ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s ski jumper Ilya Mizernykh delivered the best Olympic result in the country’s history, finishing eighth in the men’s large hill event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 15.

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

MILAN (AP) — Ilia Malinin posted a video on social media Monday juxtaposing images of his many triumphs with a black-and-white image of the U.S. figure skater with his head buried in his hands, and a caption hinting at an “inevitable crash” amid the pressure of the Olympics while teasing that a “version of the story” is coming on Saturday.

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)

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.

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

Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov shared a viral 6-word message on Monday, days after winning Olympic gold in the free skate final.

The American superstar handled his loss with grace.

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

Ilia Malinin entered the 2026 Winter Olympics as one of Team USA’s biggest gold medal hopes, but the outcome didn’t go as planned.

Olympic gold medalist Mikhail Shaidorov reveals the 3-word message he received from Ilia Malinin after the free skate final.