...
By Tyler Erzberger
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Ilia Malinin did not have the best Olympic Games debut in history.
The 21-year-old generational talent came into Milan wanting to change the face of figure skating forever, and though he impressed on Saturday, he was outdone by his Japanese rival, Yuma Kagiyama.
Although the Virginia native became the first skater to land a backflip in an official Olympic event, the overall performance from the man nicknamed "Quad God" fell short compared to Kagiyama's masterclass.
Read More on Sports
Whereas Kagiyama looked comfortable, stylish, and in sync with the ice beneath him, Malinin was rough and nervous beneath all his technical prowess and spins.
After his second-place finish in the short program for the team event, Malinin was honest with the media in Milan.
“Of course, it wasn’t the perfect, ideal, 100% skate that I would have wanted to have," said Malinin. "But for the standard I set for myself today, I think I achieved that. I presume to come into this team competition with only 50% of my full potential."
While it may sound overconfident or even arrogant to a casual viewer, Malinin's past results suggest he might be telling the truth. The phenom hasn't lost an event in over two years and is the back-to-back world championship.
In the short program, Malinin is amazing but beatable, as seen by Saturday's results and Kagiyama's victory over him at the most recent world championship.
The free skate, however, is where no one comes close to the American. In the longer, more physically grueling second half of figure skating, Malinin's power, technical prowess, and ability to fire off multiple quadruple jumps make him unbeatable unless he makes a mistake.
More news: Ilia Malinin Makes Olympic History With First-Ever Figure Skating Backflip
...
More news: Ilia Malinin Visibly Upset After Loss to Japan’s Kagiyama in Olympic Opener
And that's what Team USA is banking on come Sunday, after making the choice to have Malinin compete in the free skate portion of the team's event in their best shot for gold.
Japan will not be putting out Kagiyama, as he will get to rest before the men's competition next week.
While top teams with depth generally let their ace skater focus on the solo events to ensure they're fully rested, Malinin will be looking to win his first gold medal on Sunday night in Milan.
It could be a risky move to put so much pressure and work on the shoulders of a first-time Olympian, but it's what Malinin said he came to Italy to do.
He wants to be the face of figure skating.
On Sunday, following a shaky debut, he has the chance to write his own narrative.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines