Ilia Malinin holds off resurgent Japan to seal repeat US team figure skating gold

Malinin delivers to secure US Olympic team gold winJapan pairs skating brilliance pushes US team to limitHost Italy secure team bronze on home Olympic rinkThe United States held off a late charge from Japan to retain the Olympic team figure skating title on Sunday, with Ilia Malinin delivering in the men’s free skate to secure gold after three days of competition. Japan finished with silver, while host nation Italy claimed bronze.The United States survived a final-day surge from Japan to retain the Olympic team figure skating title on Sunday night, with Ilia Malinin delivering under intense pressure in the men’s free skate to secure gold at the Milano Cortina Games. Japan finished one point behind in silver, while host nation Italy claimed bronze after three days of tightly contested compe