Ilia Marinin: The “Quad God” of Figure Skating

If you’ve ever come across the nickname “Quad God,” you might wonder what’s behind it. In the case of Team USA figure skater Ilia Marinin, it’s a title that certainly has its reasons.

Marinin has already made headlines by winning a gold medal with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics, particularly contributing to their triumph in the team event. His performance, which featured five remarkable quadruple jumps, was instrumental in securing a narrow victory over Japan.

Now, he’s gearing up for his individual pursuit of gold in the men’s short program, starting Tuesday.

What earned him the nickname “Quad God” is quite significant. Marinin notably became the first skater to successfully land a quadruple axel in competition back at the 2022 CS United States International Classic. This particular jump is considered the most challenging in figure skating, demanding that a skater take off from the front outside edge and land backward on the opposite foot. Interestingly, “rotation speed” sounds a bit misleading because the axel requires an extra half-turn, meaning Marinin’s jump actually entails 4.5 rotations.

And, astonishingly, he was just 17 years old at the time.

“This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen someone do on ice,” remarked 2018 Olympian Adam Rippon when he witnessed Marinin’s achievement.

But that’s not all. Last year, Marinin made history again by landing three quadruple jumps during a single free skate program. At the 2025 Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, he even managed to execute an unbelievable seven quadruple jumps in one routine.

So, how does one become a “Quad God”? It seems Marinin himself took on that name in a lighthearted manner. He initially changed his social media handle after landing his first quadruple jump, and though it started as more of a joke, he began to chase that title seriously. “What if I become a quad god?” he thought, and the journey took off from there.

This knack for executing complex jumps gives him a definite edge in competitions. The more difficult jumps elevate his scoring potential significantly.

Some competitors, like Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, are visibly impressed. Kagiyama, who actually triumphed over Marinin in the team short program, describes him as someone who performs these difficult jumps with an effortless appearance. Kagiyama noted that Marinin’s artistry and expression have only improved, leading him to consider the skater invincible.

Beyond the pursuit of medals, Marinin really aims to advocate for the sport itself. “The most important thing for me is to show the world how passionate I am about my sport and how much I love skating and performing,” he said before the competition. He expressed a desire to rekindle the excitement around figure skating, which he feels is often overlooked.

Marinin’s impressive aerial feats could remind many of athletes like Michael Jordan, who inspired a generation with his extraordinary skills. While we may not all have the ability to dunk a basketball or conquer a quadruple jump, the dreams ignited by such talents can certainly help elevate the sport Marinin cherishes.

The journey continues with the men’s short program on Tuesday.