The Olympic men’s individual short program takes center ice Tuesday, and all roads point to Ilia Malinin.

The 21-year-old American arrives at his first Olympics as the sport’s clear pacesetter — a two-time reigning world champion, four-time U.S. champion, and the skater who has redefined the technical ceiling with the quad Axel. Malinin hasn’t lost a competition since late 2023 and owns the highest short program score in history (110.41). 

His short program, titled, “The Lost Crown,” is defined by what he calls a warrior vibe. “The idea around my short program is that you almost come alive from the ice,” Malinin said at the start of the season. “It's like you're exploring and understanding what's around you, and defining that warrior spirit in you, and find that drive to fight through all the obstacles or pain or pressure — whatever that may be — and using that to redefine yourself.”

Historically, all American men who won the world title the year before the Olympics have gone on to win Olympic gold — starting with Dick Button who won the world title in 1951 and Olympic gold in 1952 — and Malinin is looking to add his name to that lineage.

The challengers

Japan once again fields extraordinary depth, led by Yuma Kagiyama, the two-time Olympic silver medalist from Beijing. Kagiyama is widely regarded as the field’s premier artist, and his short program — a rhythmic take on “I Wish” — has produced some of the highest component marks of the season. 

Kagiyama has shown he is capable of besting Malinin — which he did at the Grand Prix Final in the short program and the Olympic figure skating team event on Sunday. But both times Malinin came back for the win, most notably at the Final where Malinin took an overall 30-point lead.

Just behind Kagiyama is teammate Shun Sato, who made a splash in the Olympic figure skating team event on Sunday, nearly unseating Malinin in the team free skate.

The pre-Olympic season was a breakthrough for Sato, and he won the Grand Prix China, finished 3rd at the Grand Prix Final, and earned silver at Japanese nationals. Notably, he has outscored Kagiyama in the free skate at three events this season, making his short program execution crucial if he wants to stay in medal position.

France’s Adam Siao Him Fa remains the ultimate unpredictable contender. The 2024 world bronze medalist has the tools to contend for the podium, but consistency has been elusive for the two-time European champion and seven-time national medalist. When things click, his expansive and powerfully distinctive style, along with his big elements, can lift him to the top; but he’s found maintaining control over his output a challenge.

Top-10 shakeups and podium potential

Canada’s lone men’s entry, Stephen Gogolev, enters Milan riding momentum. After years of injuries caused by growth spurts, the 2026 Canadian champion finally looks healthy and confident. He’s capable of challenging the leaders in the short if he delivers cleanly. 

That's true of multiple athletes skating in the men's short program on Tuesday. Kevin Aymoz (France) has displayed proven ability to land on the top of the podium, most recently winning Skate America; and 2026 European champion Georgia's Nika Egadze, 2025 world silver medalist Mikhail Shaidorov (Kazakhstan), and Sunday's Olympic team event bronze medalist, Italy's Matteo Rizzo, are just a few of the men to watch.

American talent

Andrew Torgashev is making his Olympic debut after rallying to silver at U.S. Championships. His season so far has been uneven, but his short program has genuine strength if he lands his quad toe — and a clean skate would put him firmly in the mix for a strong overall finish.

Completing the U.S. contingent is Maxim Naumov. Naumov's place on Team USA carries extra poignancy after both his parents and coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were killed returning from the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships when American Airlines Flight 5342 crashed with a helicopter in Washington, DC, along with 28 members of the figure skating community in January 2025.

The men's short program will be streaming on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Start list

Warm-Up Group 1

  1. Petr Gumennik (AIN)
  2. Maxim Naumov (USA)
  3. Andreas Nordeback (SWE)
  4. Tomás Guarino Sabaté (ESP)
  5. Donovan Carrillo (MEX)

Warm-Up Group 2

  1. Li Yu-Hsiang (TPE)
  2. Stephen Gogolev (CAN)
  3. Kyrylo Marsak (UKR)
  4. Kim Hyungyeom (KOR)
  5. Fedirs Kuliss (LAT)
  6. Vladimir Samoilov (POL)

Warm-Up Group 3

  1. Jin Boyang (CHN)
  2. Vladimir Litvintsev (AZE)
  3. Andrew Torgashev (USA)
  4. Cha Junhwan (KOR)
  5. Adam Hagara (SVK)
  6. Deniss Vasiljevs (LAT)

Warm-Up Group 4

  1. Matteo Rizzo (ITA)
  2. Aleksandr Selevko (EST)
  3. Daniel Grassl (ITA)
  4. Lukas Britschgi (SUI)
  5. Kevin Aymoz (FRA)
  6. Kao Miura (JPN)

Warm-Up Group 5

  1. Shun Sato (JPN)
  2. Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA)
  3. Nika Egadze (GEO)
  4. Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ)
  5. Ilia Malinin (USA)
  6. Yuma Kagiyama (JPN)