Mikhail Shaidorov’s breathtaking free skate sent shockwaves through men’s figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Expected to crown American skater Ilia Malinin as champion, it was Shaidorov who stole the show by securing Kazakhstan’s first ever Olympic gold medal.
Starting from fifth place after the short program, Shaidorov delivered a dazzling performance in the free skate, culminating with 198.64 points and an overall score of 291.58 to claim victory. His achievement was a stunning upset, especially considering Malinin’s anticipated dominance based on his world championship title.
Shaidorov’s journey from fifth place had been remarkable. With four top skaters still to skate, he stayed in the lead and watched as the standings changed significantly. It wasn’t until the end that it dawned upon him – first silver, then gold was within reach. His composure during what could have easily been a nerve-wracking situation stood out amidst an otherwise chaotic field.
An incredible performance marked by five quadruple jumps including a quad lutz and quad toe loop, earned Shaidorov an 114.68 technical element score—a standout statistic that reflected his growing maturity and technical prowess. His program components of 83.96 further showcased his consistent improvement in form.
Malinin’s performance, which was expected to be flawless despite a planned seven-quad routine, suffered significant setbacks. Falling on the quad lutz, he also missed the scheduled quad axel and double salchow, resulting in an overall score of 264.49—a stark contrast from Shaidorov’s triumph.
“I can’t quite process what happened tonight,” Malinin expressed after his performance, adding that “it wasn’t the skate I wanted.”
However, despite the disappointment, Malinin’s graciousness didn’t wane. He congratulated Shaidorov and highlighted how much he admired the figure skating community as a family.
Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama came in second place with 280.06 points, securing his second consecutive Olympic runner-up finish. His compatriot, Shun Sato, climbed from ninth after the short program to win bronze with 274.90 points. South Korea’s Cha Jun-hwan finished fourth, and Canada’s Stephen Gogolev produced a top free skate for fifth place.
Shaidorov’s triumph made Kazakhstan’s first-ever Winter Olympic gold in any sport since 1994 possible. The achievement also marked the pinnacle of Malinin’s career, as his reputation alone couldn’t guarantee success. This victory heralded Shaidorov as more than just a contender; he became an Olympian history-maker.
For Russia, who had dominated men’s figure skating in recent years under Malinin’s leadership, this win was a significant shift away from the dominance they’ve previously enjoyed. In contrast to Malinin’s expected performance, Shaidorov not only won but did so with a level of skill and determination that will resonate well beyond the Winter Olympics.
Shaidorov’s victory sent a powerful message: in men’s figure skating, technical prowess alone isn’t enough; one must also perform flawlessly under pressure. His achievement has set new benchmarks for what is possible in this demanding sport.