Worlds 2025 Mens Free: “Oh My Quad We’ve Come To The End”

[victorskid]

The Press Conference

Press Conference | Men Free Skating | World Championships | Boston 2025 | #FigureSkating

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[Messalina]

Howarth and Moore-Towers have stopped quoting the protocols and are speaking in generalities. There's no way for a non-expert viewer to know why so many of these men's TES have dropped 4-8 points after touted as landing what are identified as quads.

I loved KMT's technical commentary the first two days. Then, starting today, seemed like she started to flag and a lot more elements/programs etc. were just deemed "cool" ...

Big congrats to Mikhail Shaidorov on winning a silver, well deserved. He's had a great season and I hope next season is even better. But also, a guy from Kazakhstan stands on the podium exactly 10 years after another guy from Kazakhstan stood on the world podium for the last time, and that guy was Denis Ten, and I'm gonna cry

This brought tears to my eyes. Denis - never forgotten.

I like to think he would be proud of Shaidorov. I know I am!

 

[victorskid]

Special shout out and thanks to @skatingguy for providing pre-skate and post-skate details for everyone!!! Also to @miffy for getting things set up for each event with the great titles

I have been to Worlds a number of times and in various locales around the world - the first one included Vern Taylor's 3A and the most recent was 2024. I was able to enjoy this one with no lines for the washrooms, for food, for getting through security, etc. but, thanks to FSU, to share good company while watching things on the 50" screen

Safe travels home for all of those who were in TD Garden!

 

[Carolla5501]

I admit I haven’t bothered to read all this as we were there. But all I can say is thank you US figure skating for sending Jason. I realize it was a controversial decision, but yeah obviously you knew what you were doing.(sorry but I really wouldn’t have wanted to rely on Camden to get us that third spot.)


This was not as good as the women’s which surprised me. I really expected this to be a much better event than the women’s last night but the truth is the women in my opinion put on a better show.
There were some highlights here and there were some great skates, but it didn’t ever have that suspense factor

 

[Andrey aka Pushkin]

One of the best events in the recent memory, and one of the happiest results possible going into the Olympics.

France, US and Japan got three spots, Kazakhstan did too for no obvious to an eye reason (they have that other guy, Jirinbaev or something, who's decent, but I don't think he can qualify). Two for Latvia, Korea and Italy

I feel like these are very fair, although Italians could use three spots. Or four.

 

[Karen-W]

One of the best events in the recent memory, and one of the happiest results possible going into the Olympics.

France, US and Japan got three spots, Kazakhstan did too for no obvious to an eye reason (they have that other guy, Jirinbaev or something, who's decent, but I don't think he can qualify). Two for Latvia, Korea and Italy

I feel like these are very fair, although Italians could use three spots. Or four.

Kazakhstan got 2 for Worlds, but they can only try to get 1 extra for the Olympics because the OQE only allows 1 entry per fed.

 

[jlai]

One of the best events in the recent memory, and one of the happiest results possible going into the Olympics.

France, US and Japan got three spots, Kazakhstan did too for no obvious

I feel like these are very fair, although Italians could use three spots. Or four.

Japan can use four spots too

 

[Wyliefan]

I'm glad we still have WTT to go. It'll delay the skating withdrawal a little bit.

 

[Jammers]

I think this is also the first time the US has qualified three spots in every discipline? (I know the pairs Olympic spot is subject to the test event ).

I wouldn't have expected such a golden age for US figure skating even a few years ago. Granted, some of it is Russia being out, but I still think Liu and Chock/Bates would be on the podium even with Russians. And there's no question with Malinin.

Especially with the ladies in both 2018 and 2022 there really were no frontrunners and the field was underwhelming with very little depth so a almost total unknown like Bradie took advantage and won Nationals and went to the Olympics and Alysa in her first year as a Senior won every Senior B she entered and basically won her spot before she even competed at Nationals. But now their are maybe 7 ladies capable of going to Worlds.

 

[skategal]

Thanks everyone for the laughs, snarks, PBP and analysis.

It’s been great having the last two Worlds in a time zone close to mine so I could participate fully (went in person last year!)

Cheers!

 

[kirkbiggestfan]

I realize that I have been spoiled with Montreal and Boston worlds back to back but Boston is a freaking skating meca. We have earned our once a decade worlds

 

[Jammers]

Well damn i almost feel like when the Olympics end having Worlds at home really is special especially with how the US team performed.

