Definitely!I agree, though I also appreciate that Misha is sort of following his own goals with the +quad combos. It doesn't have a base value advantage, but it's cool to have as a trademark. Still, I'm most impressed by his 3T in a panda suit
2025 Worlds: Men's thoughts and comments
- Thread starter gsk8
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
And this is why I think we miss Patrick Chan who blended both. Hanyu as a great enertainer but not a pure skater like Brown and Chan and maybe Lambiel and Buttle. Shomo, Hanyu, Chen, were great jumpers and enertainers. But real artists are so so rare. Still Hanyu may by wininng two OGM set himself apart.I agree except for Jason Brown. If he is "always the same" it is because he is following his own unique path. Think about it. How many male figure skaters can do a quad. A thousand? Same old Jason is netter than all of them except three (he got 4th in the LP at the 2025 world championships).
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2014
I've had time to reflect on and rewatch Ilia's skate. Putting aside any of the tech calls, and the popped lutz, Ilia still landed a 4F, 4A, 4Lz, 4Lo, 4T, and 4S in his program. That's insane.
I went back and looked at my post in the crazy predictions thread we had leading into the 2021-2022 season, and thinking that Nathan might try all the non-axel quads in one program, only to have it be his planned layout at Skate America a couple of weeks after I posted that crazy thought. Not that Nathan succeeded, and smartly, now knowing some of what he was going through at the time, never attempted it again.
I think I'm circling back to those posts in my head because Ilia has made this seem normal, and it's anything but easy.
I went back and looked at my post in the crazy predictions thread we had leading into the 2021-2022 season, and thinking that Nathan might try all the non-axel quads in one program, only to have it be his planned layout at Skate America a couple of weeks after I posted that crazy thought. Not that Nathan succeeded, and smartly, now knowing some of what he was going through at the time, never attempted it again.
I think I'm circling back to those posts in my head because Ilia has made this seem normal, and it's anything but easy.
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2012
Five!
I think he will. He is going be barely 21 years old and with no real injury issues I think that he going to keep going and growing as a skater. He already teasing quints and going to start doing them. I think that he is going to stick around until 2034. Will he be jumping as many jumps, most likely not but he will still be interesting to watch and there will be big jumps but there also going to be beautiful skating to go with it. He loves skating period. It is his joy. It is the main thing that makes him happy and I feel will be hard for him to let go of that period.
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2019
I wonder if that was harder or easier than his quad combos?I agree, though I also appreciate that Misha is sort of following his own goals with the +quad combos. It doesn't have a base value advantage, but it's cool to have as a trademark. Still, I'm most impressed by his 3T in a panda suit
These crazy kids!
What's impressive about Malinin is he's jumping 6 quads in the FS, attempting 7 quads, the most complex technical content in history by quite a margin, he's relatively tall I suppose for a figure skater so twisting wouldn't be as easy as for someone such as Shoma for instance, yet Malinin is barely out of breath at the end of the program? How does he do that while guys with 2, 3, 4 quads are really sucking in the oxygen at the end? What's he doing that's different I wonder that no-one has caught on to? 
It's extraordinary when you think about it.
Malinin did everything that was expected so wasn't the most impressive skater, and in a way probably declined a little in terms of jumping over the past 12 months. Most of the jumps seem on the q now. That is an impressive quality about Malinin (and many American skaters) is how he can land on the q but do well to hide it. Maybe they train for it ?
The most impressive skater that goes to Shairdorov who grew so much as a skater over the past year, then some how surpassed his 4CC performance. Don't forget too that Shairdorov is generally underscored and given no favours by the judges, so he had zero margin for error if he wanted to be on the podium. This silver medal is doubly sweet for Shairdorov because he knows he's got the entire establishment against him, he won it the hard way. Some medals are more valuable than others. This was an accomplishment of a lifetime.
I thought Egadze was incredible too another guy treated with disdain by the establishment, officials, fans, but showed incredible consistency. Another guy who knows the officials are looking for any excuse to give him a q or <, will give him the bare minimum for PCS without looking like there is some agenda, every small mistake will be magnified by the officials (whereas other skaters have big mistakes minimised as small mistakes in the scoring or no mistake at all), yet made it to the top 10. A guy that has worked hard to improve every year, never be discouraged by how the establishment treat him or what fans say about him, and now top 10 in the world.
It was a shame for Adam that the SP went so badly, because that was an incredible, captivating performance in the free skate. Unlucky to not be bronze Kagiyama did not deserve identical PCS to Adam.
