• Malinin delivers to secure US Olympic team gold win

• Japan pairs skating brilliance pushes US team to limit

• Host Italy secure team bronze on home Olympic rink

The 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.

American hopes had rested heavily on the 21-year-old Malinin after a below-par short program on Saturday left the defending champions vulnerable heading into the final day. But the self-styled “Quad God” produced when it mattered most, leading the men’s free skate segment to seal the title and ensure the team gold remained in US hands.