Kazakhstan’s Olympic Figure Skating Gold Medalist

Mikhail Shaidorov, the 21-year-old Kazakhstani figure skater, etched his name into Olympic history on February 13, 2026, by claiming gold in men’s singles at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. In a stunning upset, Shaidorov delivered the competition’s only clean free skate, landing five quadruple jumps to score a career-best 198.64 in the free program and 291.58 overall. This victory made him Kazakhstan’s first Olympic figure skating champion and the nation’s first Winter Olympic gold medalist since 1994.

The result shocked the figure skating world, as pre-event favorite Ilia Malinin faltered with falls and finished eighth. Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama took silver, and Shun Sato earned bronze. Shaidorov, who placed fifth after the short program (92.94 points), rose through the chaos of errors from top contenders to become a national hero.

Here are 10 essential things to know about Mikhail Shaidorov, updated as of February 14, 2026:

1. Historic Olympic Gold in Milano Cortina 2026 Shaidorov’s triumph on February 13 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena marked Kazakhstan’s first Olympic gold in figure skating and only its second Winter Olympic gold ever (following cross-country skier Vladimir Smirnov in 1994). His flawless free skate featured five quads, earning him a total of 291.58 points—a season best and personal record. The performance came after a solid short program fifth-place finish, positioning him perfectly amid widespread falls and underrotations from rivals. Shaidorov’s stunned reaction in the kiss-and-cry area, as medals shifted from bronze to silver to gold, captured the moment’s drama. This debut Olympics delivered Kazakhstan’s breakthrough in a sport long dominated by powerhouses like Russia, the U.S. and Japan.
2. Breakthrough 2024-25 Season Set the Stage Shaidorov exploded onto the elite scene in 2024-25, winning the Four Continents Championships title—the first ISU championship gold for a Kazakh skater in a decade—and silver at the World Championships. These results built his reputation as a technical innovator. He qualified for the Grand Prix Final and medaled multiple times on the circuit, showcasing consistency and ambition. Despite an up-and-down Olympic season with some inconsistencies, his pre-Games momentum positioned him as a dark horse rather than a favorite.
3. Technical Pioneer with Groundbreaking Jump Combinations Shaidorov has pushed boundaries in men’s skating. He became the first to land a triple Axel-quadruple toe loop combination in competition (at the 2024 Grand Prix de France) and the first to perform a triple Axel-Euler-quadruple Salchow (at the 2024 Grand Prix Final). His programs emphasize high-difficulty quads early, with layouts designed for maximum technical element scores. At the Olympics, his five-quad free skate highlighted this prowess, earning a leading 114.68 technical score. Coaches credit his precision and risk-taking for elevating Kazakh skating.
4. Born into a Skating Family in Almaty Born June 25, 2004, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Shaidorov—known as Misha—grew up in a figure skating household. His father, Stanislav Shaidorov, a six-time Kazakh national champion, coaches and inspired his early start in 2010. Shaidorov trains at the Altynalmas club in Almaty and Sochi, Russia, under 1994 Olympic champion Alexei Urmanov and Ivan Righini. Standing 1.74 meters (5 feet 9 inches) and a student by profession, he balances academics with elite training. His humble beginnings at a local mall rink contrast with his global success.
5. Five-Time Kazakh National Champion Shaidorov has dominated domestically, claiming five consecutive Kazakh Championships from 2019 to 2023 (with continued strength in recent years). These titles secured his international berths and allowed experimentation with programs. His national success echoes the legacy of late Kazakh legend Denis Ten, whose 2014 Olympic bronze long inspired Shaidorov. As Kazakhstan’s leading men’s skater post-Ten, he carries national expectations while advancing the sport locally.
6. Multiple Grand Prix Medals and Challenger Success A four-time ISU Grand Prix medalist, Shaidorov earned silvers and bronzes across events like Skate America and Cup of China in recent seasons. He also secured three Challenger Series medals. These consistent podiums built his world ranking and experience against top competition. His 2024-25 Grand Prix performances, including innovative combos, qualified him for finals and honed his big-stage composure—key to his Olympic upset.
7. Additional Honors: Asian Winter Games Bronze and More Shaidorov added continental hardware with bronze at the 2025 Asian Winter Games. His resume includes steady top finishes at major events, proving reliability under pressure. While not always the flashiest, his clean skating and growing artistry (program components in the 80s at Olympics) have earned praise for maturity beyond his years.
8. Under-the-Radar Olympic Debut Turned Legendary Entering Milano Cortina as an underdog after mixed results, Shaidorov flew below expectations dominated by Malinin’s “Quad God” hype. His fifth in the short set up a free skate where he stayed composed while favorites crumbled. Media described him as shy and awkward off-ice, yet fierce on it. His gold proved “nothing is impossible,” as he noted post-event, inspiring underdogs worldwide.
9. Legacy Tied to Denis Ten and Kazakh Skating Revival Shaidorov continues the path blazed by Denis Ten, Kazakhstan’s sole prior Olympic figure skating medalist (bronze 2014). Ten’s influence looms large; Shaidorov has cited him as motivation. His victory revives Kazakh pride in the sport, potentially boosting funding, rinks and youth participation in Almaty and beyond.
10. Future Bright After Olympic Glory At 21, Shaidorov’s Olympic gold cements elite status with room for growth. His technical edge and composure suggest potential multi-Olympic contention. Post-victory, he becomes a national icon, with celebrations in Kazakhstan already underway. As figure skating evolves toward even greater difficulty, Shaidorov’s innovative jumps position him to lead. His story—from Almaty mall rink to Olympic podium—embodies perseverance and surprise.

Mikhail Shaidorov’s Milano Cortina triumph transcends sport, delivering historic joy to Kazakhstan and reminding the world that upsets define greatness. From dark horse to champion, his journey captivates and inspires.