u/sofastsomaybe

I posted the full text of this interview on r/figureskating, for anyone who's interested in reading more than just the Ilia parts: https://www.reddit.com/r/FigureSkating/comments/1wxi8bb

And here's the source text in Japanese: https://worldfigureskating-web.jp/news/28522/

---

―― Regarding your jumping technique, is your current form the result of putting into practice what you learned from Ilia Malinin this summer?

Miura: That’s right. He told me that the way Japanese skaters tend to jump the quadruple toe loop on a straight line isn't ideal. He explained that because the power is so strong, you end up getting thrown around; leaning slightly into a curve creates a more natural rotation and allows you to jump without relying solely on raw power. When I trained with him, I certainly understood exactly what he meant. Mastering it will take time, but I grasp the concept. However, if I take it too far—leaning too heavily into that curve—I end up with the kind of result I had today. That’s what happened at the Kinoshita event, too; I let it get away from me a bit during the actual performance. I managed to land some pretty good ones during the six-minute warm-up today, but in the actual program, I ended up bailing out of the jump a little. That’s something I definitely want to fix before the Grand Prix series.

―― Do you feel like the lessons you learned are becoming second nature as you continue to train?

Miura: I feel like my jumps have become more refined overall. I haven't abandoned the idea of ​​going all-out, but I’m now consciously and firmly grounding myself in the fundamentals—the things that absolutely must be maintained. Before, I used to just jump with full force, letting my own style shine without overthinking the details; it was a mix of instinct and my own analysis. But now, I’ve added the specific technical requirements I learned from him—things like "this part has to be done exactly this way"—and I’ve kept practicing them consistently. Right now, I’m training every day to ensure I can execute everything from single jumps to quads with that same consistent technique.

―― Did you focus mainly on the toe loop while training with Malinin?

Miura: I’d say we worked on my jumps across the board. There’s the idea that—aside from the Axel—every jump, from the Salchow to the Lutz, should be executed using the same technique. My technique used to be inconsistent, so I had to grasp that fundamental "same technique" concept while also understanding the specific nuances required for each jump. I think the biggest lesson was realizing that the base technique is the same for all of them. I focused heavily on everything from single to quadruple jumps; I felt that the reason he [Malinin] can achieve such stability despite the high difficulty of his jumps lies in that very approach. Not many skaters do this kind of unglamorous work. Everyone tends to go from singles to triples and then straight to quads, but this is about practicing every step in detail, starting from the very beginning.

―― I imagine Malinin also practices jumps ranging from singles to quads during official practice sessions; do you do the same?

Miura: Yes. During competitions—like this morning, when we only had 20 minutes of practice—I naturally had to start with triples, but when I have time... My training routine consists of two sessions in the morning and one in the evening. In the first morning session, I focus mainly on skating skills and do spins toward the end. In the second session, I work on jumps—ranging from singles to triples—and do full run-throughs of the program once with singles and once with no jumps, just to build stamina. Then, in the evening, I do serious practice on quads and perform full run-throughs that include quads. That’s the style I adopted; it’s how Ilia trains, so it’s one of the things I learned from him.

―― So, you changed your approach after the training camp with Malinin?

Miura: Exactly. I used to start the morning by banging out quads right away, but I stopped doing that. My body isn't fully warmed up in the morning. He doesn't do as much off-ice warm-up as I do before hitting the ice; instead, he gradually gets his body ready on the rink. He starts by mastering the basics and getting the feel for things with triples, then saves the heavy work for the evening. Though, he would do things like 4A+4A—stuff that makes no sense... (laughs)

―― Did you learn the Axel from him?

Miura: I learned the technique for the jump, but not the 4A specifically. Honestly, I think a skid is necessary for the 4A, and since my jumping style doesn't involve skidding, I decided it wasn't for me—or rather, it would be dangerous for me to try, so I’m skipping it. But I did ask him about it. When I asked which was better—skidding or not skidding—he told me there’s no need to skid. He said it’s not at all necessary for jumping a clean triple; what matters more than the skid itself is how you enter the back-outside edge before the jump. So, that’s what I learned from him.

