Men’s figure skating team event heats up with Kagiyama stunning Malinin

Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama just shocked the figure skating world by stunning Ilia Malinin, the so-called Quad God. Kagiyama’s dominant short program performance at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics delivered a stunning 108.67 points, nearly 11 points ahead of Malinin in the team event. What happens next in this thrilling rivalry will decide who takes home Olympic gold.

Kagiyama’s Stunning Upset Over Malinin

Yuma Kagiyama delivered the performance of a lifetime in Saturday’s short program. The Japanese skater landed two nearly-flawless quad jumps, including a quad toe-triple toe combination and a quad salchow, capping his routine with a peerless triple axel. His 108.67 score sent shockwaves through Milano Ice Skating Arena. When his results appeared on the scoreboard, Kagiyama leaped from his seat with clenched fists raised high, fully aware of the magnitude of his upset.

Ilia Malinin, the 21-year-old world champion and reigning favorite, found himself playing catch-up. Malinin performed a quad flip opening jump and finished his program with a quad lutz-triple toe loop combination for bonus points. Yet his 98.00 score placed him in second, nearly 11 points behind his rival. Visibly stunned when his score was announced, Malinin later acknowledged his subpar performance. “That’s only 50% of my full potential here,” he said in a postgame interview, signaling disappointment in his Olympic debut.

The Quad God Takes on Japan’s Rising Star

Malinin, earning the nickname Quad God for his mastery of four-revolution jumps, came to Milan as the heavy favorite. The two-time World Champion has been unbeaten in his last 14 full competitions spanning more than two years. His legendary quad axel, the 4.5-revolution jump only he has ever landed in international competition, normally terrifies rivals. But on Saturday, he didn’t attempt it, substituting a triple jump instead. That calculated decision hints at his strategy for the long program coming Sunday.

Kagiyama, a three-time World silver medalist, has always been the athlete capable of beating Malinin on his best days. The 2022 Olympic silver medalist has been hunting his American rival for years. As Kagiyama noted after his stunning victory: “I always receive good motivation from Ilia because he is one of the skaters who created this figure skating moment.” Saturday’s triumph proved he has the skill to dethrone the current king of men’s figure skating.

Team USA vs. Team Japan: The Gold Medal Race

The defending champion United States holds a 5-point advantage entering the final day of competition. However, Kagiyama’s triumph proves Japan is far from out of contention. Team USA benefited from a stellar performance by Madison Chock and Evan Bates, the ice dance pair who earned a season-best 133.23 points with their flamenco-styled “Paint It Black” free dance. Their victory provided crucial momentum heading into Sunday’s decisive competitions.

“You know, I think I got to buckle down and see what happens and get better next time. We will work it out.”

— Ilia Malinin, Two-Time World Champion

Why Saturday’s Upset Matters for Sunday’s Final

Psychological momentum in team competition carries enormous weight. Kagiyama’s dominant performance has energized Japan and planted seeds of doubt about Malinin’s invincibility. The American star himself acknowledged his struggles in an interview. He came to the Olympics as an overwhelming favorite and unexpectedly sits behind his fiercest rival. The free skate competition Sunday will determine whether Malinin can mount a comeback or if Kagiyama’s momentum continues rolling. Japan’s entire team has performed with exceptional poise. Pairs world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara and women’s competitor Kaori Sakamoto have all delivered strong short program performances. The Japanese team is positioned to compete for gold heading into the final day.

The 2026 Winter Olympics men’s figure skating team event has delivered a shocking twist. Malinin’s Olympic debut, while solid by most standards, fell short of expectations. His unbeaten 14-competition streak is still intact (counting long programs only), but his dominance has been challenged. Expect Malinin to respond with an aggressive free skate featuring his trademark quad axel and other technical elements he held back Saturday. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion Sunday at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

Can the Quad God Reclaim His Crown on Sunday?

Figure skating’s most compelling question now hangs over Milan. Will Ilia Malinin bounce back to his championship form, or has Yuma Kagiyama finally found the key to defeating the Quad God? The American team holds a slight lead, but Japan’s surge on Day One proves they have the collective strength to win gold. A stunning upset Saturday set the stage for one final dramatic chapter. The men’s free skate could determine not just individual medals, but Team USA’s chances at Olympic glory.

Sources

• CBS News – Comprehensive coverage of Malinin and Kagiyama’s short program performances and team standings
• NBC Olympics – Official Olympic results and team event scoring data from February 7, 2026
• The Olympics Official Site – Complete team competition details and athlete profiles at Milano Cortina 2026

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.