Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov shared a viral 6-word message on Monday, days after winning Olympic gold in the free skate final.

Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan's gold medal in men's free skate stunned everyone — including himself. Here's what he had to say. (AP photo)

Dmitry Druzhinsky is confident that the online approach enables maintaining a training rhythm, monitoring physical indicators, and maintaining a professional level even in difficult circumstances. For many athletes, this is becoming an important tool for stability and confidence.

Mikhail Shaidorov became Kazakhstan’s first Olympic gold medallist in men’s figure skating after triumphing at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. View on euronews

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s digest highlights President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s reflections on global stability, a historic Olympic triumph by Mikhail Shaidorov, Almaty’s selection to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, deepening UK-Kazakhstan economic ties, and more.

New York, NY, United States, February 18, 2026 /MarketersMEDIA/ -- Dmitry Druzhinsky, co-founder of MatchPoint NYC sports center and developer of online training programs for athletes, announces the expansion of his international athlete development initiatives following the 2026 Winter Olympics.

All five figure skating champions at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games have been crowned. Olympic figure skating took its final curtain call until 2030 on Thursday as Alysa Liu won gold and snapped the individual Olympic medal drought that plagued American women for 20 years.

In a shocking twist at the 2026 Winter Olympics, American figure skater Ilia Malinin​ didn't make it to the podium after falling twice during the free skate. Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov took home the gold.

In one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo, Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov won the gold medal. The gold for Shaidorov was completely unexpected. This was Kazakhstan’s first medal of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.