Ilia Malinin

[reader3]

Best of luck to Ilia on Friday!

 

[Silevril Ilumire]

I saw a post on Facebook about one of Ilia's cats getting a medal...is that really his cat, and is it currently staying with him in Milan?

I don't have links right now, but Ilia has talked about his cats in several interviews. He has two! The cats are relatively new members of the family, and it sounds like Ilia adores them. He says one cat, Misty, has a personality more like his own, while the other cat, MiuMiu, reminds him of his little sister As you may know, Ilia is a big fan of Toothless from the How to Train Your Dragon movies, and he thinks that Toothless acts like a big black cat, like his Misty

I happen to have a cat named MewMew, so when I found out that Ilia's cat had pretty much the same name I was stoked. I know, I know, it's a truly creative name that only artistic, insightful people would come up with . . .

I wish Ilia success and happiness for the free skate and send out my good wishes into the universe. The climax of Ilia's first quadrennial approaches but Ilia's story is far from over!

 

[jeremyjay22]

Per Jackie Wong on Twitter, he’s not at practice this morning, he’s training in Bergamo like the morning of the SP.

 

[cheerknithanson]

I feel so sad.

At least Ilia comes home with an Olympic team gold medal.

 

[sparkle400]

Just stunned. I was too nervous to watch. No words really right now.

 

[yuumagical]

I may be more of a Yuma fan, but I need to give you guys a hug right now

 

[reader3]

He completely fell apart. And I do like Yuma and Misha but wanted IM to win of course. If he had been allowed to go to the OG's in '22, he'd be better prepared.

 

[Arriba627]

Hugs. It hurts. I'm still in a state of shock.

 

[reader3]

Per Jackie Wong on Twitter, he’s not at practice this morning, he’s training in Bergamo like the morning of the SP.

That didn't seem to help.

 

[anonymoose_au]

Shocked for Ilia today! Not the skate he wanted at all!

Still, he showed his character and sportsmanship in congratulating Mikhail S even though his heart must have been broken. I think a lot of people feel Ilia is too full of himself and write him off as been egotistical, but today shows that while he has enormous belief in himself, he's got a good heart and is more than able to give credit when it's due.

I'm happy he has the Team Gold for all his hard work and hope he's doing OK and has lots of support.

 

[Remilia]

I'm so devastated for him...8 hours later and I'm still in shock. When he popped that 4A (and I wish he hadn't gone for it), I was immediately filled with dread and stopped watching. God, I can only imagine how he's feeling. His face at the end was so heartbreaking. Undefeated for 2 years and everyone's hyping you up as guaranteed to win, and then to go out and completely implode and finish 8th...just awful. Combine that with his concerning tiktok reposts and him saying that all his traumatic memories started flooding his head before his skate, and I just really hope he will be surrounded by people who care about him and have his best interests in mind.

I hope he skips worlds if he needs to. Skip next season, even. He'll be 25 during the next Olympics, still young enough to be the favorite for gold. I can only pray that this ultimately makes him stronger and he stays healthy enough to get his revenge in 2030.

 

[Ilia4A]

I’m absolutely heartbroken. I just hope Ilia is surrounded by love and support and knows that we will always support him.

I don’t even care about the rest of the Olympics anymore

 

[iluvtodd]

I haven't felt this sad for a figure skater since 1998 Nagano Olympics (when "my" Todd finished just off the podium). I want to give Ilia a big hug. Ilia, please don't be so hard on yourself. Assuming he goes to Worlds, I wish him all the best & hope he skates lights out there.

Ilia, you are still a tremendously talented athlete!

 

[cheerknithanson]

I've slept, woken up, and still feel sad. Ilia should still be so proud of himself. He still is an OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST from the team event. He's not going to go home empty-handed. Hopefully 2030 will be here in no time. Ilia's incredibly talented and I'm so proud to be a fan of him. He has accomplished so much in his life.

 

[elbkup]

Sad for Ilia but had a feeling..
He struggled a bit all season at least to my eye. Posted in the main thread I felt he had a small unexpected growth spurt this year that may have complicated his training for the ultra elements but nothing that Raf A can’t work with in future though it will take time. So so glad he has Team Gold! Most important to him I suspect is that he be seen as a team player and he certainly managed that.. so so proud of him!!

 

[reader3]

I thought he had gained weight as well. You have a point.

 

[elbkup]

I thought he had gained weight as well. You have a point.

Yes. Muscle weight.. heavier than fat
And plays havoc with jumping torque I’ll wager
Skating/jumping slightly favors certain body types but with proper coaching that levels out. Petr is a good example. Someone noted his growth pattern is now complete so is restarting well. He was so small before

 

[Jeanie19]

I am so sad for Ilia. But he does have an Olympic Gold. I hope he gets to enjoy the Olympic village. I am sure he will do wonderful at Worlds.

 

[reader3]

I'd be happy if IM could even get a bronze at the next OG's. But no one else does 4A's and I don't know if his ankle can hold out till then. I've said that a few times here and there.

Nice about the team medal but to me, it's not the same or as good as the individual.

 

[cheerknithanson]

I just hope that he know how much people he knows and his fans are so proud of him.