Ilia Malinin, born on December 2, 2004, in Fairfax, Virginia, is an American figure skater renowned for his exceptional technical skills and groundbreaking performances. He currently resides in Vienna, Virginia, and trains under the guidance of coaches Tatiana Malinina, Roman Skorniakov, and Rafael Arutyunyan.
Malinin has achieved remarkable success in his career, including winning the World Figure Skating Championships in 2024 and 2025. In the 2025 championships held in Boston, he delivered a stellar performance featuring six quadruple jumps, including the challenging quadruple Axel, earning a total score of 318.56 points. This victory solidified his status as a leading contender for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
Beyond his world championship titles, Malinin has secured multiple accolades, such as two Grand Prix Final championships and three U.S. national championships (2023, 2024, 2025). Notably, he is the first skater to land a fully rotated quadruple Axel in international competition, a feat he achieved at the 2022 U.S. International Classic. This accomplishment earned him a place in the Guinness World Records and highlighted his innovative approach to the sport.
Malinin’s influence extends beyond his athletic achievements; he was named to Time magazine’s 2022 Time100 Next list, recognizing emerging leaders shaping the future. His performances continue to inspire audiences and fellow skaters, contributing to the evolution of figure skating.