U.S. skater Ilia Malinin, a 21-year-old from Virginia, made history with a gold medal-winning free skate that included a backflip known as “the Bonaly flip.” This move, named after French skater Surya Bonaly, was executed legally for the first time at the Olympics by Malinin, although it did not earn him technical points.
Malinin gained fame for being the first to successfully land the quadruple axel, a challenging jump in figure skating involving four and a half rotations in the air. His proficiency in executing quad jumps has earned him the nickname “Quad God,” which he proudly incorporates into his social media handles.
Renowned figure skater Kurt Browning from Canada, who accomplished the first ratified quad jump in competition in 1988, described the axel as the “king of jumps.” Browning explained that most figure skating jumps are landed on the back of the skate due to the difficulty of landing forward, making the axel unique.
Malinin’s exceptional talent for quad jumps is attributed to his forward takeoff technique and the influence of his Olympian parents and coaches, Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov, who competed for Uzbekistan. Despite his achievements, Malinin emphasizes the human aspect of skating, expressing a desire for fans to relate to him and see skaters as regular individuals.
Malinin’s outstanding skills and his ability to connect with audiences showcase his multifaceted talent and mental strength, setting him apart as a remarkable figure in the world of figure skating.