Ilia Malinin's rise to figure skating superstardom is a tale of unmatched athleticism and artistry, with the 21-year-old American skater defying physics with his quadruple axel.
Malinin's journey began with his historic landing of the quad axel at just 17 years old, a feat that no one else has been able to replicate. He has only lost once in major competitions since then, and his dominance on the ice is unmatched.
The secret behind Malinin's success lies in his incredible jumping ability and mastery of technique. Scientists have studied his quad axel and found that he jumps higher vertically than anyone else, giving him an unparalleled advantage.
But what sets Malinin apart from other great skaters is not just his technical skill but also his artistry and connection to the music. He cites Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu as a major inspiration, and it's clear that he's striving to blend athleticism with beauty.
Malinin has already made history by leading the US team to gold in men's singles at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and his dominance has raised questions about whether anyone can surpass him. The answer remains unclear, but one thing is certain: Malinin is redefining what figure skating looks like, both on and off the ice.
His talent has sparked hopes for a new generation of American skaters, with US Figure Skating's development director Justin Dillon searching for young talent as early as third-grade level to cultivate and develop. The idea of spotting potential quads at a younger age is changing how the sport approaches training and coaching.
Ultimately, Malinin's future success will depend on his ability to balance technical mastery with artistic expression. Bezic notes that living life and experiencing its ups and downs are essential for reaching one's full potential as an artist.
With Malinin pushing the boundaries of what's possible in figure skating, the world is left wondering: how good can he get? The answer remains a tantalizing enigma, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his next move on the ice.
Malinin's journey began with his historic landing of the quad axel at just 17 years old, a feat that no one else has been able to replicate. He has only lost once in major competitions since then, and his dominance on the ice is unmatched.
The secret behind Malinin's success lies in his incredible jumping ability and mastery of technique. Scientists have studied his quad axel and found that he jumps higher vertically than anyone else, giving him an unparalleled advantage.
But what sets Malinin apart from other great skaters is not just his technical skill but also his artistry and connection to the music. He cites Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu as a major inspiration, and it's clear that he's striving to blend athleticism with beauty.
Malinin has already made history by leading the US team to gold in men's singles at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and his dominance has raised questions about whether anyone can surpass him. The answer remains unclear, but one thing is certain: Malinin is redefining what figure skating looks like, both on and off the ice.
His talent has sparked hopes for a new generation of American skaters, with US Figure Skating's development director Justin Dillon searching for young talent as early as third-grade level to cultivate and develop. The idea of spotting potential quads at a younger age is changing how the sport approaches training and coaching.
Ultimately, Malinin's future success will depend on his ability to balance technical mastery with artistic expression. Bezic notes that living life and experiencing its ups and downs are essential for reaching one's full potential as an artist.
With Malinin pushing the boundaries of what's possible in figure skating, the world is left wondering: how good can he get? The answer remains a tantalizing enigma, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his next move on the ice.
! He's like a superhero on ice with that quad axel 
... it's crazy to think he can jump higher than anyone else! I mean, have you seen him skate? It's like music, art and science all mixed together 
. And the fact that US Figure Skating is trying to spot talent at younger ages is so cool 
. Can't wait to see what the future holds for this talented skater... will he keep breaking records or get surpassed by someone else? 
Only time will tell!
, like who else can even do that?! 
And it's awesome to see him inspiring a new gen of skaters in the US 
. Justin Dillon is on the right track with spotting quads at 3rd grade level 
... maybe one day we'll see another Malinin superstar 
! I mean, quad axel at 17? That's crazy talk! And it's not just about the skills, but also how he brings artistry to the sport. He's got that Japanese flair going on, and it's so cool to see. I'm hyped for him to keep pushing the limits and seeing what's possible. Maybe we'll get to see some new tricks soon 
. It's not just about throwing down jumps for fun, he actually puts so much thought into every element of his skating, from the choreo to the music choice 
. And let's be real, have you seen him skate? The kid's got fluidity like nobody's business 
. I love how the coaches and skaters are already looking for young talent to groom, it's exciting to think about what the future holds for figure skating 
. Malinin's not just a skater, he's an artist and an athlete all rolled into one 
. But seriously, I think what sets him apart is not just the technical skill, but how he carries himself on the ice - it's like he's one with the music 
The way he glides across the ice is like nothing else out there... and yeah, spotting talent at third-grade level is a pretty cool idea. Can't wait to see what kind of skaters he discovers! 
His dedication and practice have paid off in such a big way. It's really inspiring to see him carry himself with so much confidence and charisma on the ice. 
What's also cool is that he's giving hope to young skaters back home, showing them that they can be just as talented and accomplished. 
I'm literally living for Ilia Malinin right now!!! His quad axel skills are insane 
. I love that scientists are studying him to understand his technique - it just goes to show how innovative and forward-thinking the sports world can be! 
As for whether anyone can surpass him? That's a tough one, but I'm excited to see what the future holds for this talented young skater. Bring on the Olympics in 2026!!! 
.
. We need more talent like him! And Bezic's advice about living life and experiencing ups & downs is so true 
. It makes sense why he's pushing himself to be the best. I'm HOOKED on watching his skating vids now 
, can't get enough of that Malinin magic 
The way he blends athleticism with artistry is giving me all the feels. I'm also loving how US Figure Skating is looking for young talent as early as third grade to develop their skills