MALININ RECOVERS FROM OLYMPIC DISASTER WITH THIRD STRAIGHT GOLD AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
AFPGold medallist Ilia Malinin celebrates on the podium during the men’s free skating medal ceremony at the world championships in Prague. US figure skating star Ilia Malinin secured his third consecutive men’s gold at the world championships, triumphing a month after experiencing a significant setback at the Winter Olympics.
Malinin showcased remarkable consistency throughout the event, leading from beginning to end, ultimately clinching the title with a commanding margin of 22.73 points over Japanese skater Yuma Kagiyama, who claimed the silver medal. Meanwhile, Japan’s Shun Sato earned the bronze medal following the free skating final.
Taking place in Prague just weeks after the Olympics, where Malinin was touted as the frontrunner, this world championship presented a pivotal opportunity for redemption. Despite entering the Olympics as a dominant favorite, Malinin faced immense pressure and finished an unexpected eighth after an inability to sustain his performance in the free skate.
At the Olympics, Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov ultimately took the gold ahead of Kagiyama and Sato, while Shaidorov himself chose to forgo the world championships. Responding to the setbacks of the Olympics, 21-year-old Malinin returned to the competition scene with intense preparation, boasting a 9.44-point lead from the short program to the free skating final.
In an impressive display, Malinin executed five quadruple jumps, earning an outstanding score of 218.11 points for his free skate and a cumulative total of 329.40 points. Kagiyama, after initially placing sixth in the short program, rallied to secure his fifth world medal with a score of 306.67 points.
Shun Sato’s performance marked a personal achievement as he ascended to the podium for the first time, moving up from fourth place after France’s Adam Siao Him Fa faltered during his routine, dropping from second to fifth position.
