Ilia Malinin, the “Quad God,” Wins 2nd Consecutive World Figure Skating Title, Becomes Favorite for 2026 Olympics

**Ilia Malinin, Skater Dubbed “Quad God,” Triumphs with Second Consecutive World Title**

Ilia Malinin, known in the skating world as the “Quad God,” has secured his second consecutive World Figure Skating Championship title. Hailing from Fairfax, Va., the 20-year-old wowed the audience by executing six quadruple jumps, including the notoriously difficult quad Axel, ultimately clinching the gold in Boston.

Malinin’s remarkable performance left the competition in his wake, scoring a total of 318.56 points, surpassing silver medalist Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan by a staggering 31.09 points. Yuma Kagiyama from Japan managed to secure the bronze despite facing challenges during the free skate segment.

In a post-victory interview, a elated Malinin expressed, “I was just really trained. I just wanted to give it my all and really fight for every element. I really feel like I did that here.”

By finishing in 8th place, Malinin’s teammate Jason Brown also contributed to ensuring Team USA secures three spots at the upcoming Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy. Malinin’s winning routine was set to a horror-themed soundtrack, featuring the song “I’m Not a Vampire,” concluding with a spectacular backflip – a newly approved move by the International Skating Union this season.

While his performance wasn’t flawless, with a doubled Lutz in the latter half of the routine, Malinin’s technical prowess secured his victory with ease. As a two-time world champion, he now heads into the next Olympics as the crowd favourite, poised for the ultimate success in Milano Cortina.

Having missed out on the opportunity to compete in the previous Olympics after finishing behind Nathan Chen at the 2022 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Malinin has surely stamped his authority on the world stage with this emphatic win in Boston. Not being selected for the Olympics previously, he has paved his own way to success by claiming this prestigious title.

His victory in Boston places Malinin in the esteemed company of other American figure skating legends such as Dick Button, Hayes Alan Jenkins, David Jenkins, and more recent champions including Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano, Evan Lysacek and Nathan Chen.

The excitement at the Championships didn’t end with Malinin’s triumph, as American ice dancing pair Madison Chock and Evan Bates secured their third consecutive victory, while Alysa Liu claimed the women’s title, affirming Team USA’s dominance across multiple disciplines.

This year’s success marks a significant achievement for American figure skating, reminiscent of the last time the U.S. claimed gold in both men’s and women’s events in 1996. The country’s strong showing at the World Figure Skating Championships sets a promising tone for future competitions and showcases the incredible talent within the American skating community.

As the championships wrapped up with an impressive display of skill and artistry, fans and critics alike are eagerly anticipating Malinin’s future performances and his potential Olympic glory in the coming year. With such a stellar track record and undeniable talent, he is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with on the ice.