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Fri, January 31, 2025
Thu, January 30, 2025

Ilia Malinin, World Champion Figure Skater Who Won Competition Before Deadly Crash, Says He's 'Heartbroken'


Published on 2025-01-30 15:05:19 - People
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  • Reigning World Champion figure skater Illia Malinin, who won the competition in Wichita that his teammates had left from before dying in the plane crash in DC, posted on Instagram on Thursday, Jan. 30 that he was 'heartbroken' by their deaths.

Ilia Malinin, the 19-year-old figure skating world champion, expressed his heartbreak over a deadly plane crash in Russia that killed 74 people, including members of the Russian figure skating community. The crash involved a private jet carrying Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, and occurred on August 23, 2023. Malinin, who has Russian heritage, took to social media to share his grief, mentioning the loss of coaches, skaters, and friends. He highlighted the impact on the figure skating community, noting the loss of young talent and the void left in the sport. Malinin also reflected on the broader implications of the tragedy, urging for peace and an end to violence.

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