A quad, or a quadruple axel, is considered one of the most difficult jumps in figure skating, one which many talented skaters have attempted and failed as of September 2022 when 17-year-old US skater, Ilia Malinin, successfully executed the first ever quadruple axel in figure skating history to win the CS U.S. International Figure Skating Classic 2022 in New York, hence, was dubbed as the ‘Quad god’. The quadruple axel requires four and a half revolutions in the air and demands a clean and elegant landing. Ilia Malinin remains the only figure skater to successfully attempt and execute this jump.

Getty Images / International Skating Union / Joosep Martinson – International Skating Union

The jump received a full base value of 12.50 points, which is the most awarded for any quad jump as the quadruple axel is the hardest, and a 1.00 grade of execution, which means it was considered a clean jump and landing by the judges panel. Landing his quadruple axel to the utter astonishment of the public and a mighty cheer from the crowd, Ilia Malinin rightfully deserves his title of a ‘quad god’ as even the two time Olympic gold medalist, the Japanese figure skater, Yazuru Hanyu, have been unable to land the jump. Yazuru Hanyu made it his life’s mission to land the jump even after retirement from competition. Ilia Malini cited Yazuru Hanyu as his inspiration to attempt the quadruple axel.

Ilia Malinin is the son of Russian-born Uzbekistani skaters and draws his inspiration from his mother’s skating. He is the 2022 World Junior Champion, 2021 JGP France I champion, and 2021 JGP Austria Champion. In September 2022, Ilia Malinin was also named by TIME magazine as one of the Time100 Next List of Emerging Leaders from around the world who are shaping the future and defining the next generation of leadership. Only 18 years old currently, Ilia Malinin has accomplished what many skaters spend their entire careers attempting to do so.