 

[Rukia]

I love Ashley, but that sweater color is tough.

it was a completely different color on screen than in the arena lol it kept annoying my husband

 

[Karen-W]

I realize that I have been spoiled with Montreal and Boston worlds back to back but Boston is a freaking skating meca. We have earned our once a decade worlds

I say Boston signs up to do it again in 8 years! Can you imagine how exciting it will be to host Worlds in the season before a home Olympics?

 

[skateboy]

I’m fine with who got highest, but 2nd highest…

Based on tonight's performances... yes, I'm totally fine with that.

Ilia is such a phenomenon. So was Nathan and, for me, he has been the most gracious competitor -- especially for pushing the athletic envelope as much as he did -- we have ever seen. Ilia is incredible, with a Plushenko-like confidence but without the cocky unlikability. Obviously, Ilia knows he is amazing. But he does it all with a sense of community with the other competitors that I really appreciate.

 

[Matryeshka]

I'm OK with Yuma winning bronze because I loves him so. I'm also OK with Adam not winning the bronze--they dying on ice is just and I'm over his backflip, especially as he's already injured. Ilia also needs to stop the backflips so he doesn't get injured. And neither of their backflips are particularly good!

Earlier someone said that Ilia would skate both portions in the team trophy and I do want to say maybe, because Ilia's a beast, but since he has an excellent chance of winning the gold in the individual, why tire himself out for the team event? I think whether Ilia skates both portions of the team event is going to depend on the schedule. Although it wouldn't surprise me if Ilia WANTS to skate all the skates.

I know there's a bit of anti-WTT in this forum but this Worlds was soooo goooood, I'm not ready to let go yet, and I want redemption for Japan in singles and in dance for Italy and France. I'm shocked at how good Worlds was, given how lackluster the season has been.

The World replay wasn't up, so I had to watch the NBC because I HAD TO KNOW and didn't want to be spoiled. My younger brother commented on Alysa Liu, so these results are going viral fairly quickly. After KMT, Johnny and Tara seem particularly vapid, so I'll probably watch most of it over. Can't wait to see Deniss and Roman's performances tomorrow!

 

[Dobre]

In response to the Jason criticism of the past couple months (and the couple months prior to last year's Worlds), a quote--courtesy of the ice dance event here:

"Na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na-na"

Also, that was a beautiful skate.

----

I'm quite happy for Shun who had a whole lot of pressure, this being his first Worlds, having been selected for the team based on his season after a challenging Nationals performance, and having three spots on the line + down to him & Kagiyama before Shun skated. The one serious mistake; but a very respectable Worlds debut and I think this performance was yet another step forward in bringing in the 2nd mark scores he's clearly worked so hard on.

----

Cha is always a dynamic skater to see live; but it really struck me here how fast he is across the ice compared to most of the field. I enjoyed both of his performances.

----

Deniss had the quote of the night, endearing himself--I'm sure--to the crowd + the organizers for saying he was here 9 years ago and that nowhere else in the world brings this type of energy. I also remember his performance here 9 years ago. He had been on the junior circuit all season so he was up early in the SP lineup and the people I sat with had never seen him. I told them it was a short program to watch, and--sure enough--after an enthusiastically received SP, they verbally agreed. Beautiful job, again, responding to the crowd tonight.

----

And kudos to Kevin & Roman for some great personal achievements tonight.

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

UGH. Let us burn that costume, please.

And Paul P.`s why the fire is hot!

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

There is so much of the Skate Gods we don`t understand. If grandpa-Jason had scored in the 90`s in the short (which he`s done before) he`d be shuffling his walker onto the podium.

 

[Andrey aka Pushkin]

The Sweedish guy looks a tiny bit like Johnny Weir. Just a tiny bit.

I saw the real Johnny Weir... No, he isn't.

In fact even Johnny Weir barely looks like Johnny Weir nowadays.

 

[beckab81]

Based on tonight's performances... yes, I'm totally fine with that.

Ilia is such a phenomenon. So was Nathan and, for me, he has been the most gracious competitor -- especially for pushing the athletic envelope as much as he did -- we have ever seen. Ilia is incredible, with a Plushenko-like confidence but without the cocky unlikability. Obviously, Ilia knows he is amazing. But he does it all with a sense of community with the other competitors that I really appreciate.

