WICHITA, Kansas

In the world of figure skating, competitors often emphasize that their greatest rival is themselves. This has certainly become true for Ilia Malinin during the Prevagen U.S. Championships. The reigning world champion has established himself as a standout performer, leaving the competition far behind.

Malinin showcased his extraordinary talent in Saturday's short program, finishing with a commanding lead of 19.14 points over Andrew Torgashev, who placed second, and Jimmy Ma, who took third, trailing Torgashev by just 3.03 points. With an astounding score of 114.08, Malinin also set a new personal best at nationals, exceeding his previous mark by over three points.

"I was pretty surprised about the score," Malinin admitted after his performance. "I thought that performance might get 110 or 109."

His ability to execute gravity-defying jumps with apparent ease leads not only to impressive scores from judges but also sets a new bar for excellence in the sport. Yet even the skater himself sometimes underestimates the impact of his performance on audience and judges alike.

Though he opted for a quad flip and a quad Lutz-triple toe loop combination instead of his signature quad Axel—sticking to a triple in its place—Malinin's performance was still nothing short of breathtaking. "There is pressure to do the quad Axel at every competition, but I always trust myself and know what's best for me and my body," he explained.

Malinin's cautious approach may be strategic; as he dominates the field, there seems to be no need for him to take additional risks prematurely. Instead, he aims to maintain his health leading up to the 2026 Olympics, expressing that while fans might crave "bigger and better" now, he believes in prioritizing his performance's safety in the present.

After the Olympics, however, he promises to unleash his full potential. "Then I'll go ham," he stated, using the Gen Z vernacular to suggest a commitment to pushing boundaries post-Olympics.

At age 29, fellow competitor Jimmy Ma—now in his 11th senior nationals—reflected on the dominance of skaters like Malinin and previous greats such as Nathan Chen and Yuzuru Hanyu. "It's an honor to skate and be friends with these GOATs. They inspire me," Ma expressed. The anticipation for the free skate final, scheduled for Sunday (4 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock), is palpable.

Turning 20 in December, Malinin has achieved several groundbreaking milestones, including becoming the first skater to land a quad Axel in competition and the first to execute six quadruple jumps in a single free skate. This exceptional array of skills has positioned him as a unique figure in the sport, raising the bar and reshaping expectations.

"It's a bit scary that I have to push myself and see where I can take the sport," said Malinin. His remarkable consistency has led to seven consecutive wins, raising questions about who can truly challenge him.

Though his appearance may come across as unassuming—floppy-haired and baby-faced—his performances are anything but ordinary. Malinin favors contemporary music and dynamic movements that emphasize power rather than traditional ballet aesthetics. In his latest routine, he included impressive elements like the "raspberry twist," where the execution mesmerized audiences with its explosive takeoff.

Malinin is not just about skating; he is revolutionizing the sport as a form of thrilling entertainment. With such a captivating blend of skill, charm, and innovation, figure skating fans are left wondering: what incredible feat will he break next? The future looks incredibly promising for this rising star.