‘Quad God’ Malinin to go for gold in Men’s Free Skating

‘Quad God’ Ilia Malinin (USA), pictured above, is the hot favorite in the Men’s Free Skating at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. With Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama and Adam Siao Him Fa of France not far behind, an epic competition awaits at the Milan Ice Skating Arena.

Who will have a lucky day on Friday the 13th? The competition will start at 19.00 local time. Here is what to expect…

Malinin ahead but rivals are not far behind

Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) will challenge Ilia Malinin for gold on Friday © Getty Images

Two-time ISU World Champion Ilia Malinin has a five-point lead over Yuma Kagiyama.
The question is whether Malinin will use his ultimate weapon, the quad Axel, and whether he goes again for a seven-quads program, as he did at the ISU Grand Prix Final in December.
Kagiyama won silver in Beijing in 2022 as a young newcomer and is looking to challenge Malinin.
Adam Siao Him Fa sits in third after the Short Program. Refreshed and refuelled after taking a break from competing in January, the Frenchman has set his eyes on a medal.
Daniel Grassl (ITA) in fourth was a surprise. Following the bronze medal in the Team Event and with the support of the home crowd, Grassl feels confident to attack.
The 2025 ISU World silver medalist, Mikhail Shaidorov, in fifth place, is prepared for the showdown and aims at earning Kazakhstan’s second Olympic figure skating medal.
Other top contenders to watch are: 2026 Four Continents silver medalist Junhwan Cha (KOR), French Champion Kevin Aymoz and ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalist Shun Sato (JPN).

Quick Facts

A total of 29 Men representing 20 NOCs and one Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) competed in the Short Program and the top 24 advanced to the Free Skating.
Kagiyama is the only returning medalist from the 2022 Olympic Games. He won silver four years ago.
The highest total score for Men is 335.30 points, set by Nathan Chen (USA) at the ISU Grand Prix Final 2019/20. Chen also holds the highest total score achieved at the Olympic Winter Games (332.60 points).
The highest score in the Men’s Free Skating currently is 238.24 points, achieved by Ilia Malinin at the ISU Grand Prix Final 2025/26. At the Olympic Games, the highest Free Skating score currently is 218.63 (Chen at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games).