Malinin Reclaims Crown With Third Straight World Title After Olympic Collapse
Ilia Malinin scored 329.40 to win a third consecutive world title in Prague, saying the victory doesn't erase his Milan Olympics collapse and that 'real redemption' awaits 2030.
USA TODAYIlia Malinin's third world championship a relief. Redemption? Think 2030 | Opinion
FOX News'Quad God' Ilia Malinin avenges Olympic disappointment with backflip for third straight world title
CBS News"Quad god" Ilia Malinin wins 3rd consecutive world figure skating championship title after disastrous Olympic performance
Associated PressIlia Malinin bounces back from Olympic nightmare with 3rd straight world figure skating title
The GuardianIlia Malinin completes redemption arc with third straight world figure skating championship
Overview
Ilia Malinin won his third consecutive world men's title in Prague with 329.40 points, finishing nearly 23 points ahead of Japan's Yuma Kagiyama.
The win came six weeks and one day after his free skate collapse at the Milan Olympics, and Malinin said it does not make up for Milan and that "real redemption" will be in 2030.
Skating last, Malinin landed five quadruple jumps and scored 218.11 in the free skate, while Yuma Kagiyama took silver on 306.67 and Shun Sato was third on 288.54.
Malinin is the first man to win three straight world titles since Nathan Chen, who won in 2018, 2019 and 2021, and several top contenders fell and dropped off the podium.
He said he altered his mindset to reduce pressure, will join the "Stars on Ice" tour headlined by Alysa Liu, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, and will work with his parents and choreographers on new programs.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Malinin’s victory as a redemption narrative, using celebratory language and selective emphasis on his quotes and achievements while downplaying rivals’ perspectives. Editorial choices — loaded descriptors (“disastrous,” “quad god”), spotlighting comeback quotes and organizing the story around his recovery — produce a triumphant, athlete-centered storyline.
FAQ
Malinin collapsed during his free skate at the 2026 Milan Olympics after attempting six quadruple jumps, despite receiving the highest score in figure skating history, which occurred six weeks before his world title win in Prague.[4]
Ilia Malinin won gold with 329.40 points, Yuma Kagiyama of Japan took silver with 306.67 points, and Shun Sato took bronze with 288.54 points.[story]
Malinin became the first man to win three consecutive world titles since Nathan Chen, who won in 2018, 2019, and 2021.[story]
Malinin is the first to land a quadruple Axel in competition, the first to land seven quadruple jumps in one program, and holds the highest free skate score of 238.24 at the 2025 Grand Prix Final.[2]