Extraordinary scoring of Brown. Both 3A's should have been hit with q's, but weren't. Some of the judges are giving 3's for heavily telegraphed 3A's that aren't rotated. The commentator was screaming "BRILLIANT TRIPLE AXEL". Thankfully it didn't affect the distribution of medals. Good to see that equipment issue resolve itself as well! I had no doubt it would resolve itself for World's! 
. Well played. Bravo!
It's extraordinary when you think about it.Malinin did everything that was expected so wasn't the most impressive skater, and in a way probably declined a little in terms of jumping over the past 12 months. Most of the jumps seem on the q now. That is an impressive quality about Malinin (and many American skaters) is how he can land on the q but do well to hide it. Maybe they train for it ?
The most impressive skater that goes to Shairdorov who grew so much as a skater over the past year, then some how surpassed his 4CC performance. Don't forget too that Shairdorov is generally underscored and given no favours by the judges, so he had zero margin for error if he wanted to be on the podium. This silver medal is doubly sweet for Shairdorov because he knows he's got the entire establishment against him, he won it the hard way. Some medals are more valuable than others. This was an accomplishment of a lifetime.
I thought Egadze was incredible too another guy treated with disdain by the establishment, officials, fans, but showed incredible consistency. Another guy who knows the officials are looking for any excuse to give him a q or <, will give him the bare minimum for PCS without looking like there is some agenda, every small mistake will be magnified by the officials (whereas other skaters have big mistakes minimised as small mistakes in the scoring or no mistake at all), yet made it to the top 10. A guy that has worked hard to improve every year, never be discouraged by how the establishment treat him or what fans say about him, and now top 10 in the world.
It was a shame for Adam that the SP went so badly, because that was an incredible, captivating performance in the free skate. Unlucky to not be bronze Kagiyama did not deserve identical PCS to Adam.
Extraordinary scoring of Brown. Both 3A's should have been hit with q's, but weren't. Some of the judges are giving 3's for heavily telegraphed 3A's that aren't rotated. The commentator was screaming "BRILLIANT TRIPLE AXEL"
. Thankfully it didn't affect the distribution of medals. Good to see that equipment issue resolve itself as well! I had no doubt it would resolve itself for World's! . Well played. Bravo!
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2014
This was my 6th Worlds, and this was definitely a wild time, probably the wildest of the 6! I thoroughly enjoyed both the SPs and FSs. I was sorry I had left my ear plugs behind, because I definitely needed them. Loved how supportive the audience was.
Deniss V. -- Very happy for Deniss that he was able to have an amazing skate for his FS. The audience went crazy when he stayed on his feet for his opening 4S. He has come a long way since I saw him at Worlds 2016. He had a great time basking in the audience's love while he sat in the leader's chair and was getting into the karaoke. So happy for him and Stephane.
Shun S. -- Kudos to Shun for hanging in there and controlling his nerves. His contribution to Japan keeping its 3 spots is much appreciated, I'm sure. I love his Ladies in Lavender SP. The FS doesn't grab me quite as much. I still see him as needing to skate bigger and with better extension, but he did great for his first Worlds. I already mentioned in another thread that when Ashley W. asked him in the K&C "What did it feel like out there?", he answered "I was nervous!". It was pretty funny.
Yuma K. -- Seems like a lot of people are quick to want to write off a 4 time World / individual and team Oly silver medalist. It was definitely not his night, but I think the pressure and expectations of being Japan's top man are taking their toll. Still in all, he is a beautiful skater, and I look for good things to come for him. I could see (in the SP) that he was looking more at the audience. It was tough to start out with a fall in the FS, and I think he got so rattled with that. I'm sure his team will figure out something to help him work on the mental game.
Jun -- He seemed a little "off" to me. I loved his FS version of Loco, but he didn't deliver it with the same pizazz as at Asian Winter Games and 4CC. I wish he would conquer his habit of stalking his 3A for such a LONG time. Seems like he screws up his timing by doing that. I hope he has great programs for next season.
Kevin -- Great to see him do well and have a skate he could be proud of. I think a lot of us were holding our breath hoping that he didn't implode and / or have a meltdown. The people in my seating area were cheering for him like crazy! Congratulations to him.
Andrew T. -- I don't even know what to say. I remember being shocked at '22 Worlds at his 21st place finish. Now here, he is 22nd. He was holding his back as he left the ice. Was he injured? He had a decent short program, but looking ahead, I wonder what his chances are of being sent to the Olys. Wishing him all the best.
Mikhail S. -- What a way to start his FS - to come right out of the gate and do that incredible 3 jump sequence 3A-1 Eu-4S. He is a great competitor and is becoming a better performer. He is definitely a force to be reckoned with!