―― Did you initiate the plan to go train with Malinin yourself?

Miura: Yes, I did. After the season wrapped up, around the time of the April shows, I—and my manager—casually asked Ilia’s parents about it. Ilia said, "You can totally come over." He actually pitched the idea to me, explaining, "This is the kind of training we do here" (laughs), so I replied, "In that case, I’d love to go." It was basically decided right then and there.

――　Does Malinin’s team use a Russian-style method?

Miura:　I’m not really familiar with the Russian method itself, so it’s hard to say for sure, but from what I’ve seen—I’ve observed Raf’s [Rafael Arutyunyan’s] team before—it feels like an adaptation of that style. Skaters at Rafa’s rink do drills where they execute a lot of footwork, circling around for a full minute before attempting a jump; what they do [with Malinin] seems like an evolved version of that. This is just my opinion, but I feel like doing only that makes executing multi-rotation jumps a bit difficult. You need to incorporate your own ideas into the mix. I had always thought you needed that flexibility to adapt, and it turns out Ilia has his own internal method, plus his parents—who are also his coaches—have a wealth of knowledge. Listening to them, I got the impression that the three of them have found a method that really clicks for them.

――　So, it was a great learning experience.

Miura:　Yes. To put it simply: "I learned a lot!" That’s the summary. (Laughs)

While challenger season is still in full swing, here's a throwback to Ilia's first ever challenger!

When and where: November 13, 2021 in Graz, Austria

Jumps: 4Lz, 4T< (F), 3Aq, 4S, 4T<+1Eu+3Sq, 3Lz+3T, 3Lz+3Loq

What's notable: How about Ilia's first cleanly-landed 4Lz in international competition? It was an absolute cracker, as Chris Howarth would say. This was not his first 4Lz attempt in international competition - that first attempt happened the day prior, when he fell on it in the short program.

That fall was one of multiple mistakes in the short program left him in 13th place - tied for his worst ever placement after a short program. While this free skate was not perfect, Ilia placed second in the free and ended up pulling an Adam Siao Him Fa and winning the bronze medal. Moving up from 13th to 3rd (ten places) is his biggest placement jump ever. He ended up finishing only five points shy of gold medalist Nika Egadze (Nika finished 12th in the short program).

Unfortunately for Ilia, his mistakes in the short program meant that he did not earn his Worlds minimums here. He was later sent to another international competition in February to get his minimums.

This is a continuation of my series of posts of Ilia's jump firsts. I've previously shared his first 4A in international competition, his first 4F, and his first 4T and 4S...how about we watch his first 4Lo?

Beijing was kind to Ilia - two days after landing the first ever quad Axel in a short program, he goes out and does this. With the Grand Prix Final returning to China this season, let's hope for another equally successful competition.

When and where: December 9, 2023 in Beijing, China

Jumps: 4A (F), 4Lz, 4Lo, 4S, 4Lz+1Eu+3S, 4T+3T, 3Lz+3A+SEQ

What's notable: After landing his first 4Lo here, Ilia had now landed every type of quad with +GOE in international competition - he is the first skater to ever have done so.

With this victory, Ilia claimed his first of multiple Grand Prix Final titles.

He set a new personal best in both free skate score and total competition score.

Here, he debuted his black Succession costume by Satomi Ito!

He sat in the kiss and cry with a quad "dice" plushie made for him by a fan. He still has that plushie to this day, and he's spoken on stream about wanting to make a reel or short with it.

More extremely high resolution photos here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rZpzMZSM4WCHtcT-603TvxoKxhmQZVgl

Up until now, all of the throwback performances I've posted were professionally filmed. Since Brothers in Arms is a group number exclusive to Stars on Ice USA, no professional footage of this performance exists unfortunately. I've therefore edited together a couple of famcams - one from brittank123 and one from Keena Kindragon. Thank you to those fans for their wonderful footage.

