U.S. world figure skating champion Ilia Malinin continued his dominance in international men’s competition Friday as he helped his country take a 15-point lead over second-place Japan heading into the final day of the season-ending World Team Trophy in Tokyo.
Overnight leaders the United States staked a commanding position with 95 points, while Japan, buoyed by Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara’s pairs short program win, advanced to 80 points, with Italy moving up to third in the six-nation field on 66.
A day after winning the men’s short program, Malinin was not at his brilliant best but nevertheless good enough to top the free skate with a score of 183.88, earning the United States 12 team points.
Ilia Malinin of the United States performs in the men’s free program at the World Team Trophy figure skating competition in Tokyo on April 18, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Ilia Malinin of the United States is pictured after performing in the men’s free program at the World Team Trophy figure skating competition in Tokyo on April 18, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
U.S. teammate Jason Brown scored 179.33 for second, with Italy’s Daniel Grassl 6.88 points back in third. Japan’s Shun Sato earned 169.62 for fourth, while Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama struggled again, scoring far below his personal best with 168.93 points for fifth.
Kagiyama was unable to execute some of his highest-scoring elements, falling on a quadruple salchow attempt and failing to cleanly land a quad toe loop.
Malinin also fell during his routine but justified his “Quad God” nickname as he delighted the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium audience with multiple quadruple jumps.
World champions Miura and Kihara earned 80.99 points, which was both a personal best and the highest short program score in the world this season. Italy’s Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii were second with 74.10 points.
Riku Miura (L) and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan react after performing in the pairs short program at the World Team Trophy figure skating competition in Tokyo on April 18, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
“It felt comforting having our teammates nearby and I was able to enjoy skating the routine from start to finish,” said Miura, who yelled with delight as the score was revealed. “I’m really glad we could achieve our personal record.”
Japan’s Utana Yoshida and Masaya Morita placed sixth out of the six nations in ice dance, won by Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States.
The free skate segments of the pairs and women’s competition will be held Saturday.
Related coverage:
Figure skating: U.S. leads Japan after Day 1 of World Team Trophy
Figure skating: Yuma Kagiyama to add quad flip to SP at World Team Trophy
Figure skating: Kagiyama 3rd as Malinin wins back-to-back at worlds
AloJapan.com