Ilia Malinin, the 'Quad God' of U.S. Figure Skating

Meet the American prodigy known for landing the once-impossible quadruple axel

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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U.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin has made history by becoming the first person to land a quadruple axel in international competition. The 'quad axel' was long considered an impossible feat, but the 21-year-old from Virginia has not only landed it, but incorporated it into his regular routine. Malinin's sustained success with the move has earned him the impressive nickname 'Quad God'.

Why it matters

Malinin's ability to land the quad axel, a move once thought to be impossible, has revolutionized the sport of figure skating. His historic accomplishments have captured the attention of fans worldwide and set a new standard for what is possible in the sport.

The details

Malinin first landed the quad axel in competition in 2022, making him the first skater to ever accomplish the feat. Since then, he has continued to incorporate the move into both his short and long programs, cementing his status as a dominant force in the sport. Malinin's technical prowess and fearless approach to pushing the boundaries of figure skating have earned him widespread acclaim.

  • Malinin landed the first-ever quadruple axel in competition in 2022.
  • He has continued to land the quad axel consistently in competitions since then.

The players

Ilia Malinin

A 21-year-old American figure skater known for being the first person to land a quadruple axel in international competition, earning him the nickname 'Quad God'.

Tatiana Malinina

Malinin's mother, who competed in figure skating for Uzbekistan and was the 1999 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final champion and 1999 Four Continents champion.

Roman Skorniakov

Malinin's father, who competed in figure skating for Uzbekistan and is a seven-time Uzbek national champion.

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What’s next

Malinin will look to continue his dominance on the international figure skating stage, as he aims to represent the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The takeaway

Ilia Malinin's historic accomplishments in figure skating, including becoming the first person to land a quadruple axel, have cemented his status as one of the most exciting and innovative athletes in the sport today.