In a surprising turn of events at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov clinched the gold medal in men's figure skating, while the pre-competition favorite, American Ilia Malinin, finished in eighth place after experiencing two significant falls during his performance. This Olympic event highlighted the unpredictable nature of competition, as Shaidorov, who is also 21 years old, capitalized on the mistakes of others, including his own slip during the performance.

Malinin's performance was marked by immense pressure as he stepped into the spotlight, being one of the top competitors in the event. After his disappointing finish, Malinin opened up about the psychological burdens he faced leading up to the games, stating that the media attention and expectations to perform well made the experience overwhelming. He expressed a need to process what occurred and reflected on the desire many athletes have to rethink their career outcomes.

The men's figure skating competition was fraught with errors among the leading athletes, with Japanese skaters Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato finishing with silver and bronze medals, respectively. The night was characterized by technical challenges, raising questions about the mental aspects of performance under pressure. The results have significant implications for the athletes' future competitions and their mental health, especially for those like Malinin who contend with the weight of expectations.