Ilia Malinin

Ilia Malinin: The Quad God Redefining Figure Skating

Early Life and Family Background

Ilia Malinin was born on December 2, 2004, in Fairfax, Virginia, USA. He is the son of former Olympic figure skaters Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov, who represented Uzbekistan in international competitions. Growing up in a skating family, Ilia was introduced to the ice at the age of six, inspired by his parents' achievements in the sport. He began his training at the Washington Figure Skating Club and currently trains in Reston, Virginia, under the guidance of his parents and coach Rafael Arutyunyan. 

Rise to Prominence

Ilia's ascent in the figure skating world has been marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements. In 2022, he became the first skater in history to successfully land a quadruple Axel in competition, a feat widely regarded as the most challenging jump in figure skating. This accomplishment earned him the nickname "Quad God" and a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. 

His technical prowess continued to shine as he became the first skater to perform all six types of quadruple jumps—Axel, Lutz, Flip, Loop, Salchow, and Toe Loop—in a single program. This remarkable feat was achieved during the Grand Prix Final in Beijing in 2023. 

Competitive Achievements

Ilia's competitive record is a testament to his dedication and skill:

• World Champion: 2024, 2025

• World Bronze Medalist: 2023

• Grand Prix Final Champion: 2023, 2024

• U.S. National Champion: 2023, 2024, 2025

• World Junior Champion: 2022

• World Team Trophy Champion (Team USA): 2023, 2025 

At the 2024 World Championships in Boston, Ilia delivered a stellar performance, landing six quadruple jumps and earning a record-breaking free skate score of 227.79 points. His total score of 318.56 points secured his second consecutive world title. 

Personal Life and Interests

Outside of skating, Ilia is a student at George Mason University. He balances his academic pursuits with his rigorous training schedule. Ilia has a passion for fashion, skateboarding, video games, painting, drawing, writing stories, and creating music. His diverse interests contribute to his dynamic presence both on and off the ice. 

Looking Ahead

As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina approach, Ilia Malinin is widely regarded as a leading contender for the gold medal in men's figure skating. His relentless pursuit of technical excellence and his innovative approach to the sport continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Ilia's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring skaters and a testament to the heights that can be achieved through dedication and passion.