Mikhail Shaidorov became Kazakhstan’s first Olympic gold medallist in men’s figure skating after triumphing at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026.View on euronews

In one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov won the gold medal. The gold for Shaidorov was completely unexpected. This was Kazakhstan’s first medal of the Milan-Cortina Games.

ROME — Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov won gold in men’s figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, delivering a decisive free skate to secure the country’s second Winter Olympic title as an independent nation and first Olympic gold in figure skating. His victory also marked Kazakhstan’s first Olympic gold in figure skating.

Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan's gold medal in men's free skate stunned everyone — including himself. Here's what he had to say. (AP photo)

A Brazilian skier secured South America’s maiden medal at a Winter Games the day after a Kazakh figure skater won his nation’s first gold in 32 years.

Ilia Malinin saw his Olympic dream unravel after two costly falls during the men’s figure skating final, leaving the American star without a medal. He finished eighth. Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan won the gold medal with 291.

Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov wins Olympic gold in men's figure skating, taking the podium with two Japan skaters after Ilia Malinin meltdown.

Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan achieved a historic Olympic figure skating gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, stunning the field with a career-best performance. He landed five quadruple jumps to secure the title,

Ilia Malinin arrived at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina carrying a weight few athletes ever experience. By the time the Men’s Figure Skating event began, Ilia Malinin wasn’t just a contender – he was the favorite by far.

Kazakhstan will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games after Saudi Arabia's withdrawal.

Americans who top the podium at the Milan Cortina Games will be in line for a $37,500 bonus. Their competitors could collect as much as $800,000.