Defending champion Ilia Malinin has claimed his second consecutive U.S. figure skating title.
Malinin led by 29.85 points over two-time Olympic champion Jason Brown to claim a gold medal Sunday at the 2024 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Columbus, Ohio.
NBC Olympics & Paralympics @NBCOlympicsThe GOLD standard. 🥇<br><br>19-year-old Ilia Malinin defends his U.S. title! <a href="">#PrevagenUSChamps</a> <a href="">
In September 2022 Malinin became the first figure skater to land a clean and fully rotated quadruple Axel in competition.
On Sunday the skater, whose Instagram handle includes the nickname "quadg0d," included the signature four-and-a-half rotation jump during Sunday's free skate on his way to a gold medal.
Here's a look at the results and highlights from the final day of nationals.
Championship Men: Free Skate (Top 5)
- Ilia Malinin, Washington FSC: 294.35
- Jason Brown, Skokie Valley SC: 264.50
- Camden Pulklinen, SC of New York: 262.33
- Maxim Naumov, SC of Boston: 260.50
- Andrew Torgashev, Panthers FSC: 239.21
Highlights
Malinin fell during his free skate, but his lead was never in question. That's thanks to a historic lead after the short program.
The champion led by 18.85 points heading into Sunday, breaking a U.S. Figure Skating Championships short program record set by Olympic champion Nathan Chen.
He didn't attempt a quad Axel during the short, but landed his trademark move during the free skate.
NBC Olympics & Paralympics @NBCOlympicsIlia Malinin threw down a quad Axel before becoming a two-time U.S. champion. 🥇🥇<a href="">@USFigureSkating</a> x <a href="">#PrevagenUSChamps</a> <a href="">
Laura Fawcett @RogueFourBy far not his best program but I still can't believe I'm living at the same time Ilia Malinin is doing quad Axels. <a href="">#PrevagenUSChamps</a>
A Divine Sport @ClaireCloutierIlia Malinin falls once, has mistakes on 2 other jumps, and may still have the most dominant win in U.S. men's skating history. Quad Axel, quad Lutz, quad Salchow, triple Lutz/triple Axel, and more. <a href="">#PrevagenUSChamps</a>
julie rovner @jrovnerLove how Malinin can make a hot mess of his FS and still be the best by miles.
Beverley Smith @BevSmithWritesWhat a ride Malinin took us on at <a href="">#USNats24</a>. Boot problems on his mind, made three significant mistakes, but delivered 4Axel, quad Lutz. What kills me is the 3Lutz-3Ax-3toe at the end of his routine!!! Still won by 30 pts. I'm exhausted!
Jason Brown's place on the podium was less assured. The 2015 U.S. national champion headed into the free skate in third place.
After a 264.50 free skate, Brown earned silver behind Malinin's gold for the second consecutive championship.
NBC Olympics & Paralympics @NBCOlympicsJASON BROWN.<br><br>The crowd is on their feet to show love to <a href="">@jasonbskates</a> after his free skate.<br><br>📺 <a href="">@nbc</a> & <a href="">@peacock</a> | <a href="">#PrevagenUSChamps</a> <a href="">
A Divine Sport @ClaireCloutier10 years after Riverdance, Jason Brown is still reliably one of the biggest highlights of U.S. Nationals. <a href="">#amazingrun</a> <a href="">#PrevagenUSChamps</a>
SkatingScores @SkatingScoresJason Brown is a spiritual giant.
alex @PocketSizeAlexjason brown will never fail to have me bawling in a puddle on the floor 😭 truly the most artistically gifted skater of our generation <a href="">#PrevagenUSChamps</a>
Erin Conley @Erinsk8We are so lucky to get to see Jason Brown skate. This is how I feel every time.
Next up is the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, Canada from March 18 to 24.
Malinin, currently ranked the world No. 1, will seek to follow Nathan Chen and Dick Button as the third-youngest worlds winner in competition history.
