US Figure Skating Frenzy: Malinin Steals Show with Jaw-Dropping Short Program Performance
In a dazzling display of athleticism and artistry, 21-year-old American figure skater Ilia Malinin electrified the crowd at the US Championships in St. Louis on Thursday, leaving even himself stunned by his breathtaking short program performance.
Malinin's commanding routine, which included a quad flip, quad Lutz-triple toe loop, and an audacious back flip, earned him a staggering 115.10 points - more than 25 points ahead of second-placed Tomoki Hiwatashi. The Virginia native's showstopping display not only cemented his status as the top contender for gold at next month's Olympics but also sent shockwaves through the skating community.
Malinin has used every setback, including missing out on US team selection four years ago, as fuel to propel himself to the forefront of figure skating. "That was such a hard moment for me to go through... but it made me the skater I am today," he said humbly about his past struggles.
As Malinin's Olympic ambitions reach new heights, he is being compared to another sports superstar - Simone Biles in gymnastics. The similarity in their dedication and perseverance has been noted by fans and pundits alike.
In other news from the US Championships, married couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates continued their dominance of ice dance, solidifying their position as gold medal favourites at next month's Winter Olympics. Their fluid performance earned them a 91.70 points, putting them ahead of Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik in the competition.
The top three finishers in both men's and women's singles will earn spots on the US team for the Milano Cortina Games.
In a dazzling display of athleticism and artistry, 21-year-old American figure skater Ilia Malinin electrified the crowd at the US Championships in St. Louis on Thursday, leaving even himself stunned by his breathtaking short program performance.
Malinin's commanding routine, which included a quad flip, quad Lutz-triple toe loop, and an audacious back flip, earned him a staggering 115.10 points - more than 25 points ahead of second-placed Tomoki Hiwatashi. The Virginia native's showstopping display not only cemented his status as the top contender for gold at next month's Olympics but also sent shockwaves through the skating community.
Malinin has used every setback, including missing out on US team selection four years ago, as fuel to propel himself to the forefront of figure skating. "That was such a hard moment for me to go through... but it made me the skater I am today," he said humbly about his past struggles.
As Malinin's Olympic ambitions reach new heights, he is being compared to another sports superstar - Simone Biles in gymnastics. The similarity in their dedication and perseverance has been noted by fans and pundits alike.
In other news from the US Championships, married couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates continued their dominance of ice dance, solidifying their position as gold medal favourites at next month's Winter Olympics. Their fluid performance earned them a 91.70 points, putting them ahead of Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik in the competition.
The top three finishers in both men's and women's singles will earn spots on the US team for the Milano Cortina Games.
he's like a whole different level of athleticism out there on that ice... i mean, quad flip, quad lutz-triple toe loop, back flip? what even is that?! 
and 25 points ahead of the next guy? mind blown. but for real, it's not just about the moves, it's about the passion and dedication he brings to every performance. i love how humble he is too, talking about his past struggles like they're fuel for his fire 
"that was such a hard moment for me... but it made me the skater I am today" - you can feel the authenticity in that statement. 
OMG, Malinin is like a force of nature on the ice!!! I mean, that quad flip was insane! 
. The comparison to Simone Biles is totally justified - both athletes are known for their work ethic and dedication 
. Can't wait to see Malinin take the Olympic stage by storm! 
I'm loving how dedicated and resilient he's shown in the face of setbacks, too - it's clear he's not afraid of hard work or pushing himself to new heights 
. And let's be real, that quad flip was INSANE!!! 
he's def a contender for gold at the olympics 
did you see his routine? 
Madison and Evan are looking good too, but Malinin just took it to another level 
[
. And don't even get me started on those other skaters - Chock and Bates, they're just coasting on their experience and skill. I mean, it's gonna be a landslide for them, but where's the excitement in that? Give me some real competition any day...
️! As someone who's been following figure skating for years, it's amazing to see a young skater like him rise to the top 
. This Malinin kid is just a flash in the pan, you know? He'll get destroyed at the Olympics and everyone will be like "oh look, another American skater who can't even". And what's with all the comparisons to Simone Biles? Like, they're not even in the same sport! 
It's just a bunch of hype to get people excited for the Olympics. And don't even get me started on Madison and Evan, they've been skating for years and it's about time someone else stepped up. I'm still holding out hope that Emilea Zingas will pull off an upset 
His story of overcoming setbacks is truly inspiring too - it's clear he's been grinding for years to get to this point. Simone Biles comparisons are definitely valid, but Malinin has his own unique style that sets him apart 
... doesn't mean biles' path was easy or anything tho. btw, i'm also a bit skeptical about madison & evan being favs for gold at olympics... they're still amazing ice dancers, but there are other pairs & ice dance teams that could give them a run for their money 
. Their ice dance performance was seamless, and it's clear they're going to be tough to beat at the Olympics. The Milano Cortina Games can't come soon enough!