Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov reacts after competing in the figure skating men's singles free skating final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on February 13, 2026. WANG ZHAO / AFP
US star Ilia Malinin suffered the biggest upset of the Winter Olympics on Friday as the overwhelming favorite for the men's figure skating title fell twice to finish off the podium, with Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan taking a surprise gold.
Malinin, a two-time defending world champion and undefeated for over two years, had been leading after Tuesday's short program, but he capitulated and ultimately finished 15th in the free skate, and eighth overall, after an error-strewn routine. "I was not expecting that. I felt like going into this competition, I was so ready," the 21-year-old said. "I just felt ready getting on that ice. But I think maybe that might have been the reason, that maybe I was too confident it was going to go well. Honestly, it happened. I can't process what just happened."
Before the Games, Malinin had admitted to not having a mental coach and had often joked that talking to his cats served as therapy. When asked whether his difficulties were more mental or physical, the American replied: "I think it was definitely mental." Despite leading by nearly five points after the short program, Malinin seemed overwhelmed by stress.
