The men’s figure skating free skate at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 13, 2026, produced one of the most unpredictable finals in Olympic history. Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan emerged victorious with the only clean performance among the top six, earning gold and delivering his nation’s first Winter Olympic medal since 1994. Pre-tournament favorite Ilia Malinin of the USA endured a nightmare, falling twice and finishing eighth, while Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato claimed silver and bronze. This chaotic event highlighted the razor-thin margins and immense pressure defining elite figure skating.
The Final’s Unforeseen Drama
Five of the final six skaters suffered falls, turning expectations upside down. Shaidorov, 21, avoided errors with two clean quad techniques despite a slight slip on his lutz, capitalizing on rivals’ mistakes for a career-defining score.
Kagiyama, regarded as Malinin’s closest challenger, fell on a quad flip but recovered for silver. Sato’s consistency secured bronze. The field showcased women’s freestyle depth translated to men: ambition yielding high rewards or costly penalties.
Malinin’s routine devastated fans. Leading after the short program by five points, the 21-year-old debutant—nicknamed ‘Quad God’ for pioneering the quadruple axel—opted for caution, subbing the move for a single axel and reducing others (quad loop to double, quad salchow mishandled).
Falls on quad lutz and subsequent elements compounded issues, earning the 15th-best free skate score (156.33)—over 40 behind Shaidorov. Visibly shaken, Malinin grabbed his hair and knelt, later congratulating the winner graciously.
Medal Standings: Men’s Figure Skating Final
| Rank | Skater | Nation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mikhail Shaidorov | Kazakhstan | Clean skate; historic gold |
| 2 | Yuma Kagiyama | Japan | Fall on quad flip; strong recovery |
| 3 | Shun Sato | Japan | Consistent; bronze |
| 8 | Ilia Malinin | USA | Multiple falls; reduced jumps |
Malinin’s Pressure and Preparation
Malinin entered unbeaten in two-and-a-half years, boasting seven quads in routines like his 30-point Grand Prix Final win. Criticism followed team event errors, prompting isolation training in Bergamo for reset.
His short program dominance suggested readiness, but the free skate exposed vulnerability. No quadruple axel attempt—registered but omitted—signaled conservatism gone awry.
Malinin’s backflip (legal again, first one-footed at Olympics) entertained but couldn’t salvage the night.
Shaidorov’s Historic Triumph
Shaidorov’s gold ends Kazakhstan’s 32-year Winter medal drought (last: Vladimir Smirnov, cross-country 1994). Born post-that achievement, the 21-year-old’s composure amid favorites’ chaos marks a breakthrough.
Broader Context at Milano Cortina 2026
The final capped a week of surprises, following Team GB’s skeleton gold and other upsets. With events continuing to February 22, figure skating’s unpredictability captivates.
Malinin’s mortal display humanizes the ‘Quad God,’ while Shaidorov’s rise celebrates underdogs. This Olympic chapter reminds: pressure forges legends or reveals fragility.
As the Games progress, skating fans reflect on a night where dreams soared—and shattered—in equal measure.
