It wasn’t a medal round. It wasn’t a record attempt. But it may have been one of the loudest moments of the entire gala.
American star Ilia Malinin teamed up with France’s Adam Siao Him Fa to deliver a jaw-dropping surprise during the Figure Skating Exhibition Gala — a perfectly timed, nearly synchronized backflip that instantly sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The setup felt casual at first. Both skaters glided side by side, building speed with subtle glances toward each other. Fans in the arena sensed something was coming, but few expected the level of precision that followed.
Then, almost at the same second, both launched.
Two clean backflips. Two controlled landings. One explosive reaction from the audience.
The timing wasn’t exact to the millisecond — but it was close enough to feel choreographed down to the heartbeat. The roar that followed echoed through the arena as fans jumped to their feet, phones already raised.
Backflips aren’t allowed in traditional competition programs under current figure skating rules, which makes gala moments like this even more thrilling. Exhibition nights give skaters freedom — and Malinin and Siao Him Fa clearly embraced it.
For Malinin, whose athleticism has redefined what’s possible on the ice, the move felt like a signature stamp. For Siao Him Fa, known for his own fearless showmanship, it was a perfect match of energy and risk.
What made the moment special wasn’t just the difficulty. It was the camaraderie. Two elite competitors from different countries choosing to share the spotlight — and the adrenaline — in a way that felt spontaneous and joyful.
Within hours, the clip went viral across social platforms, with fans replaying the synchronized takeoff and celebrating the rare display of playful collaboration at the Olympic stage.
No scores. No judges. Just two skaters, one shared impulse, and a double backflip that turned a gala into a viral highlight.
