She was the second figure skater to perform two quadruple Lutz jumps in one program, following American skater Nathan Chen. Slutskaya was known for her power on the ice, making history as the first woman to land a triple-Lutz-triple-loop combination. He was awarded the Order of Merit by the Russian Federation in 2003 and joined the figure skating Hall of Fame in 2017. Kulik went on to win two Russian national championships, followed by a stunning Olympic debut with one of the most challenging programs ever successfully skated at that time.
Since then, he’s worked as an actor, TV host and sports commentator. He was primed for success from the start, landing all his double jumps by age 10 and five triples before the age of 12. She was too young to compete on the Junior Grand Prix circuit that season, but she continued working her way up, eventually winning Olympic gold in 2014.
Peggy Fleming (1960’s)
- Tessa Virtue, along with her partner Scott Moir, wowed fans with their seamless ice-dance routines.
- A year later, she won the junior title as well and proceeded to place second to Tenley Albright at the national championships from 1953 to 1956.
- We all have our favorite figure skaters that we root for at the Olympics and other international championships.
- When his competitive days ended, the four-time Canadian champ became one of the most sought after skating choreographers, working with the likes of Tara Lipinski, Evan Lysacek, Patrick Chan and Yuzuru Hanyu.
- Whether known only because of their figure skating or for other reasons, these are the most amazing American figure skaters the sport has seen.
She remains the only American woman who has won an Olympic gold without ever having won a World or U.S. senior national title. She received a number of medals over the years that followed, competing with Michelle Kwan and Irina Slutskaya at the 2002 Olympics. The silver medalist, however, was too young to qualify for the event, and Hughes ended up competing at senior Worlds. That, plus her signature triple loop-triple loop combination, helped her defeat Michelle Kwan at the 1996 Champion Series final.
Tara Lipinski was tiny when her parents realized she might have a future in figure skating. Her work inspired the creation of groups like Diversify Ice, which helps provide skating instruction to young skaters of color. She remains the first and only skater representing Ukraine to win a gold medal. Before the controversy ruined her career, she was a figure skating powerhouse.
Kristi Yamaguchi:
She remarried for a third time in 2010 and has a son. Tonya’s story only grew more popular with time, especially after the release of 2018’s Oscar-nominated film I, Tonya. Her plea deal allowed her to avoid jail time, but everyone else involved in the attack served time behind bars. While the skater has since taken a step back from the spotlight, she continues to do what she loves, occasionally posting from inside the rink on Instagram.
Games: Kristi Yamaguchi Smashes Barriers
Three years later, she became the youngest athlete in history to win gold at the U.S. She started out as a roller skater, winning a national championship in her age group at just 9. While she was watching the 1984 Olympics, she balanced on top of a Tupperware container pretending to be on the podium winning a gold medal. As a result, the cost of being a competitive skater has severely stunted the sport’s diversity.
- Are you ready to twirl through the tales of ice’s elite warriors?
- It becomes entertaining and encouraging for women to play this sport.
- She began skating at the age of 4, moving to Moscow in 2015 to train more seriously.
- Meryl won the entire competition, and later branched out into projects of her own.
- She was only 15 at the time of the scandal, and her exclusion from the sport is tragic.
- The silver medalist, however, was too young to qualify for the event, and Hughes ended up competing at senior Worlds.
Heiss took the request seriously, going on to win Olympic gold in 1960, along with a fifth World Championship title. In five short years, she managed to reach national acclaim, winning the U.S. novice ladies’ title at just 11. Carol Heiss began skating when she was 6 years old near her home in New York City. She practiced medicine for 23 years, and in 2015, she was inducted into the National Woman’s Hall of Fame. Shortly after, she contracted polio, but she survived and used skating as part of her rehabilitation. She first learned to skate in her backyard, which her father flooded each winter to create a make-shift rink.
