• Yuma Kagiyama is five points behind Ilia Malinin after the men’s short program at Milano Cortina 2026.
  • Kagiyama plans to add a quad flip to his free skate to pressure Malinin, who is planning a seven-quad program.
  • Kagiyama scored 103.07 in the short after a strong 108.67 in the team event and says he has “absolute confidence in the flip.”
  • Friday’s free program at the Milano Ice Skating Arena could decide the men’s Olympic title.

H2: Kagiyama narrows the gap after short program

Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama left the Milano Ice Skating Arena within striking distance of the leader after the men’s short program, sitting roughly five points behind USA’s Ilia Malinin. The three-time Olympic silver medallist earned 103.07 after a mistake on his triple Axel, following a brilliant 108.67 in the team event earlier in the Games.

Kagiyama said he was aiming not just for a podium finish but for gold, and his short program kept that possibility alive. He skated with notable energy in Milano and picked up clean levels on his step sequence, a sign he is building momentum heading into the free skate.

H3: Quad flip as a strategic dagger

For Friday’s free skate Kagiyama plans to add a quad flip to his layout — a high-risk, high-reward element intended to put pressure on Malinin, who will skate last. “I’m going all out from start to finish. I’m going to add a quad flip and I want to put it all together for a skate that I can be completely satisfied with,” Kagiyama told Olympics.com. He added: “I have absolute confidence in the flip. I really do.”

That confidence is crucial. A clean quad flip could boost Kagiyama’s base value and component score, forcing Malinin to match or exceed under the pressure of closing the event.

H3: Malinin’s seven-quad threat

Ilia Malinin, the reigning world champion, arrives with a different plan: a long program loaded with quadruple jumps. At the Grand Prix Final in December Malinin landed seven quads and set a long-program record, beating Kagiyama there by about 30 points. He has signalled he will attempt a seven-quad program again in Milano, including the quadruple Axel that remains the most difficult quad in competition.

Malinin’s technical firepower makes him the favourite, but figure skating margins are slim and a mistake or an exceptional free skate by Kagiyama could flip the standings.

H4: What to watch on Friday

  • How Kagiyama executes the quad flip and his other quads: clean landings and positive grades of execution will be decisive.
  • Whether Malinin lands his planned quads, especially the quad Axel, under Olympic pressure.
  • Component scores and program execution: both skaters have strong performance skills that could swing close calls.

If Kagiyama nails his free skate, the battle for gold on Friday could go down to the final pairing. The Milano Ice Skating Arena will be the stage for what may become one of the most memorable men’s finals of Milano Cortina 2026.

For live results and schedule information, follow Milano Cortina 2026 coverage and official Olympic updates.

Image Referance: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/figure-skating-men-singles-japan-kagiyama-challenge-usa-malinin