Ilia Malinin: “Yuzuru has built a unique status in the world, and I don’t think anyone can surpass him. But reaching the level he was at during his competitive years gave me a huge sense of liberation.”
Interview with Ilia Malinin at Grand Prix Final held in Nagoya where he made history by landing seven quadruple jumps of six different types in the free skate, claiming victory.
original source: number.bunshun.jp dd. 6th January 2026 by Yoshie Noguchi
lia Malinin, after making history with seven quadruple jumps at the Grand Prix Final, shared his pride, respect for Yuzuru Hanyu, and his relentless drive to push the boundaries of figure skating – including training for a quintuple jump. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on Sports Graphic Number Web.
“It was one of the best performances of my life. I’m truly proud of what I accomplished. But I also gained some insights from that skate. In the months leading up to the Olympics, I want to improve even further and deliver a truly perfect performance – not just in jumps, but in spins and skating as well. I’m more confident that I can repeat this success at the Olympics, and at the same time, I’m excited by the thought that I can do even better.”
“Last year’s Grand Prix Final, I practiced for three months and only managed to land all seven quads cleanly a few times. So I wasn’t fully confident in the new elements when I competed. But this year, there were days when I could skate all seven perfectly at least once a week, so I was confident I could achieve the record at this competition.”
In 2024, he was disappointed by underrotation calls, but this time, he waited for his score with a sense of accomplishment and hope for the judges. The free skate score was 238.24, nearly ten points higher than his own world record.
“This year, I really gained confidence in my quads. Everyone has good days and bad days, but I practiced my free skate with seven quads every day. Thanks to that repetition, I found the optimal timing for each of the six types of quads.”
At the end of his free skate, instead of his usual pose – standing with legs crossed and raising his right arm – he instinctively opened both arms wide from his chest and stomped his right foot on the ice. It was the iconic finish from Yuzuru Hanyu’s “SEIMEI.”
“In that moment, a powerful emotion welled up inside me, and I suddenly imitated Yuzu (Hanyu). But I think it was inevitable. I truly respect Yuzuru, and he’s my greatest inspiration. So when I felt I’d given the best performance of my skating life, it was only natural to strike that pose.”
In fact, as a novice in the 2018–19 season, Malinin even competed in a Japanese-style costume inspired by “SEIMEI,” showing his admiration for Hanyu.
“Yuzuru has built a unique status in the world, and I don’t think anyone can surpass him. But reaching the level he was at during his competitive years gave me a huge sense of liberation. He always challenged records, broke scores, and pursued perfect skating. I realized my own passion for skating is exactly the same.”
Now, Malinin is the clear frontrunner for the Milano-Cortina Olympics and the closest contender for gold. What is he thinking?
“Whether I win gold or not is entirely up to me. But it’s precisely because of the pressure that I strive for perfect consistency in everything during practice. That way, instead of worrying about results, I can trust in my training and just let myself perform naturally.”
After the Grand Prix Final, Malinin posted a training video on social media showing “quad Axel + quad Axel.”
“I’m preparing for the quintuple jump. I’m getting close to being able to do it. After the Olympics, I want to train seriously and land it in front of an audience. Which type? Salchow, toe loop, Lutz, maybe Axel.”
When asked, “A quintuple Axel right away?” he replied, “Why not?” At first it seemed like a joke, but then he grew serious.
“I want to push myself as far as I can. I want to find out who I truly am. I’m a perfectionist, so I want to improve everything – technique, creativity, artistry. I want to know if there are any limits in the world.”
Related topics: grand prix final, Ilia Malinin, Olympic Games, Yuzuru Hanyu
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