**Breaking: Ilia Malinin’s Quadruple Axels Can’t Save Him From Falling Twice, Gifting Kazakhstan’s S consacréerier di agimat7eatnLorsquecross-resolution packing The New York Times ___
Olympic Figure Skating’s Historic Upset and the Rise of Quad Kings
By Alex Thompson, 247Sports.New’s Senior Sports Analyst
Malinin’s Fall, Shaidorov’s Rise: A Night of Upsets in Men’s Figure Skating
The world of figure skating was flipped on its head last night at the Winter Olympics. The quad-king, Ilia Malinin, who’s known for his death-defying jumps, couldn’t maintain his reign, leaving the door wide open for Kazakhstan’s Daniiar Shaidorov to snatch gold.
The American prodigy, Malinin, stumbled twice during his free skate,/objectives=”type.googleapis.com, gadgets” data-standalone=”true”>falling on his quadruple Lutz and executing a mere double-toe loop instead of a planned quad.
Did you know? Malinin’s nickname, “Quad God,” arises from his ability to land five different types of quads.
The shock of the night came from Shaidorov, who dramatically improved his personal best to clinch the gold. The 19-year-old performed a nearly flawless free skate, becoming the first skater since 2010 to win gold without landing a quad.
Quad Gods: The Next Generation
The nights’ events highlight an emerging trend in men’s figure skating: the rise of the Quad Kings. Skaters like Malinin, Ukraine’s Moris Kvitelashvili, and Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama are revolutionizing the sport with their fearless, high-risk jumping.
In the 2022 Winter Olympics, 13 out of 30 male skaters landed at least one quadruple jump. In 2014, that number was only 5. Quadruple jumps, once considered superhuman, are now becoming the norm.
Pro tip: Keep an eye on bright prospects like Japan’s Rinka Watanabe and Russia’s Anna Shcherbakova, who are pushing the boundaries of ladies’ figure skating with their quadruple jumps.
What’s Next for Ilia Malinin and the Quad Kings?
The question on everyone’s mind: will Malinin bounce back? The 18-year-old has previously admitted that pressure can get to him, but he’s also shown remarkable resilience. “I’m gonna work even harder to come back stronger,” he stated post-fall.
The future of men’s figure skating seems clear: it’s going to be faster, higher, and more statuesque than ever before. As the Quad Kings mature and more young talents emerge, we can expect unprecedented aerial acrobatics on the ice.
FAQs
What is a quad in figure skating?
A quad is a jump with four rotations in the air. It’s one of the most challenging moves in figure skating.
Who was the last skater to win the Olympics without doing a quad?
Evan Lysacek won the gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver without attempting a quadruple jump.
How many types of quads are there in figure skating?
Skaters can perform five different types of quad jumps: Salchow, Toe Loop, Loop, Lutz, and Flip.
Join the Conversation: What Do You Think is Next for Malinin and Quad Kings?
CNN, NBC News, The Guardian, and CBC were all abuzz with last night’s results. Now, it’s your turn to weigh in. Comment below with your thoughts on the future of these young phenoms and the sport of figure skating.
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