Published: 15:26, March 30, 2025 | Updated: 16:36, March 30, 2025
Malinin retains gold, continues US dominance at figure skating worlds
By Xinhua
(From left) Silver medalist Mikhail Shaidorov, of Kazakhstan; gold medalist Ilia Malinin, of the United States; and bronze medalist Yuma Kagiyama, of Japan, pose for photos during a medal ceremony for men's free skating at the figure skating world championships, March 29, 2025, in Boston, United States. (PHOTO / AP)

WASHINGTON - American star Ilia Malinin continued the dominance of the United States by winning the men's singles title at the 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, which concluded on Saturday in Boston.

Malinin claimed the gold with 318.56 points, followed by Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov and Japan's Yuma Kagiyama. Dai Dawei finished 18th with 221.20 to secure an Olympic berth for China in the men's singles.

Ilia Malinin of the United States does a backflip during his routine in Men's Free Skating during the 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at TD Garden on March 29, 2025 in Boston, United States. (PHOTO / AFP)

Team USA stood out at this tournament, also a qualifier for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, with Malinin and returning women's champion Alysa Liu taking the singles titles and ice dancers Madison Chock/Evan Bates securing a historic third straight Worlds win. Japan's Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara topped the pairs' event.

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Struggling for tickets to Milan, Chinese skaters competed in the women's, men's singles and ice dance. However, only Dai completed his mission while An Xiangyi fell short of the women's free skate and young ice dance duo Ren Junfei/Xing Jianing also missed the cut.

Dai Dawei of China ranks 18th in men's competition with 221.20 points at the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships in Boston, United States, on March 29, 2025. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

"This wasn't my best performance," said Dai. "But competing against the world's top skaters has been motivating. As my first Worlds, it brings me closer to my dream. I'll work with my coach on new programs for next season."

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With the season concluded, China's focus and hopes for more figure skating Olympic berths shift to September's Olympic qualifier in Beijing.