Who is Donovan Carrillo? 26-year-old makes history at the 2026 Winter Olympics as first Mexican figure skater to reach two Olympic finals

Donovan Carrillo is a 26-year-old pioneering Mexican figure skater from Guadalajara, returning to the men’s free skate at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. He became the first Mexican figure skater to reach two Olympic finals and the only Latin American competitor in the men’s field this winter.

How Did Carrillo Perform in the Short Program?

Carrillo secured 75.56 points, placing 23rd out of 39 skaters, just inside the top-24 cutoff for the free skate on Feb. 13 (ET). He struggled with a triple axel, positioning both hands on the ice, an error judged as a fall but rapidly regained composure to compete with energy and grace.


U.S. frontrunner Ilia Malinin surged ahead with 108.16 points, but Carrillo focused on survival and returning to the stage he helped redefine in Beijing. He finished with a radiant shout to the crowd, signalling pride and relief.

What Makes Carrillo’s Journey Unique?

Carrillo began skating at age 8 in Guadalajara and relocated to León when his rink closed, following coach Gregorio Núñez. His training often happened in shopping malls on smaller, dimly lit ice shared with the public, with non-specialized music. These unconventional situations built adaptability and resilience are rarely watched in Olympic competitors.

At the 2022 Winter Olympics, Carrillo ended a 30-year Mexican Olympic figure skating drought, progressed to the free skate, and completed 22nd, the perfect placement by a Latin American male skater at the time. Milan-Cortina 2026 remains that legacy.

What Did Carrillo Say About His Performance?

After completing his performance, Carrillo proclaimed: “This is for all of Mexico! Dreams do come true!” His performance drew praise from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who described him as “a great source of pride for Mexico.”

FAQs:

Q1. Who is Donovan Carrillo?
Donovan Carrillo is a Mexican figure skater from Guadalajara. He has competed in multiple Olympics and is the first Mexican male skater to reach two Olympic finals.

Q2. How old is Donovan Carrillo?
He is 26 years old. Carrillo was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico.