Sports

Ilia Malinin Triumphs in Grand Prix Final with Stellar Showing; Shoma Uno is 2nd

In the Grand Prix Final men's free skate, Malinin fell hard on his opening quadruple axel, then he responded by landing a mind-blowing five quads.

Published

11 months ago

December 10, 2023

Jack Gallagher

Ilia Malinin competes in the men's free skate at the Grand Prix Final on December 9, 2023, in Beijing. (KYODO)

Read the full story on SportsLook - Ilia Malinin Triumphs in Grand Prix Final with Stellar Showing; Shoma Uno is 2nd

American Ilia Malinin put on a jumping exhibition on the way to winning the gold at the Grand Prix Final in Beijing on Saturday night, December 9.

The 19-year-old landed five quadruple jumps in his free skate on the way to an easy triumph at National Indoor Stadium.

Malinin, who was third at the world championships during the 2022-23 season, beat two-time world champion Shoma Uno by more than 17 points with a total score of 314.66. Uno fought hard but came up short with 297.34 to get the silver, while his compatriot Yuma Kagiyama claimed the bronze with 288.65.

France's Adam Siao Him Fa, the top scorer during the GP season, rebounded from a rough short program to take fourth with 278.28. An ill Kao Miura skated gamely but ended up fifth at 261.53, while France's Kevin Aymoz, who was injured, was sixth on 219.91.

Malinin skated to "Succession" and fell hard on his opening quadruple axel. The young star didn't let it set him back, however, and he responded by landing a mind-blowing five quads and added three triples.

He posted level fours on two of his spins and a level three on his step sequence and made more history with his quad loop that made him the first skater to land all six types of quads successfully in competition. The young phenom also established new personal bests for the free skate (207.76) and total score.

An 'Amazing' Feeling for the Grand Prix Final Winner

"I am feeling just amazing," Malinin stated. "There are no words for what just happened. I'm still trying to express [myself] and think of what is going on. It's an incredible feeling and I have never felt like this before."

Added Malinin, "When I came here, I was really just in such a great mood to skate, but coming here and knowing I had to trust my training and all the hours I have put in. I'm really glad I put it out here."

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Author: Jack Gallagher

The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan.