Malinin Claims Short Program at ISU Grand Prix Final in Beijing
American figure skater Ilya Malinin topped the short program during the ISU Grand Prix Final held in Beijing. The 19-year-old athlete helped set the tone for the event by delivering a flawless quad Axel on opening day, earning 106.9 points from the judging panel. The performance showcased his technical prowess and contributed to a strong start for the competition’s overall narrative.
Close behind Malinin, Japan’s Shoma Uno finished in second place in the short program, trailing by 0.88 points. Another Japanese skater, Yuma Kagiyama, rounded out the top three with a score of 103.72. The early rankings highlighted a competitive field where skaters from Asia and beyond were chasing consistency and high-difficulty elements in a high-stakes format.
Rounding out the top six after the short program were Kao Miura of Japan and two French competitors, Kevin Aimo and Adam Xiao Him Fa, signaling a diverse mix of contenders poised to challenge for medals in the final stages of the event.
In a separate milestone within the sport, September 2022 saw Malinin executing a quadruple Axel in the free program for the first time in history during the US International Classic in Lake Placid. This groundbreaking performance earned him a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the feat, cementing his role in advancing the technical limits of men’s figure skating.
The broader context of global sport governance also influenced the competitive landscape. In February 2022, the International Olympic Committee urged international federations to prevent the participation of domestic and Belarusian athletes in certain competitions. Following the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games, Russian figure skaters faced suspensions that barred them from international competition, underscoring the multifaceted nature of eligibility, sanctions, and competition dynamics in elite sport.
Irina Slutskaya, a former world champion, has also been referenced in discussions around the sport, reflecting the ongoing legacy and the evolving generation of skaters striving for excellence on the ice.