The Moment of Truth: Ilia Malinin's Path to Olympic Glory

Ilia Malinin: The Rise of the 'Quad God'

On Friday, February 10, 2026, Team USA's Ilia Malinin, famously dubbed the 'Quad God', will have the opportunity to etch his name into Olympic history once more. This competition is more than just another phase in his career; it's a definitive moment that could solidify his status as one of the all-time greats in men's figure skating.

“Either he will win his second gold medal at the Olympics or face one of the biggest upsets in figure skating history.”

The Stakes: What's on the Line?

Malinin enters the free skate finale as the overwhelming favorite, particularly after a stellar showing in the short program that has him leading the pack. However, as any seasoned athlete knows, the pressure can increase dramatically in the final moments of competition, casting shadows over even the strongest performances. His unbeaten streak of over two years adds an additional layer of expectation.

Meet the Competitors

While Malinin stands at the forefront, he is not without challengers eager to take him down. Japan's Yuma Kagiyama is hungry for redemption after finishing second four years ago, where he was overshadowed by another American prodigy, Nathan Chen. This time, Kagiyama aims to don the gold medal instead of remain in the shadow of his predecessors.

France's Adam Siao Him Fa also brings a fearless spirit, showcasing a willingness to attempt daring maneuvers like backflips in competition, thus signaling that he won't simply roll over for Malinin.

Final Preparations: The Entry List and Schedule

The anticipation surrounding the event is palpable, with the figure skating community buzzing about the upcoming performances. The full entry list and start times for the qualified men's figure skaters competing for podium positions have been meticulously organized:

Group 1

• 1:08 PM–1:15 PM — Yu-Hsiang Li (TPE) — 72.41 Points
• 1:15 PM–1:23 PM — Donovan Carrillo (MEX) — 75.56 Points
• 1:23 PM–1:31 PM — Kao Miura (JPN) — 76.77 Points
• 1:31 PM–1:39 PM — Vladimir Samoilov (POL) — 77.57 Points
• 1:39 PM–1:47 PM — Adam Hagara (SVK) — 80.30 Points
• 1:47 PM–1:55 PM — Lukas Britschgi (SUI) — 80.87 Points

Group 2

• 2:03 PM–2:10 PM — Aleksandr Selevko (EST) — 82.02 Points
• 2:10 PM–2:18 PM — Deniss Vasiljevs (LAT) — 82.44 Points
• 2:18 PM–2:26 PM — Matteo Rizzo (ITA) — 84.30 Points
• 2:26 PM–2:34 PM — Nika Egadze (GEO) — 85.11 Points
• 2:34 PM–2:42 PM — Maxim Naumov (USA) — 85.65 Points
• 2:42 PM–2:50 PM — Boyang Jin (CHN) — 86.55 Points

Group 3

• 3:13 PM–3:20 PM — Petr Gumennik (AIN) — 86.72 Points
• 3:20 PM–3:28 PM — Kyrylo Marsak (UKR) — 86.89 Points
• 3:28 PM–3:36 PM — Stephen Gogolev (CAN) — 87.41 Points
• 3:36 PM–3:44 PM — Shun Sato (JPN) — 88.70 Points
• 3:44 PM–3:52 PM — Andrew Torgashev (USA) — 88.94 Points
• 3:52 PM–4:00 PM — Kevin Aymoz (FRA) — 92.64 Points

Group 4

• 4:08 PM–4:16 PM — Junhwan Cha (KOR) — 92.72 Points
• 4:16 PM–4:24 PM — Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) — 92.94 Points
• 4:24 PM–4:32 PM — Daniel Grassl (ITA) — 93.46 Points
• 4:32 PM–4:40 PM — Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) — 102.55 Points
• 4:40 PM–4:48 PM — Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) — 103.07 Points
• 4:48 PM–4:57 PM — Ilia Malinin (USA) — 108.16 Points

What to Expect?

This evening's competition is set to be a landmark moment, filled with excitement, tension, and heart. As we tune in, it's not merely about skating; it's about witnessing history unfold on the ice. I'll be watching closely, and I encourage all of you to join me in rooting for this remarkable athlete as he embraces the monumental challenge ahead.