Mikhail Shaidorov Triumphs as Ilia Malinin Takes 8th: NPR

In a stunning upset at the Winter Olympics, Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan triumphed in the men’s figure skating competition, while Ilia Malinin of the United States faltered to an unexpected 8th place finish.

Mikhail Shaidorov’s Historic Victory

Mikhail Shaidorov, a first-time Olympian, delivered an outstanding performance that secured him the gold medal with a final score of 291.58 points. His remarkable achievement marks a significant moment in Olympic figure skating history as he outperformed seasoned competitors.

Ilia Malinin’s Disappointment

Ilia Malinin, the pre-event favorite, entered the competition as a top contender for Olympic gold. The 21-year-old American had not lost a major competition since 2023, holding a five-point lead going into the free skate segment. However, things took a drastic turn during his performance.

• Malinin fell twice on the ice.
• He downgraded several planned jumps, switching a quadruple axel to a single axel.
• His final score was 264.49 points.

After his performance, Malinin admitted that nerves overwhelmed him, stating, “The nerves just were so overwhelming… I just did not handle it.” His struggles stood in stark contrast to Shaidorov’s stellar display.

Medal Standings

The competition concluded with medal placements as follows:

As the figure skating events unfold, the performances of both Shaidorov and Malinin highlight the unpredictable nature of Olympic competition.