I really enjoy Ilia! But I also believe that PCS should be judged properly. You can give Ilia high marks in presentation, and his skating skills are pretty good (although I'd probably stay in the 8's). But that is an EMPTY program until he gets to the steps & choreo sequence, and his composition marks should be lower.

 

[rfisher]

So happy for Shaidarov. He and Urmanov have really worked hard and Denis Ten's mom has really worked to support KAZ's skating program. I've been an Urmanov fan since he won the OGM and I'm happy to see that he finally has a skater winning the big medals. The Mishin legacy continues.

 

[4rkidz]

So happy for Shaidarov. He and Urmanov have really worked hard and Denis Ten's mom has really worked to support KAZ's skating program. I've been an Urmanov fan since he won the OGM and I'm happy to see that he finally has a skater winning the big medals. The Mishin legacy continues.

That is an especially nice ending for his legacy. I’m also an Urmanov fan and I got to meet him a few years ago and he was really sweet. It made me laugh him wearing his reading glasses on his nose - just like my hubby does.. neither caring how they look at all - but I still find them both handsome! Do you know if Denis Ten’s mom was at the event? It must be so satisfying for her to see the outcomes of her hard work.

 

[leilaofpaper]

I showed my friend the top five men - she’s seen a bunch of women and dance but never watched any of the men.

she saw Kevin Aymoz do his handstand move and went “oh my god. I think I’m in love with him”

her ranking of the top five based on short and long is as follows:
1. Kevin
2. Ilia
3. Adam
4. Mikhail
5. Yuma

she said Yumas skating looked nice but she didn’t like his programs and obviously the free is littered with mistakes. she’s now a Kevin uber and a big fan of Adam as well, “French men seem to have better choreography”

 

[ross_hy]

Cha is always a dynamic skater to see live; but it really struck me here how fast he is across the ice compared to most of the field. I enjoyed both of his performances.

This! In my opinion, his total PCS was about 5 points too low.

 

[Debbie S]

Quick glance through Wiki and it doesn't look like it.

We had Men & Women in 53, 55-59, 82-83, 86 & 96, Women & Pairs in 79 & 22, Men & Dance in 24.

Kaori won Worlds in 2022.

 

[PRlady]

Kaori won Worlds in 2022.

Men in 22, right? Didn’t Nathan skate post-Olys Worlds?

 

[jlai]

Men in 22, right? Didn’t Nathan skate post-Olys Worlds?

2018 not 2022

 

[Karen-W]

Kaori won Worlds in 2022.

I knew that, lol.

 

[sk9tingfan]

Press Coverage for Ilia:

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/30/sport/ilia-malinin-world-figure-skating-title-spt-intl/index.html

Simone Biles on ice: Ilia Malinin shows his only rival is perfection itself | Bryan Armen Graham

America’s Quad God lapped the field to win another world title with a record-tying six quadruple jumps, but his attention remains fixed on a standard just out of reach

www.theguardian.com

Ilia Malinin cruises to 2nd straight title to cap an American gold rush at figure skating worlds

Ilia Malinin defended his world title with free skate that earned a standing ovation inside TD Garden on Saturday night, capping a memorable home championships for the Americans.

apnews.com

MSN

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2025/03/29/ilia-malinin-world-champion-figure-skating/

Ilia Malinin defends world title in mesmerizing fashion. 'He's out of this world'

Ilia Malinin claimed a second consecutive world figure skating title, landing six quadruple jumps in a jaw-dropping peformance.

www.usatoday.com

Ilia Malinin cruises to 2nd straight title to cap an American gold rush at figure skating worlds - WTOP News

BOSTON (AP) — Ilia Malinin walked toward the ice for his free skate at the world championships with the swagger of a conquering hero. Then he backed up the bravado. The 20-year-old from Fairfax…

wtop.com

Ilia Malinin, the 'Quad God,' Wins 2nd Consecutive World Figure Skating Title, Becomes Favorite for 2026 Olympics

Ilia Malinin won his second consecutive World Figure Skating Championship men's title in front of a home crowd in Boston Saturday night. With his victory, he becomes the favorite to win gold at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina, Italy.

people.com

https://www.olympics.com/en/news/isu-world-figure-skating-championships-2025-ilia-malinin-short-program-lead-personal-best

Ilia Malinin repeats as world figure skating champion with 6 quadruple jumps

Ilia Malinin will go into the Olympic year as the two-time reigning world champion.

www.nbcsports.com

I would have added the NYT and the Bston Globe, but they were behind pay walls