Shocking Figure Skating: Kazakhstan’s Šajdorov Wins as Malinin Fails at Milan 2026 Olympics

A stunning upset unfolded at the Forum di Milano on Friday, February 13, 2026, as the anticipated coronation of Ilia Malinin as Olympic champion in men’s figure skating failed to materialize. Instead, it was Michail Šajdorov of Kazakhstan who claimed the gold medal, leaving fans and competitors alike in disbelief.

A Shocking Turn of Events

Malinin, widely known as the “Quad God,” faltered during his free skate, making four errors out of seven attempted jump elements. This unexpected performance opened the door for Šajdorov, who seized the opportunity to deliver a nearly flawless routine.

Šajdorov’s Triumph

The 21-year-old Šajdorov skated to music from the film The Fifth Element, beginning with a challenging combination of a triple axel and a quadruple salchow – the highest-valued element in the competition, earning him 21.39 points. He successfully landed five quadruple jumps and two triple axels, with a minor deduction for a slightly under-rotated quadruple lutz.

Did You Know? This marks only the second Olympic gold medal for Kazakhstan in Winter Games history, following Vladimir Smirnov’s victory in cross-country skiing at the 1994 Lillehammer Games.

Šajdorov’s performance earned him 198.64 points in the free skate, a personal best, bringing his total score to 291.58 points and securing his place atop the podium. He initially sat in fifth place after the short programme, but maintained his lead as other competitors faltered.

A Series of Struggles

Italy’s Daniel Grassl struggled with his performance, experiencing stomach issues throughout the competition, ultimately finishing ninth. France’s Adam Siao Him Fa also faced difficulties, falling on a quadruple lutz and struggling with subsequent jumps, finishing seventh overall.

Japan’s Juma Kagijama, despite being a strong contender, fell on a quadruple flip and made other errors, placing second overall. His compatriot, Šun Sato, delivered a strong free skate, earning the third-highest score of the day and securing a place on the podium.

Malinin’s Unexpected Struggles

Malinin began his free skate strongly with a successful quadruple flip, but a flawed quadruple axel – downgraded to a single jump – immediately cost him valuable points. Despite attempting to recover, he continued to struggle, with a downgraded quadruple rittberger and a fall on a subsequent quadruple lutz. He then fell again while attempting a double salchow.

The American skater, who had been undefeated since fall 2023, finished eighth with a total score of 264.49 points, a significant drop from his personal best of 238.24 in the free skate.

Expert Insight: Malinin’s performance underscores the immense pressure athletes face at the Olympic level. Even the most dominant competitors are susceptible to errors when the stakes are highest, and the mental aspect of the sport can be as crucial as technical skill.

Sportsmanship and Reflection

Following the competition, Malinin displayed remarkable sportsmanship, congratulating Šajdorov on his victory. He acknowledged the Kazakh skater’s performance and expressed respect for the competitive spirit of the sport. Malinin also reflected on the pressure he felt, suggesting that past experiences – including being deemed not ready for the 2022 Olympics at age 17 – may have contributed to his performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened during the men’s free skate at the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Michail Šajdorov of Kazakhstan won the gold medal after Ilia Malinin of the United States, the pre-competition favorite, made several errors during his free skate.

What was Ilia Malinin’s final placement?

Ilia Malinin finished in eighth place with a total score of 264.49 points.

What did Ilia Malinin say after his performance?

Malinin acknowledged the pressure he felt and suggested he may have been overconfident, also referencing a past decision not to send him to the Olympics when he was 17.

Given this unexpected outcome, how might this shift in the landscape of men’s figure skating influence the strategies and training regimens of top competitors moving forward?