U.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin, a 21-year-old from Virginia, made history with a remarkable backflip during his gold medal-winning free skate performance. This move, known as “the Bonaly flip,” was first executed by French skater Surya Bonaly at the 1998 Nagano Games when it was prohibited. Malinin became the first skater to officially perform this move at the Olympics, showcasing his passion for the sport despite not gaining any technical points.
Additionally, Malinin gained recognition for successfully landing the quadruple axel, a challenging jump in figure skating, during a competition in 2022 at the age of 17. This jump involves a forward takeoff and four and a half rotations in the air, setting it apart from other jumps in the sport. His proficiency in executing quad jumps earned him the moniker “Quad God,” a title he proudly incorporates into his social media presence.
Renowned sports writer Pj Kwong praised Malinin’s natural talent for jumping and acknowledged the influence of previous jumpers who inspired him to push boundaries in the sport. The achievement of landing the quadruple axel in competition was a testament to Malinin’s exceptional abilities and determination.
Malinin, whose parents Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov are former Olympic skaters, comes from a family with a strong skating background. Despite his exceptional skills and achievements, Malinin emphasized his humanity, expressing a desire for others to relate to him as a person beyond his extraordinary feats on the ice.
Canadian figure skating legend Kurt Browning highlighted the difficulty and uniqueness of the quadruple axel jump, emphasizing its forward takeoff as a distinguishing factor from other jumps in figure skating. Browning praised Malinin’s technical prowess and mental strength, attributing his success in landing the quad axel to a combination of factors, including his strong takeoff and aerial control.
Malinin’s remarkable performances and dedication to the sport have solidified his status as a standout figure in the world of figure skating, inspiring admiration and respect from fans and fellow athletes alike.