Ilia -- Someone needs to do a study on his musculature. How does he do those jumps?! They just seem to come from out of nowhere. He is very exciting to watch, and the audience was crazy for him! My hope for him for next year is that he can have great programs and stay healthy. Hopefully his agent doesn't schedule him for too many ice shows.
Deniss V. -- Very happy for Deniss that he was able to have an amazing skate for his FS. The audience went crazy when he stayed on his feet for his opening 4S. He has come a long way since I saw him at Worlds 2016. He had a great time basking in the audience's love while he sat in the leader's chair and was getting into the karaoke. So happy for him and Stephane.
Shun S. -- Kudos to Shun for hanging in there and controlling his nerves. His contribution to Japan keeping its 3 spots is much appreciated, I'm sure. I love his Ladies in Lavender SP. The FS doesn't grab me quite as much. I still see him as needing to skate bigger and with better extension, but he did great for his first Worlds. I already mentioned in another thread that when Ashley W. asked him in the K&C "What did it feel like out there?", he answered "I was nervous!". It was pretty funny.
Yuma K. -- Seems like a lot of people are quick to want to write off a 4 time World / individual and team Oly silver medalist. It was definitely not his night, but I think the pressure and expectations of being Japan's top man are taking their toll. Still in all, he is a beautiful skater, and I look for good things to come for him. I could see (in the SP) that he was looking more at the audience. It was tough to start out with a fall in the FS, and I think he got so rattled with that. I'm sure his team will figure out something to help him work on the mental game.
Jun -- He seemed a little "off" to me. I loved his FS version of Loco, but he didn't deliver it with the same pizazz as at Asian Winter Games and 4CC. I wish he would conquer his habit of stalking his 3A for such a LONG time. Seems like he screws up his timing by doing that. I hope he has great programs for next season.
Kevin -- Great to see him do well and have a skate he could be proud of. I think a lot of us were holding our breath hoping that he didn't implode and / or have a meltdown. The people in my seating area were cheering for him like crazy! Congratulations to him.
Andrew T. -- I don't even know what to say. I remember being shocked at '22 Worlds at his 21st place finish. Now here, he is 22nd. He was holding his back as he left the ice. Was he injured? He had a decent short program, but looking ahead, I wonder what his chances are of being sent to the Olys. Wishing him all the best.
Mikhail S. -- What a way to start his FS - to come right out of the gate and do that incredible 3 jump sequence 3A-1 Eu-4S. He is a great competitor and is becoming a better performer. He is definitely a force to be reckoned with!
Ilia -- Someone needs to do a study on his musculature. How does he do those jumps?! They just seem to come from out of nowhere. He is very exciting to watch, and the audience was crazy for him! My hope for him for next year is that he can have great programs and stay healthy. Hopefully his agent doesn't schedule him for too many ice shows.
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- Joined
- Jun 2, 2014
2016, '17, '18, '22, '24, '25. Each different and each fun in its own way. Felt very different this year without Shoma, and I really missed him! Still, a great time and a great job by the organizers.
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2007
I would like to give some appreciation to Ilia's spins. His camels have a very nice stretch and extension to them. He has a pleasing arch in his back and they are pretty fast and centered. He is also one of the few men who chooses to do a decent layback position as his upright one.
There have been a few post-Worlds interviews with Ilia now where he has explicitly stated that he does not consider the OGM as the final destination or his biggest dream anymore. It's a major goal, but his bigger goal is to increase the popularity of figure skating and excite and inspire those watching. Now, being an Olympic champion and increasing figure skating popularity would go hand-in-hand, but you can't try to increase FS popularity with an Olympic win if you just disappear completely afterward. Thus, I'd be very surprised if he doesn't stick around post-Milano Cortino, whether he wins or not.
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- Joined
- Nov 29, 2018
Thanks for the link, peepsquick. I just watched it: I loved the Tango (their SP/RD in 2018) best, followed closely by their first 'Mozart' (WC-winning FD in 2014) and FD in 2018. And I believe they would have won in 2019 (but for Covid): a unique dance to the spoken word.
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2016
Glad you enjoyed watching it! The Tango is one of my absolute favorites and the 2019 FD as well. Never understood the accusations of pretentiousness. It is one of the most touching pieces ever skated. They left us a body of work that will weather the test of time imo.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2024
I wonder who the divine, incomparable, ethereal Hanue is, from whom Malinin has supposedly stolen the 4A glory. If my memory serves me correctly, I have never come across a skater named 'Hanue.'
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