Reigning World Champion figure skater Illia Malinin says he's "heartbroken" after the deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C. that killed dozens, including many of his fellow figure skaters.

14 skaters, coaches and their families were aboard the flight on their way back from the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kan., which Malinin won on Sunday, Jan. 26, three days before the crash.

In response to the tragedy, Malinin, 20, who currently holds both world and national championship titles in men’s figure skating, posted on his Instagram Stories as the full scope of the tragedy unfolded.

"I'm heartbroken by the tragic loss of my fellow skaters in this devastating accident," Malinin, 20, wrote. "The figure skating community is a family, and this loss is beyond words. My thoughts are with their families, friends and everyone affected. We will never forget them."

Malinin won his third-consecutive world championship title at the competition in Wichita on Sunday, Jan. 26, “with the second-highest free skate and total score in U.S. Championships history,” according to Figure Skating Online. The U.S.'s top male figure skater lives and trains in Northern Virginia. It is not currently known when or if he traveled back to the D.C. area.

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Earlier Thursday, U.S. Figure Skating addressed the incident that claimed the lives of 14 U.S. figure skaters, coaches and family members, including married 1994 World Champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

“U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C. These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,” the statement said.

Related: Married World Figure Skating Champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov Killed in American Airlines Crash

“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available,” the statement continued.

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