Quad God Ilia Malinin Lands Historic Quad Axel to Seize Figure Skating Gold at Milan Olympics

Ilia Malinin’s ascent from junior prodigy to global phenomenon has reshaped men’s figure skating. The 21-year-old American, dubbed the “Quad God” for his effortless mastery of quadruple jumps, is the only athlete ever to land a clean quadruple axel in competition—a gravity-defying 4½-revolution leap once thought impossible. Heading into the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Malinin is already a two-time world champion and the odds-on favorite for men’s gold. Coaches and analysts say his combination of explosive athleticism and refined artistry could push technical scores—and the sport’s popularity—to unprecedented heights. Malinin’s signature jump arsenal now includes five different quads (toe loop, salchow, loop, lutz and axel), executed with soaring height and near-perfect exits that preserve speed for seamless step sequences. In early-season Grand Prix events he posted record short-program component scores, silencing critics who labeled him “just a jumper.” Off the ice, he studies ballet and gymnastics to sharpen body alignment, crediting those cross-training sessions for “making the quad axel feel natural.” The marketing appeal is equally sky-high. Social-media clips of his practices routinely rack up millions of views, while #QuadGod trends after every competitive appearance. U.S. broadcasters have already slotted Malinin into prime-time Olympic coverage, betting that his attempt to expand the quad repertoire—he teased a potential quad flip-axel combo in a recent livestream—will drive ratings among casual fans. Yet insiders caution that the Olympic crown is far from guaranteed. Rising rivals from Japan and Canada are upgrading their jump content, and the high-risk landings leave no margin for error. Malinin embraces the pressure: “If I’m not challenging what’s possible, I’m not doing my job,” he told reporters after unveiling a flawless quad-axel/triple-toe combination at U.S. Nationals. Sports-science teams are also watching closely. Biomechanical studies estimate Malinin generates more than 1,400 degrees per second of rotational velocity during take-off—nearly double the rate recorded a decade ago—hinting at new thresholds for athlete conditioning. With the Olympic season underway, every outing becomes a test run for February’s spotlight. Whether he adds another historic element or refines the program he already dominates, one truth is clear: the “Quad God” era is redefining what humans can achieve on ice, and the world will be glued to see how far Ilia Malinin can fly.