This is one of my favorite group numbers ever. It was so amazing seeing Ilia and Jason skating as a duo, even if that part of the performance was only a minute long. And how cool is it to see two of the best flip jumpers in skating doing a side by side 3F?

When and where: May 17, 2025 in Anaheim, CA

Who's performing: Isabeau Levito, Satoko Miyahara, Ilia Malinin, Jason Brown, and Madison Chock & Evan Bates

Ilia and Jason's jump: 3F

u/croissantpulpfiction's post has me in the mood for more of "A Voice", so can I interest you in a rewatch of the second time that Ilia broke the free skate world record?

When and where: November 2, 2025 in Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Jumps: 4F, 3A, 4Lz, 4Lo, 4Lz+1Eu+3F, 4T+3T, 4S+3A+SEQ

What's notable: With his score of 228.97, Ilia set a new personal best and broke his own free skate TES world record and total score world record (which were previously set at the 2024 World Championships in Montreal).

Additionally, Ilia smashed the record for largest margin of victory in any discipline in a major ISU competition. He won by 76.60 points. The record was previously held by Javier Fernandez at 2016 Euros - he won that competition by 60.21 points.

.

https://www.twitch.tv/ilia_quadg0d_malinin

From Getty Images

Link to previous discussion (which OP deleted): https://www.reddit.com/r/IliaQuadg0dMalinin/comments/1wbe8f4/ilia_commented_facts_on_a_hateful_video_about/

Literally everything Ilia did at the 2024 World Championships was immaculate. He was unsure if he'd even be able to compete there, having missed a couple of weeks of training due to injury. But compete he did - he skated perhaps the most memorable set of three programs I've ever seen him do. A clean short, a record-breaking free, and a gala that saw the development of his artistic vision. It all concluded with this group number, in which he landed an absolutely perfect rendition of his signature jump as the rest of his competitors shared the ice with him.

The lighting and camerawork are pretty awful here, but the cameraman locked in when it mattered. Also, who doesn't love Florence and the Machine?

When and where: March 24, 2024 in Montreal, Canada

Jumps: 4A

https://isu-skating.com/en/figure-skating/events/eventdetail/isu-cs-34th-nepela-memorial/?tab=entries_16342&type=15790

Before Pink Lemonade and before IWMFLY, there was Ilia in a mesh tank top skating to Steamy Windows. This is the original Ilia thirst trap program.

When and where: February 11, 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland

Jumps: 4T, 3A, 3Lz

What's notable: After this performance, Ilia accepted the ISU Award for the Most Valuable Skater! Wow...he's speechless.

Alternate video: This video filmed by pianomaya65 has Ilia in the frame the entire time.

I know what you're thinking. u/sofastsomaybe, this is perhaps the worst short program of Ilia's entire career, so why are you posting it?

Well, after watching the men's short program at Kinoshita Group Cup, this performance was on my mind. In case you missed Kinoshita, let's just say...there was a lot of menning. It was a complete mess of an event. I'm sharing this performance as a reminder that it happens to the very best at early September challengers.

When and where: September 13, 2022 in Lake Placid, NY

Jumps: 4Lz< (F), 4Tq+COMBO (F), 3A

What's notable: This is Ilia's first time performing IPASOY in competition or exhibition.

The very next day after this disaster, Ilia brushed this off and landed the first 4A in history. His 6th place finish after the short program would turn into a gold medal after the free. The joys of menning!

(also, what on earth is he wearing here? He's wearing the pants that belong to his actual costume, but what's with the shirt?)

Source links: Kyodo News, Mainichi, Nikkan Sports

iliamalininerd1202 posted a translation of the parts where he spoke about Ilia on threads! https://www.threads.com/@iliamalininerd1202/post/Dc022ariVk6 I'm posting the text below, but please head to threads and show her some love.

What did you gain from the camp with Malinin?

I learned about jumps and the themes he set for practice, and I was able to really feel his passion for skating—it was a very good camp.

