Ilia Malinin made history by performing the first legal backflip at the Winter Olympics since 1998, but despite the groundbreaking move, he finished second behind Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama in the short program at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.
There are moments in sports that transcend the competition itself—moments that redefine what fans believe is humanly possible. When 21-year-old American figure skater Ilia Malinin took the ice at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 7, 2026, he delivered one such spectacle. Malinin successfully executed the first legal backflip at the Winter Olympics since Terry Kubicka’s attempt in 1976, conjuring roars from the crowd so loud they rivaled the volume of his own music. Yet, in a twist that baffled fans, the ‘Quad God’ still finished second behind Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama in the men’s single skating short program.
Why does this matter? Let’s break it down.
The Backflip Returns: A Forbidden Move Reclaims the Olympic Stage
The backflip was long considered taboo in the Olympics. After American Terry Kubicka performed it in 1976, the International Skating Union (ISU) banned the move a year later, citing safety concerns. For decades, it remained in the shadows—until Malinin and the 2026 Games reignited the debate.
French skater Surya Bonaly famously attempted a one-footed landing on a backflip during the 1998 Winter Olympics, incurring a deduction. It wasn’t until 2024 that the ISU made a historic U-turn, officially restoring the backflip to legal status in competition. Malinin, known for his fearless approach, wasted no time incorporating it into his routines. And at the 2026 Winter Olympics, on the world’s biggest stage, he delivered perfection.
“It was fun,” Malinin told reporters afterward. “I mean, come on, the audience just roared and they were just out of control. Really that just helped me feel the gratitude of the Olympic stage.”
His routine sparked pure emotion—joy, wonder, and the kind of excitement that only a record-breaking moment can inspire. Fans across the globe took to social media to celebrate, calling it a long-overdue triumph of skill, courage, and artistic expression. The backflip wasn’t just a trick—it was a statement.
A Technical Marvel Overshadowed by Points, Not Power
Despite the groundbreaking moment, Malinin’s performance earned him a score of 98.00—enough for second place, but not enough to top Kagiyama’s 108.67. The score shocked fans who felt his blend of innovation, difficulty, and showmanship should have placed him at the top.
The difference came down to precision. Kagiyama, known for his surgical accuracy and fluid transitions, executed clean jumps and spins without the minor reductions that Malinin faced for his under-rotated quad Lutz and a deduction on his flying sit spin. In figure skating, where every tenth of a point matters, even the slightest imperfections can shift scenarios.
Yet, Malinin’s decision to prioritize innovation over points speaks to his status as a revolution in the sport. He didn’t need the highest score to prove his dominance—he reshaped the sport’s boundaries. The question now: Will judges and fans eventually learn to weigh groundbreaking moments as highly as technical perfection?
Why Malinin’s Career Is Already Legendary
‘Ilia Malinin’ and ‘historic’ have become synonymous. Known as the “Quad God,” the 21-year-old published his name in skating history in 2022 when he became the first skater ever to land a quad Axel in competition—a high-risk jump involving 4½ rotations. Since then, he has dominated the sport, winning back-to-back world championships in 2024 and 2025.
His style merges jaw-dropping power with graceful expression, redefining the athlete-artist duality in figure skating. At the 2026 Winter Olympics, he entered as a heavy gold medal favorite. By choosing to replace his signature quad Axel with a quad flip in the team event, Malinin traded a familiar point-earner for the backflip—a nod to the Olympic spirit of pushing boundaries.
Yet, the choice revealed his humanity. Even the greatest aren’t infallible. His quad Lutz under-rotation and sit spin deduction underscored the idea that innovation carries risk, and even the ‘Quad God’ is vulnerable under pressure. But vulnerability doesn’t diminish dominance. It humanizes heroes.
Team USA Hoholds Top Spot Amidst Historic Frenzy
Despite Malinin’s scoring position, Team USA retained the lead in the team event with 34 points, just one point ahead of Japan. Kagiyama’s first-place finish injected intense competition into what was expected to be a US-dominated narrative. Italy followed closely in third with 28 points.
With the team event finals looming, Malinin’s presence remains a cornerstone for Team USA. The backflip performance—historically significant—has already energized fans worldwide and set the tone for the broader narrative: this isn’t just about medals. It’s about legacy.
Malinin isn’t done yet. Next week, he will compete in the men’s single skating short program and free skate events—his chance to rewrite history again. One question remains: After this move, what’s next?
What’s Ahead for Ilia Malinin and Olympic Figure Skating?
Malinin’s Olympic journey at Milano Cortina has only begun. As the most anticipated figure skater of these Games, every performance becomes a chapter in his legacy. Fans will be watching closely:
- Will he reintroduce the quad Axel in the free skate, upping the stakes with his signature 4½ rotation?
- Can the next generation of skaters keep pace with his progression and depth?
- How will judges weigh innovation against perfection in future scoring?
These moments reshape sports. Not because of points, but because of passion. The backflip isn’t just a move—it’s a symbol of the fearless spirit that defines Olympic achievement.
For Malinin, the narrative is clear: This is only the beginning. Stay tuned as onlytrustedinfo.com brings you the fastest, deepest, and most authoritative analysis of Ilia Malinin’s journey and the stories rewriting the future of figure skating. We don’t just cover the news—we connect the dots faster than anyone else.
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