The road to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games gained momentum in Nagoya, Japan, where the world’s best figure skaters gathered for the ISU Grand Prix Final. Team USA dominated the final day, claiming three gold medals and making a bold statement to the global skating community.
This crucial event offered senior competitors one last chance to test themselves against elite rivals before the Winter Games. The energy in the arena was electric, with high-stakes pressure showcasing true champions and separating the contenders from the rest.
Ilia Malinin Makes History with Groundbreaking Performance
Ilia Malinin lived up to his nickname, “The Quad God,” with a jaw-dropping performance that will go down in figure skating history. He became the first skater ever to land seven quadruple jumps in a single program, including a quadruple axel and a quad loop—moves once thought impossible. Malinin pushed the limits of what the sport can achieve, setting a new bar for technical excellence.
After a shaky short program left him in third place, the pressure was on. But Malinin rose to the occasion, delivering a flawless free skate that earned a record-breaking score of 238.24 and a total of 332.29, nearly 30 points ahead of second-place Yuma Kagiyama of Japan. His performance for Team USA transformed a deficit into a runaway victory and left the crowd stunned.
Alysa Liu’s Consistency Shines Bright
In the women’s competition, Team USA performer Alysa Liu captured gold with a season-best total of 222.49, edging out Japan’s Ami Nakai in a tightly contested event. For Liu, this victory marked a return to the top of the podium, a result earned through consistency and steady nerves.
Liu delivered a poised free skate, landing seven triple jumps to stay ahead of the pack despite finishing third in that segment. Liu’s win is not only a confidence boost but also a signal that she’s ready to chase Olympic glory for Team USA.
Chock and Bates Secure a Historic Three-Peat
Madison Chock and Evan Bates continued their reign in ice dance for Team USA, claiming their third consecutive Grand Prix Final title. Their free dance earned a season-best 131.68 points, bringing their total to 220.42 and securing a hard-fought victory over the French team.
The win was deeply meaningful for the veteran duo. Chock fought back tears as she spoke about how much they’ve grown together, both as athletes and as individuals. Their chemistry and precision were on full display, allowing them to execute a perfect program when it mattered most.
Saturday, December 6 Final Results
Final Results from ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2025 in Nagoya, Japan (Source: Olympics.com)
Men’s Singles Results
First place – USA – Ilia Malinin
Second place – Japan – Yuma Kagiyama
Third place – Japan – Shun Sato
Women’s Singles Results
First place – USA – Alysa Liu
Second place – Japan – Ami Nakai
Third place – Japan – Kaori Sakamoto
Ice Dance Results
First place – USA – Madison Chock / Evan Bates
Second place – France – Laurence Fournier Beaudry / Guillaume Cizeron
Third place – Great Britain – Lilah Fear / Lewis Gibson