If you’re trying to find out the names of famous Chinese figure skaters then this list is the perfect resource for you. List of notable or famous figure skaters from China, with bios and photos, including the top figure skaters born in China and even some popular figure skaters who immigrated to China. These figure skaters are among the most prominent in their field, and information about each well-known figure skater from Canada is included when available. List of notable or famous figure skaters from Canada, with bios and photos, including the top figure skaters born in Canada and even some popular figure skaters who immigrated to Canada.
The Greatest American Figure Skaters of All Time
She won two Olympic gold medals and four World Championships, bringing drama and excitement to every routine. Dorothy Hamill captured hearts with her gold-medal performance at the 1976 Winter Olympics. Fleming’s talent inspired a new wave of love for the sport at a time when it was losing attention. She won gold at the 1968 Winter Olympics and three World Championships, standing out with her smooth approach to skating. She won three Olympic gold medals and 10 World Championships, setting records that still stand today! Organised chronologically, this list highlights how each skater shaped the sport with their talent and determination.
Off the ice, Yamaguchi is probably best known for winning Season 6 of “Dancing with the Stars.” Witt’s post-skating career has included some acting gigs on such TV hits as “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Arli$$” as well as big-screen smash “Jerry Maguire.” Witt won singles gold for East Germany at the 1984 and ’88 Winter Games. When it comes to ice dancing, the conversation really must begin with the legendary pair of Great Britain’s Torvill and Dean.
She didn’t just make history for the jump itself but for being one of the few underprivileged athletes to make it in a notoriously elitist sport. She had athleticism that most famous ice skaters female of her competitors could only dream of, and she was the first American woman to land a triple Axel in competition. She was the first Asian-American woman to win a gold medal in a Winter Olympics event.
Michelle Kwan
Yuna Kim, also known as the “Queen Yuna,” is a South Korean figure skater who has made a significant impact on the sport. With nine U.S. championships, five world championships, and two Olympic medals to her name, Kwan’s legacy in the sport is unmatched. From Olympic champions to world record holders, these skaters have left a lasting impact on the sport.
“It wasn’t because I had finally won the medal. It was seeing the American flag go up and hearing the band play ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’ ” The 19-year-old earned the lone gold for the United States. “I was in great pain, but I figured for four minutes I could put up with anything,” she said afterward. She also was renowned for her cutting-edge short skating outfit.
This is a list of skaters who are on the senior, junior, or novice national team for the current season. Fairbanks continued to open doors for other Black ice skaters after becoming a teacher and coach. She was met with constant racism and discriminatory acts; however, she did not let that deter her from pursuing her figure skating passions. In her career, Bonaly became a five-time European champion and three-time silver medalist at the World Championships. Before transitioning into the medical field, Debi Thomas was a professional figure skater who achieved high feats. Howard University made headlines as the first HBCU to establish a figure skating team.
As if that’s not enough, she was also the first female skater to land a double Axel, and one of the few skaters capable of jumping in both directions. In 1956, she cut her right ankle so deeply that it hit bone, and despite becoming the first American female skater to win an Olympic gold, she retired shortly after. She was a gifted athlete, also excelling at tennis, swimming and horseback riding, but figure skating was her true claim to fame. Sonja Henie was born over a century ago in Norway and began figure skating as a young child.
Like many world events, the 2014 Olympics were subject to controversy, and figure skating was no exception. As anyone who’s tried figure skating can attest to, learning to skate gracefully, let alone to perform jumps and spins, can be taxing and tiring. Or perhaps it is their artistry that makes the greats of American figure skating enjoyable to watch. During her gold-medal performance in Innsbruck, Austria, Hamill skated her signature “Hamill Camel.” Then, upon finishing, the audience showered the ice with flowers. The victory was emotional for Fleming, who was 12 when her coach, Bill Kipp, and the U.S. figure skating team died in a plane crash en route to the 1961 World Championships.
Her lively skating and fearless approach helped her shine on the world stage. Sarah Hughes became an instant star when she won Olympic gold in 2002. She won five World Championships and two Olympic medals, all thanks to her smooth and skillful performances. Witt’s daring costumes and theatrical routines proved skating could be as entertaining as it was competitive. Katarina Witt ruled the ice in the 1980s with her confident and bold performances.