Reflecting on what they talked about during nationals a year ago, he remembered how Vadim told him consistency and resilience would be key to his success moving forward, “whether it was training, competing, off ice, on ice, all of that. And I carried that through all the way to this point.”
And after three straight years of finishing fourth, Maxim ended up in third place this year after his free skate, set to “In This Shirt” by The Irrepresibles. And that proved enough for a spot on the Olympics team with 2026 U.S. champion Ilia Malinin, dubbed the “Quad God,” and silver medalist Andrew Torgashev. His good friend Spencer is also in Milan, competing in pairs skating with partner Emily Chan.
And Maxim’s parents are there, too, with him as always. “I know they’re looking down,” he said upon punching his ticket to the Games. “Smiling and proud.”
See smiles, tears and more of the best candid moments from the 2026 Olympics:
