Ilia Malinin dominated the U.S. Figure Skating Championships with a historic performance, landing six quad jumps—including his signature quad Axel—to secure back-to-back national titles. With a record-breaking score of 299.67, he surpassed Nathan Chen’s previous high and solidified his place as the future of men’s figure skating. Andrew Torgashev and Camden Pulkinen rounded out the podium with standout performances of their own. As Malinin sets his sights on the World Championships in Boston, the question remains: Can he claim global gold?
Ilia Malinin Dominates U.S. Figure Skating Championships
In a dazzling display of technical brilliance and artistic expression, 19-year-old Ilia Malinin cemented his status as America’s premier male figure skater with a record-shattering performance at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The young phenom’s extraordinary free skate not only secured him a second consecutive national title but also sent a clear message to his international competitors ahead of the upcoming World Championships.
Malinin’s Record-Breaking Performance
Sunday’s free skate program will be remembered as one of the most technically ambitious routines ever attempted on American ice. Skating to a medley of “Succession” soundtrack pieces, Malinin attempted an unprecedented seven quad jumps in his four-minute program – a feat that pushes the boundaries of what’s physically possible within the sport’s framework.
More remarkable still was his execution – Malinin successfully landed six of those seven quads, including his signature quad Axel, the most difficult jump currently being performed in competition. The quad Axel, featuring 4.5 rotations in the air, has become Malinin’s calling card and earned him the nickname “Quadg0d” on social media. His lone error came on a quad loop attempt, where he put his hand down on the landing.
“I was really happy with how I was able to pull through,” Malinin told reporters afterward. “Even with the mistake on the quad loop, I felt like I kept my composure through the rest of the program. That’s something I’ve been working on – not letting one error snowball into more problems.”
His scores reflected the extraordinary difficulty and overall quality of his performance. Malinin’s free skate scored 200.91 points, bringing his total to 299.67 – the highest combined score in U.S. Championships history, surpassing Nathan Chen’s previous record of 298.01 set in 2020. The performance wasn’t just about technical wizardry; judges also recognized his growing artistic maturity, with program component scores showing marked improvement from previous competitions.
Looking ahead to the World Championships in Boston this March, Malinin expressed both confidence and awareness of the work still to be done. “My goal is to skate two clean programs at Worlds. I know what I’m capable of, but I also know the international field is incredibly strong. I’ll need to be at my absolute best, especially with skaters like Yuma Kagiyama bringing their A-game.”
Other Medalists
Andrew Torgashev’s Silver Medal
Twenty-two-year-old Andrew Torgashev delivered the performance of his career to secure the silver medal. Skating to Alexey Kosenko’s “Caruso,” Torgashev executed a technically clean program featuring a quad toe loop, quad Salchow, and five triple jumps. His artistry and musicality particularly impressed the judges, earning him personal best scores of 177.53 in the free skate and 266.33 overall.
The silver medal represents a remarkable comeback for Torgashev, who has battled injuries throughout his career and finished a disappointing eighth at last year’s championships.
“This feels like validation for all the hard work and perseverance,” Torgashev said. “There were times when I wasn’t sure if I should continue skating, but moments like this make it all worthwhile. I’m just trying to take it all in and enjoy this feeling.”
Camden Pulkinen’s Bronze Medal
Camden Pulkinen, a 23-year-old Columbia University student, claimed the bronze medal with a powerful performance to music from “La Bohème.” His free skate included a quad toe loop and seven triple jumps, showcasing both technical skill and emotional depth. Though he stepped out of his opening quad toe loop, the rest of his program was executed with precision and artistry.
“Balancing full-time studies at Columbia with elite-level training isn’t easy, but moments like this make all those late nights worth it,” Pulkinen shared after his performance. “I came into these championships with a clear mind and just wanted to enjoy the experience. To walk away with a medal exceeds my expectations.”
Maxim Naumov’s Pewter Medal
Rounding out the top four was Maxim Naumov, who earned the pewter medal with a technically ambitious program that included two quad jump attempts. Though he fell on his quad Salchow attempt, his overall performance to “The Godfather” soundtrack showed remarkable resilience and artistic growth.
“Fourth place at nationals is a huge step forward for me,” said Naumov, who finished eighth last year. “I took some risks with my program that didn’t all pay off, but I’d rather push my boundaries than play it safe. This gives me something concrete to build on for next season.”
Significance and Context
Malinin’s dominance at these championships places him in rarefied air within figure skating history. At just 19, he’s already pushing technical boundaries that seemed impossible just a few years ago. His mastery of the quad Axel – a jump that eluded previous champions including Olympic gold medalist Nathan Chen – suggests that the technical ceiling in men’s figure skating continues to rise.
In the international context, Malinin’s performance positions him as a serious contender for gold at the upcoming World Championships. His main competition will likely come from Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, who has demonstrated similar technical prowess this season. The rivalry between these two young stars promises to define the next generation of men’s figure skating.
The overall depth displayed at these championships bodes well for the U.S. figure skating program. With Malinin leading the charge and skaters like Torgashev and Pulkinen showing significant improvement, Team USA appears poised to maintain its status as a powerhouse in men’s figure skating – continuing the legacy established by Chen, who retired after winning Olympic gold in 2022.
The World Championships in Boston this March will offer American fans a rare opportunity to see Malinin and his teammates compete on home ice against the world’s best. U.S. Figure Skating officials have expressed optimism about medal prospects across all disciplines.
“Having Worlds on home ice is always special,” Malinin noted. “There’s nothing like competing in front of an American crowd, and I’m already getting excited about skating in Boston. It’s going to be an incredible experience.”
Other Key Performances and Events
The men’s competition was just one highlight of a spectacular week of championship skating in Columbus, Ohio.
In the women’s competition, 24-year-old Amber Glenn made history by becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to win a U.S. figure skating title. Glenn’s emotional free skate to “My Way” brought the crowd to its feet and secured her first national championship after years of near-misses.
“This medal means everything to me,” Glenn said through tears. “Not just for myself, but for anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t belong in this sport. Representation matters, and I hope this shows that you can be authentically yourself and still achieve your dreams.”
The ice dance competition saw Madison Chock and Evan Bates claim their fifth national title with a mesmerizing free dance that showcased their unparalleled chemistry and innovation. The victory further cements their status as the premier ice dance team in the world heading into the World Championships.
In pairs, Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanova won their first national title with a dramatic free skate that featured impressive lifts and throw jumps. Their victory marks a promising new chapter for U.S. pairs skating, which has historically been the country’s weakest discipline at the international level.
As the championships concluded, all eyes now turn to the World Championships in Boston, where Team USA will look to convert their domestic success into international glory – with Ilia Malinin leading the charge and redefining what’s possible on the ice.
