Mikhail Malkin

Mikhail Malkin, nicknamed 'Misha', is one of the most dominant tumblers in the world. Born on July 30, 1996 in Baku, Azerbaijan, he began his journey in acrobatics at the age of five, enrolled by his grandmother who recognized his extraordinary energy. After experimenting with several gymnastics disciplines, he found his calling in tumbling — a discipline that demands explosive power, precise body control, and fearless commitment on every pass.nnMalkin made his international senior debut in 2015 and quickly established himself as a formidable force on the FIG circuit. In 2018, he claimed gold at the European Championships held in his home city of Baku, igniting a career trajectory that would redefine Azerbaijani gymnastics. His path was not without adversity: in October 2019, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon at the World Cup in Valladolid, requiring surgery and forcing him to miss the 2019 World Championships. The setback only strengthened his resolve. At the 2021 World Championships, held again in Baku, Malkin competed through severe back pain sustained during qualification — and still earned a silver medal, a performance that became emblematic of his mental toughness.nnThe peak of his career arrived in 2023 at the FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Birmingham, UK. Malkin became the first Azerbaijani gymnast ever to win a World Championship gold medal in individual tumbling. He also claimed gold with the national team, making it a historic double. European Gymnastics subsequently named him Gymnast of the Year, a recognition backed by over 52% of public votes. Described by the International Gymnastics Federation as 'a tumbling machine', Malkin trains under head coach Adil Huseynzada at Ojaq Sports Club in Baku and is a central figure in the Azerbaijani national team.