About jumps

He “keeps” his right hand still until the moment of takeoff. I tend to extend my hand too soon. Also, while many Japanese skaters have the image of jumping straight up, he taught me that jumping with a curve requires less energy, so that really changed my approach.

What proportion of what you learned came from Malinin versus his parents?

The entire family was consistent in what they taught me. Whether it was lessons from his dad and mom or advice from Ilia, they all said the same things each time, so I was able to have very productive practice sessions.

How did you spend your time with Malinin?

We were together constantly, both during training and outside of it. He took me to all sorts of places, and we talked a lot.

What did you sense about “Ilia’s passion for skating”?

He’s a Skeota (Japanese slang, means figure skating nerd）(laughs). He’s watched and knows so many skaters, including juniors, and I just feel that he absolutely loves skating. Also, the advice he gives—like pointing out common mistakes Japanese skaters tend to make, why your performances can become erratic, or explaining that wasting energy means you won’t be able to land jumps in the second half—is delivered in a very smart way. He’s smart—incredibly smart. He's incredibly trustworthy.

Malinin himself once said, “I have some things in common with Kao.” Were there any similarities you noticed this time?

Since new programs from various skaters have been announced and are now available to watch, when we watched them together, I felt that our tastes—like which skates we liked or when we’d say, “This skater is great”—were quite similar.

Was Malinin himself doing well?

He’s doing great. He’s been doing well since around April.

Did you talk about the Olympics and the Prague World Championships?

We did, and actually, he really rubs salt in my wounds (laughs). It was so funny when he showed me a TikTok where I'm being teased.

Ilia's stream last night started discussions of choreographic jumps and what he could possibly be adding to his free skate to make up for ISU removing a jumping pass. Today, I'm sharing a program featuring a gorgeous jump that could be legally added to either a step sequence or a choreo sequence.

This was one of Ilia's first self-choreographed exhibition programs that I was aware of. He told us on stream that he choreographed this program, and I was very impressed! There's lots of cool little flourishes here. I particularly love the timing of his flying camel with the blade feature on the beat of the music.

When and where: July 27, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan

Jumps: 1A, 3Lz

I've got some amazing pictures to post in the comments, so be sure to check them out!

I edited together all of the times he spoke about taking ballet. Thought this was worthy of its own post!

2023 was Ilia's second year being invited to Dreams on Ice as a guest skater, and he brought two new programs to perform during those four shows - Tout l'Univers and Malagueña.

When and where: July 1, 2023 in Yokohama, Japan

Jumps: 3A, 3Lz+3T, 3A

What's notable: This was the world premiere of Malagueña! Fans took note of the two triple axels and suspected that one of them would eventually become a quad axel...

Hello, I’m figure skater Kao Miura. This is the third installment of my column, "Kao Miura’s Smooth Talk." This time, I’ll be focusing on my "training pilgrimage" to the practice base of Ilia Malinin (USA) in Reston, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.

My left hand and lower back are fine!

First off, my left hand and lower back—which I injured during the Summer Cup—are doing just fine! Falls are a part of figure skating for everyone, of course, but the way I slammed my lower back that time was unlike anything I’d experienced before... It happened during a quadruple toe loop; my left foot (the picking foot) collided with my right foot (the gliding foot). It felt like falling from the height of a second-story building; the impact was intense. It hurt for about a week. If it had been anyone but me, both their spirit and their bones would have been broken (laughs).

By the way, regarding falls, I think hitting the ground hurts more than hitting the ice. Ice looks hard and painful, but since you’re gliding, I think the impact dissipates somewhat.

The "consistency" I wanted to understand

Then, in the latter half of August, I spent about two weeks training at the rink where Ilia practices. The main reason I decided to ask Ilia for this opportunity was my experience at last season's World Championships (where I placed 25th in the short program and failed to qualify for the free skate). I felt I had to change something and wanted to visit an amazing skater overseas. Since Ilia has been a champion—having achieved three consecutive World titles—I really wanted to learn from him.

