Ilia Malinin, Team USA’s Quad God, Is Redefining the Limits of Figure Skating
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- Ilia Malinin, 21, has transitioned from a promising young skater to the dominant "Quad God" in figure skating, known for landing multiple quadruple jumps, including the historic quad Axel, and breaking world records consistently since late 2023.
- Despite increased expectations, Malinin feels more confident rather than pressured, attributing his poise to rigorous practice and a mindset focused on personal improvement rather than external validation.
- Malinin missed the 2022 Beijing Olympic team in a controversial decision but used that setback as motivation to revolutionize men's figure skating, aiming to push technical boundaries while maintaining artistry.
- His skating style blends extraordinary athleticism with artistic expression, challenging the notion that high technical difficulty compromises performance quality,
