After following a record-breaking performance in the free skate at the global Figure Skating Championship, landing one helped Ilia Malinin win his first-ever global championship.
The 19-year-old was in third place after the short program that happened days before. He then told reporters that he was having both physical and mental difficulties leading up to these global championships. For the free skate competition, he was drawn and gave an outstanding performance that saw him earn 227.79, the highest point ever in this competition.
Malinin declared after his victory: “It means so much to me… The last few weeks were such a mental and physical challenge to go through.”
Malinin – Last-minute decision
“I was even debating whether I should come here or not. It was the last minute, but I wanted to come here to see what I could put out on the ice. I am so glad to be here on top right now,” he added.
Skating to music from the television show “Succession,” Malinin started off his free skate with a quadruple axel, then shocked the audience by nailing five more quad jumps. He is the only man to successfully execute a quadruple axel. He defeated Kagiyama Yuma of Japan in second place and Adam Siao Him Fa of France in third.
The skater stated: “There was a little voice in my head: ‘No matter what, you have to keep fighting, keep going, no matter how bad you feel you just have to know that you’re capable of.’”
Ilia Malinin’s gold medal was the US’s second at this World Championships.
Cover Photo: IG
Source: CNN