It’s 2022 Olympic silver medalist Kagiyama — currently sitting in 2nd place after the short program — that still presents the nearest threat. The two-time Japanese champion’s masterful performance and skating skills, which often rightfully earn him high program component scores, can give him a significant boost if Malinin stumbles. That’s not to say that Kagiyama’s technical arsenal is lacking — it’s more that Malinin’s ceiling blows all competition out of the water.
The two have great respect for one another with Kagiyama saying on several occasions that Malinin at his best is nearly unbeatable, and Malinin expressing how much he appreciates Kagiyama as a competitor.
“Just watching Yuma, I have such a huge heart for him. He’s such an incredible skater, and both of us are really pushing each other to maximize our points, our skills and technical abilities on the ice. And I always say that skating is not just a sport, it’s also a piece of art,” Malinin said after the short program.”
Rounding out the provisional podium halfway through the men’s event is France’s Adam Siao Him Fa, who, in September 2023, was the last skater to beat Malinin.
However, Siao Him Fa — who has the distinction of being the reason the backflip is once again legal in figure skating — is notoriously inconsistent. When he is on, as he was in the short program on Tuesday, he is sublime. With gorgeous movement across the ice, inventive choreographic flourishes, and powerful jumping ability, the 2024 world bronze medalist is capable of delivering performances that bring the house down. But when he loses it, it can be disastrous. He will be skating his “The Creation of Adam” free skate, which has divided fans all season, but seems to evolve with each outing.
