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Shaidorov claims Kazakhstan's first Winter Olympic gold in 32 years
Mikhail Shaidorov delivered a flawless free skate to secure men's figure skating gold at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, ending Kazakhstan's 32-year wait for a top podium finish. The 21-year-old's victory came as pre-event favorite Ilia Malinin collapsed under pressure, finishing eighth.
The fall of the 'Quad God'
Ilia Malinin, the 21-year-old American dubbed the 'Quad God' for his record-breaking quadruple axel, entered the free skate with a five-point lead after the short program. However, his routine unraveled in spectacular fashion, featuring two falls and a series of downgraded jumps. Malinin, who had not attempted his signature quad axel in competition, instead performed a single axel to audible disappointment from the crowd.
His first fall occurred during a quad lutz attempt, followed by another misstep two elements later. The errors left Malinin with a score of 156.33 in the free skate-over 40 points behind Shaidorov-and dropped him to eighth overall. Visibly distraught, Malinin clutched his hair and shook his head as he left the ice, his unbeaten streak of two and a half years shattered.
A night of chaos for medal contenders
Malinin was not alone in struggling. Of the final six skaters, five suffered falls, including Japan's Yuma Kagiyama, who settled for silver after a mistake on his quad flip. His compatriot Shun Sato took bronze. The only skater to avoid major errors was Shaidorov, whose clean performance included two quad jumps and a near-flawless quad lutz.
Shaidorov entered the free skate 16 points behind Malinin but capitalized on the American's meltdown. His victory marks Kazakhstan's first Winter Olympic gold since Vladimir Smirnov's cross-country skiing triumph at Lillehammer 1994-predating Shaidorov's birth by a decade.
Malinin's rollercoaster Olympics
Malinin's journey at Milan-Cortina 2026 had been turbulent. After winning team gold with the U.S., he faced criticism for his performances, including being outscored by Kagiyama in the short program. His team later relocated him to Bergamo, 35 miles from the Olympic village, in an attempt to reset his focus.
The strategy appeared to work when Malinin delivered a dominant short program in the individual event, finishing five points ahead of the field. However, his free skate was a stark contrast, with downgraded jumps and uncharacteristic hesitation. His technical score, typically his strength, plummeted as he abandoned his most difficult elements.
"Dreams, turned to rubble."
BBC Sport commentary
A historic moment for Kazakhstan
Shaidorov's triumph was met with disbelief and jubilation. After the scores were announced, Malinin immediately congratulated his rival, capping a night of high drama. Kazakhstan's president later hailed the victory as a "new chapter" for the country's Winter Olympic ambitions.
The result underscores the unpredictability of figure skating, where pressure and precision collide. For Shaidorov, the gold medal is not just a personal achievement but a landmark for Kazakh sport. For Malinin, the Games ended in heartbreak, his reputation as an unstoppable force left in tatters.
What's next
The men's figure skating event concludes the Olympic schedule for Milan-Cortina 2026, with the closing ceremony set for February 22. Shaidorov's victory will be celebrated in Kazakhstan, while Malinin faces questions about his future in the sport.
