Figure skater Kamila Valieva hits historic triple axel in Olympic debut
Kamila Valieva is on a league of her own.
The 15-year-old Russian was enthralling at the figure skating team event on Saturday night in Beijing, as she became only the fourth woman in Olympics history to land a triple axel — and the first European to do so.
All of that in her Olympic debut.
Valieva put on one of the most scintillating performances in the history of Winter Olympics figure skating short programs, posting a score of 90.18 points. Her efforts propelled the Russian team into first place after the second of three days of competition, cementing them as the prohibitive favourites.
Kamila Valiyeva made Olympic history at 15 years old. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/tTC1TgfTqK
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 6, 2022
Valieva's triple-axel feat — as well as every other aspect of her dominant, historic Olympic performance — sent figure skating fans into an internet frenzy.
never seen a skater like Kamila Valiyeva. just stunning
— Juliana Nikac (@juliananikac) February 6, 2022
when you just made history at 15. 💜#камилавалиева#olympics #figureskating pic.twitter.com/yX1QukdtMk
— daily kamila valieva (@kamiIavalieva) February 6, 2022
Valiyeva's warmup Waltz is higher than I have ever jumped in my life.
— Kendra! (@KendraJames_) February 6, 2022
oh my god she’s having so much fun thank you china for organising this show for kamila valieva pic.twitter.com/a1DS1HC1Fl
— ruth (@vaIieva) February 4, 2022
I simply don't have words for how much better Kamila Valiyeva is than everyone else. Triple axel with arms over her head like it's NOTHING! It would be one thing if she was just a jumping machine but she's an ARTIST too. Totally one with the music. Exhilirating.
— Chris Schleicher (@cschleichsrun) February 6, 2022
✨pure magic #teamROC #KamilaValieva pic.twitter.com/ndkO8Bbtyh
— Maria Lapteva (@MariaMarrisa) February 6, 2022
Kamila Valiyeva legit looks like she’s just doing ballet on ice
— flying fart noodle (@angelactose) February 6, 2022
Kamila Valiyeva is going to send me into another dimension with her short program I just know it #Olympics
— Hannah Moran (@HannahBea_Moran) February 6, 2022
Despite the global hype, the Russian wunderkind remained humble after nearly breaking her own world record in her Olympic debut.
“I'm obviously happy that we're in the lead at the moment,” Valieva said after her performance on Saturday, “and I hope that continues in the free skate as well.”
Putting ROC's Kamila Valiyeva's triple axel into incredible perspective. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/GF7bR5OSJP
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 6, 2022
Valieva’s teammate, Russian ice dancer Nikita Katsalapov, said that Valieva continues to get better as the competition continues and that she motivates the whole team.
“All the best qualities of a figure skater come together in this fragile girl,” Katsalapov lauded her 15-year-old teammate. “She motivates the whole team … It’s just a pleasure to watch her performances. She improves from one competition to the next.”
America’s Mirai Nagasu was the last woman to complete a triple axel in the Olympics, accomplishing the feat at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.
Valieva's score was the absolute best of the night. Wakaba Higuchi of Japan finished in second place, a whopping 15 points behind the Russian phenom. Her squad now holds a three-point lead over the United States heading into the final of the competition.
More from Yahoo Sports
