In the realm of figure skating, Ilia Malinin’s name shines brightly, adorned with accolades and achievements that have catapulted him to the upper echelons of the sport. As the 2022 Skate America Champion, 2022 Grand Prix of Espoo Champion, and the 2022-23 Grand Prix Final Bronze Medalist, Malinin’s prowess on the ice is undeniable. Yet, behind the spotlight, lies a family story intertwined with skating heritage and shared aspirations.
Meet Liza Malinin, the younger sister of Ilia Malinin and a cherished member of the skating dynasty forged by their parents, Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov. Born in 2014, Liza, at the tender age of 8, embodies the promise and potential that runs deep within the Malinin lineage.
The roots of Ilia Malinin’s journey trace back to his parents, Olympic Skaters for Uzbekistan, whose indelible mark on the skating world reverberates through their son’s accomplishments. Tatiana Malinina, his mother, showcased her prowess by finishing 8th at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Japan, while Roman Skorniakov, his father, held his own by placing 19th in both the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics.
From a young age, Ilia found himself immersed in the world of skating, guided by the watchful eyes and nurturing hands of his parents-turned-coaches. Their journey together began when Ilia was just six years old, skating alongside his parents’ students at Reston’s SkateQuest facility. What started as an after-school pastime blossomed into a passion, igniting a flame that would soon set the skating world ablaze.
In a candid interview, Ilia’s father reflected on their initial approach to his son’s burgeoning interest in skating. “At the beginning, we didn’t take it seriously,” Tatiana Malinina revealed to NBC. “We just took him to where we were working, and he was skating there.” Little did they anticipate the depth of Ilia’s commitment and the heights he would reach on the ice.
In a revealing podcast conversation with retired U.S. figure skater Polina Edmunds, Ilia shed light on his parents’ initial reluctance to see him follow in their footsteps competitively. “My parents didn’t want me to do skating, because they went through everything, like training, so I don’t think they wanted to go through [it with] me,” he shared. “But once I stepped on the ice, I enjoyed it and started skating more and more.”
The legacy of Tatiana Valeryevna Malinina, a retired figure skater from Russia who represented Uzbekistan, and Roman Skorniakov, a figure skater who found his home in Uzbekistan, serves as the cornerstone of Ilia’s journey. Tatiana’s triumphs at the Grand Prix Final in 1999 and the Four Continents championship in 1999, alongside Roman’s national championship titles and Olympic endeavors, epitomize the spirit of resilience and determination that courses through the Malinin family veins.
As Ilia Malinin continues to carve his path on the ice, one question lingers: does he have siblings? In Liza Malinin, the younger sister and cherished confidante, Ilia finds not only a sibling but a kindred spirit, bound by shared experiences and a love for the artistry of skating. Together, they embody the enduring legacy of family, where support, camaraderie, and a shared passion for skating illuminate their journey forward.