PRAGUE, March 28: American figure skater Ilia Malinin reclaimed his place at the top of the sport by securing his third world title on Saturday. The 21-year-old overcame the disappointment of an eighth-place finish at the recent Olympics to deliver a commanding performance in Prague.
Malinin scored 329.40 points overall, including five quadruple jumps in his free program titled "The Voice." His total was a significant improvement from his Olympic performance, showcasing his resilience and technical mastery.
"I felt loved by the crowd every step of the way," Malinin said. "My goal was to complete the long program successfully, and I achieved that."
Japanese skater Yuma Kagiyama, who won silver at the Olympics, finished second with 306.67 points, while Shun Sato took bronze. Mikhail Shaidorov, the Olympic champion, did not compete.
In ice dance, French duo Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron clinched their first world title, adding to their Olympic gold. Their elegant routine earned them 230.81 points overall, narrowly missing the world record.
Americans Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik placed third, while Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada secured silver. This season marked a remarkable debut for Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron, who reshaped the competitive landscape with their technical brilliance and poise.
The championships in Prague's O2 Arena saw Malinin return to form, solidifying his reputation as one of the most formidable skaters in the world.