MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 07: Ilia Malinin of Team United States competes in Men’s Single Skating – Short Program Team Event on day one of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 07, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Joosep Martinson/Getty Images)

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Cole Sullivan

By Cole Sullivan

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Now weeks removed from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, American figure skater Ilia Malinin shifted his focus to the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships, which are set to take place later this month in Prague, Czechia.

However, while his Olympic showing didn’t go exactly as planned — falling twice and finishing eighth in the men’s free skate final, a singles event he was widely favored to win — he didn’t leave empty-handed, winning gold in the team event for the United States.

He also delivered several memorable moments that are still receiving recognition weeks after the Games. The latest came Monday, when Malinin was nominated for Best Costume (“A Voice – Version 2”) and Most Entertaining Program (“The Lost Crown”) at this year’s ISU Skating Awards.

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Ilia Malinin’s massive fanbase quickly reacted to the news online.

“Go vote for our boy,” one fan wrote.

Another added, “Oh, he better win this.”

“I hope we have to see him give two acceptance speeches again,” another person commented.

“That costume better win,” one more fan wrote.

Ilia Malinin of Team United States competes in Men's Single Skating - Short Program Team Event on day one of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 07, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Joosep Martinson/Getty Images)

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The recognition comes just days after Malinin was named the Fair Play Award winner from the 2026 Winter Olympics for displaying outstanding sportsmanship during the Games. Following his disappointing skate that resulted in an eighth-place finish, Malinin was the first to greet gold medalist Mikhail Shaidorov.

If Malinin brings home either of the ISU Skating Awards this year, it certainly wouldn’t be his first. He previously won the Special Achievement Award in 2023, was named Most Valuable Skater in 2024, and took home both Skater of the Year and Most Entertaining Program at the 2025 awards.

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