Ilia Malinin secured his third consecutive world figure skating title on Saturday in Prague, scoring a total of 329.40 points. The 21-year-old American, who finished eighth at the Winter Olympics just six weeks prior, delivered a near-flawless free skate that included five quadruple jumps, though he opted not to attempt the quad Axel—a jump that had plagued him in Milan.
Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama of Japan finished second with 306.67 points, while Shun Sato took bronze with 288.54. Malinin’s performance marked a strong rebound from his Olympic collapse, where he led after the short program but faltered in the free skate.
Malinin described the World Championships as a mental reset, stating he felt no pressure compared to the Olympics. He emphasized skating for himself rather than external expectations. The victory solidifies his status as one of the sport’s most dominant figures, though he acknowledged the quad Axel remains a challenge.
Following the win, Malinin announced plans to join the Stars on Ice tour alongside Kagiyama and Sato. He reflected on the season, calling it a period of growth and rediscovering his love for the sport. The free dance event concluded the competition later on Saturday.