Ilia Malinin has been at the center of the sports world over the last two months after representing the United States at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where he won gold in the team competition. In a shocking turn of events, however, he failed to medal in the men’s free skate — an event he was widely favored to win.
Despite that disappointment, Malinin handled himself with class and had the opportunity to return to the ice at the ISU World Championships in Prague, Czechia on Saturday — a moment he fully capitalized on.
Malinin captured gold in the event, marking his third consecutive world title, and it wasn’t particularly close. He posted a total score of 329.40, well ahead of Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, who finished second with a 306.67.
Watch his performance at Gala below
Just one day later, Malinin attended the ISU Figure Skating Awards for the season. After being nominated for several honors earlier this month, he was named the recipient of the Best Costume Award, with cameras capturing his reaction.
“You guys should not be afraid to do what you love and do what really expresses yourself through artistry, through creativity, and of course, costumes,” Malinin said in his acceptance speech.
After winning the award, Malinin spoke to the media about what fashion means to him, something that has been evident in his performances over the years but was showcased on the biggest stage during the Olympics.
“Fashion is being unique,” Malinin said. “Being able to wear whatever you want, and being able to make a statement.”
Winners celebrated at ISU Figure Skating Awards in Prague
The ISU Figure Skating Awards 2026 in Prague brought together the skating community to celebrate the standout achievements of the 2025/26 season. The ceremony honored performances, creativity, and dedication across all disciplines, while also recognizing the contributions of coaches, choreographers, and costume designers who help shape the sport’s artistic identity.
Following more than 93,000 fan votes worldwide, a jury of figure skating experts determined the winners across key categories including Most Entertaining Program, Best Costume, Best Coach, and Best Choreographer. The event was hosted by Olympic medalists Ashley Wagner and Ben Agosto, who helped set the tone for a celebration of excellence on and off the ice.
The 2026 World Figure Skating Champions were also recognized during the ceremony: Kaori Sakamoto (Women), Ilia Malinin (Men), Minerva Fabienne Hase / Nikita Volodin (Pairs), and Laurence Fournier Beaudry / Guillaume Cizeron (Ice Dance).
ISU President Jae Youl Kim praised the season, highlighting how athletes’ performances and sportsmanship have inspired a growing global audience and brought new fans to the sport.
Among the other major awards, Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama won Most Entertaining Program for his men’s short program, praised for its blend of technical difficulty and expressive performance. Malinin’s Best Costume Award recognized the originality of his free skating outfit, designed by Satomi Ito and noted for its strong connection to his program’s artistic vision.
Other honorees included Ami Nakai, who was named Best Newcomer after an impressive debut season highlighted by an Olympic bronze medal, and the ice dance duo Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, who were named Skaters of the Year following a dominant campaign capped by Olympic and World Championship gold.
Phillip DiGuglielmo received Best Coach honors for guiding Alysa Liu to Olympic gold, while Benoît Richaud was recognized as Best Choreographer for his influential work across multiple elite programs throughout the season.
The ceremony underscored not only competitive success but also the artistry, creativity, and collaboration that define modern figure skating.
