuma Kagiyama: 108.67 points (Japan)
- Ilia Malinin: 98.00 points (USA)
With the team event still in progress, Malinin’s performance keeps hopes high for Team USA as they prepare for the final challenges ahead.