What I wanted to understand most was his "consistency." I suspected there might be a secret behind his stability. Aside from national team training camps, this was my first time traveling to a location other than my own home rink to receive instruction. I spoke to Ilia during an ice show in Japan, and he readily agreed. He told me, "If you come, we can do this kind of training." His parents gave the thumbs-up as well. (Note: Malinin’s parents are former competitive skaters from Uzbekistan; his mother, Tatiana, won titles at the Four Continents Championships and the Grand Prix Final. Both coach Malinin.)

A Strict Mother, a Kind Father

In the U.S., I trained alongside Ilia, with his mother and father coaching us. We had practice sessions at the rink in the morning and the evening; Saturdays were morning-only, and Sundays were off-days. His mother was in charge of the morning sessions. She is kind when off the ice, but strict when coaching (laughs). However, that strictness is what led to my growth. She taught me spins and step sequences, too.

In the evening, I would be coached by his father. His father is simply kind! Both parents share the same coaching philosophy. Ilia would offer advice as well; it really felt like the whole family was teaching me.

"Wait and Jump"

What I wanted to master most was the knack for jumping—or rather, consistency. Ilia executes every jump the same way; the technique is identical whether it’s a single or a quadruple. He is always stable and can reliably incorporate them into his programs.

Up until then, I had a tendency to tighten my body too early. Because I would initiate the movement with my arms, I’d get thrown off balance or lose my axis. That’s why the concepts of "waiting" and "waiting before jumping" became key points for me.

Also, my approach path to the jump tended to be inconsistent—something I think many skaters struggle with. So, I practiced to ensure I could jump using the exact same path every time.

Generally speaking, the common belief seems to be that rotating quickly is better, and that you should enter and jump in a straight line. But their philosophy was different. They taught me to hold my body position as long as possible and jump in sync with the body's rotation. Regarding the path, they said the most important thing is to create a "just-right line"—neither curving too sharply nor going too straight. For instance, even with the toe loop, most skaters tend to approach and jump in a fairly straight line. Ilia mentioned that he finds it easier to enter the jump along a slight curve. That line of approach is crucial; the idea is to harness the momentum from skating that curve to initiate the rotation.

Ingraining it in the body

I practiced using that method, but it is incredibly difficult to immediately change habits ingrained over so many years. Although there was still some inconsistency, whenever I managed to execute the jump the way I was taught, it felt really good. I worked hard, aiming to increase the number of successful attempts. Even when I did pull it off, the frequency was still low. My brain understood the technique, but reproducing it physically was hard, so I had to drill it into my body—focusing above all on consistently creating the same jumping motion.

Up until then, I had been relying on raw power to jump. Ilia actually told me I was using "too much power." He said I didn't need to use that much force. He explained, "You don't need to expend a huge amount of energy; if you create a solid 'load'—that moment of tension before the launch—and jump the same way, you can execute it successfully just by getting the timing right."

It’s hard to notice these things just by watching. I used to watch slow-motion footage of Ilia’s jumps, and it looked to me like his arms were moving ahead of his body to initiate the tight rotation. But I was mistaken. The appearance of his arms moving first was simply due to the sheer speed of the rotation. His body tightens up incredibly fast; his arms and torso rotate in unison. He executes every single jump that way. You really can't understand it without being taught directly. Learning this from three different people made the trip incredibly worthwhile.

Sharing ramen, too

In between practice sessions, I went out for ramen with Ilia. It was delicious and tasted very close to the authentic Japanese style—sort of a tonkotsu-shoyu (pork bone and soy sauce) flavor. He even invited me to his home. Whether on the ice or in his private life, Ilia never seems tense or uptight. Plus, he’s a fun guy!

Ilia loves Japan and was excited about competing in the NHK Trophy this year. He mentioned he might come with his whole family. I realize scheduling might be tricky, but I’d love to take them out for a meal as a way of thanking them for everything.

🔗: https://www.jiji.com/jc/v8?id=20260901miurakaocolumn (this article can be read in Japanese with a free account)