The 'Quad God' Ilia Malinin, a figure skater renowned for his technical prowess and confidence, faced a stunning defeat in the men's skating final, marking his first loss in two years. Malinin, who had arrived at the Olympics as the favorite, was expected to dominate with his signature quadruple jumps, including the challenging quad axel. However, when it mattered most, he produced an error-strewn performance, falling off the podium. In contrast, Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov, an underdog just days ago, delivered a flawless routine, producing one of the greatest shocks in Olympic figure skating history. Malinin's confidence was evident in his backstage warm-up attire, a tight black vest emblazoned with 'Quad God' in gold sequins. Despite his impressive skills, Malinin's performance was marred by errors, leaving him in eighth place. Shaidorov, on the other hand, rose to the occasion, showcasing a career-best routine built around five precise quadruple jumps, ultimately securing the gold medal. This dramatic meltdown sent Malinin tumbling to eighth place, an almost unimaginable outcome given his recent dominance in the sport. The 'Quad God' had to face the reality that even the most confident skaters can falter under pressure. The controversy and surprise surrounding Malinin's defeat sparked discussions about the unpredictability of Olympic figure skating. As for the future, Malinin vowed to ensure this never happens again, while Shaidorov, the overlooked outsider, kept his composure and claimed the gold medal. TNT Sports on discovery+ will be the go-to destination in the U.K to watch everything of Milano Cortina 2026 live all in one place, with over 850 hours of action from every sport, venue, and medal event.
