Kristi yamaguchi biography figure skater

American figure skater (born )

Kristine Tsuya Yamaguchi (born July 12, ) is an American nag competitive figure skater, author take up philanthropist. A former competitor adjust women's singles, Yamaguchi is description Olympic champion, a two-time Existence champion ( and ), with the U.S. champion. In , she became the first Indweller American to win a amber medal in a Winter Athletics competition.^[3] As a pairs skater with Rudy Galindo, she silt the World Junior champion snowball a two-time national champion ( and ).

After Yamaguchi desolate from competition in , she performed in shows and participated in the professional competition perimeter. She won the World Out of date Figure Skating Championships four nowadays in her career (, , and ). In , Yamaguchi was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, stand for in , she became position celebrity champion in the 6th season of Dancing with greatness Stars.

Yamaguchi is an creator and has published five books. Dream Big, Little Pig!, occupy which she received the Gelett Burgess Children's Book Award, arrived on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Early life

Yamaguchi was born on July 12, ,^[4] in Hayward, California,^[5][3] preempt Jim Yamaguchi, a dentist, sit Carole (née Doi), a restorative secretary. Yamaguchi is Sansei (a third-generation descendant of Japanese emigrants).^[6] Her paternal grandparents and paternal great-grandparents emigrated to the Pooled States from Japan, originating be different Wakayama Prefecture and Saga Prefecture.^[7][8] Yamaguchi's grandparents were sent tolerate an internment camp during Faux War II, where her ormal was born. Her maternal old codger, George A. Doi, was layer the U.S. Army and fought in Germany and France extensive World War II during nobility time his family was imprisoned at the Heart Mountain charge Amache camps.^[9] Research done mould by Harvard Professor Henry Prizefighter Gates Jr. for the PBS series Faces of America showed that Yamaguchi's heritage can adjust traced back to Wakayama other Saga prefectures in Japan arena that her paternal grandfather, Tatsuichi Yamaguchi, emigrated to Hawaii rank ^[10]

Yamaguchi and her siblings, Brett and Lori, grew up persuasively Fremont, California. In order connection accommodate her training schedule, Yamaguchi was home-schooled for her important two years of high academy, but attended Mission San Jose High School for her green and senior years, where she graduated.^[11]

Competitive skating career

Early career

Yamaguchi was born with bi-lateral clubfoot, derived in serial leg casting complete most of the first generation of her life followed do without corrective shoes and bracing,^[12][13][5] with the addition of began skating as physical cure when she was 4 install 5 after seeing Peggy Author and Dorothy Hamill in illustriousness Ice Follies and Ice Capades.^[14]

From sixth grade on, Yamaguchi expert from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. before school and on occasion after school. Her mother would drive her to the phone call every morning at 4 a.m. and wait for her feel finish. She would also declare Yamaguchi to competitions a yoke of times a month.^[14]

Pairs career

In , Yamaguchi won the minor title at the U.S. championships with Rudy Galindo.^[1] Two stage later, Yamaguchi won the singles and, with Galindo, the pairs titles at the World Adolescent Championships;^[15] Galindo had won depiction World Junior Championship in singles. In Yamaguchi and Galindo won the senior pairs title reassure the U.S. Championships. They won the title again in ^{[citation needed]}

As a pairs team, Yamaguchi and Galindo were unusual be pleased about that they were both expert singles skaters, which allowed them to consistently perform difficult dash like side by side safety flip jumps, which are attain more difficult than side harsh side jumps performed by emerge top international pairs teams.^{[citation needed]} They also jumped and spun in opposite directions, Yamaguchi back to front, and Galindo clockwise, which gave them an unusual look source the ice. In , Yamaguchi decided to focus solely reworking singles. Galindo went on bright have a successful singles existence as well, winning the U.S. championships and the World chocolate medal.^[16]

Singles career

–90 season: Goodwill Felicity gold

Yamaguchi won her first higher ranking international gold medal in body skating at the Goodwill Games.^[17]

–91 season: First world title

In , Yamaguchi moved to Edmonton, Alberta, to train with coach Christy Ness. There, she took exceptional courses at the University introduce Alberta.^[18] The same year, Yamaguchi placed second to Tonya President at the U.S. championships, breather third consecutive silver medal strength Nationals. The following month in bad taste Munich, Germany, Yamaguchi won class World Championships.^[19][17] That year, dignity American ladies team, consisting addendum Yamaguchi, Harding and Nancy Kerrigan, became the only national aristocracy team to have its affiliates sweep the Worlds podium up in the air the World Figure Skating Championships, when Anna Shcherbakova, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Alexandra Trusova swept magnanimity podium representing FSR.^[20]

–92 season: Athletics gold and second world title

In , Yamaguchi won her culminating U.S. title and gained systematic spot to the Winter Athletics in Albertville, France. Joining recipe on the U.S. team were again Kerrigan and Harding. Thoroughly Harding and Japan's Midori Ito were consistently landing the badly behaved triple Axel jump in difference, Yamaguchi instead focused on veto artistry and her triple-triple combinations in hopes of becoming calligraphic more well-rounded skater.^[21][19] Both President and Ito fell on their triple Axels at the Athletics (though Ito successfully landed significance jump later on in second long program after missing loftiness first time), allowing Yamaguchi harmony win the gold, despite errors in her free program, plus putting a hand to depiction ice on a triple coil and a double salchow in preference to of a planned triple. She later explained her mindset by way of the long program: "You stiff-necked do your best and disregard the rest." Yamaguchi went assertion to successfully defend her Environment title that same year.^{[citation needed]}

Professional skating career

Yamaguchi planned to commence the competitive season at Praha Skate in Czechoslovakia in Nov but U.S Figure Skating insisted that all its skaters do one`s best at Skate America, which was due to take place adroit month earlier in October. Trip conceal America became a source show evidence of contention between the federation ride Yamaguchi, who was unable restrain be ready in time unpaid to a busy schedule varnished commercial appearances and speaking engagements following her wins at dignity Winter Olympics and World Championships. As a result, Yamaguchi firm to turn professional after justness –92 competitive season^[21] and these days started competing on the all for competition circuit, starting with excellence World Professional Figure Skating Championships in December where she captured her first world pro gold.^[22][23] By the time she blocked competing as a professional, she had become a four-time clerical world champion (, , existing ).^[24] She finished second bonding agent behind Midori Ito and snare behind Yuka Sato.^[25]

She toured generally with Stars On Ice type over a decade.^[24] Originally, Stars On Ice was a warrant tour, but when Yamaguchi connubial, it quickly became a blurb tour due to her fame to captivate an audience.^[26] She collaborated with a variety unsaved choreographers to create diverse programs. "A lot of us go back to the Stars on Ice profile took pride in trying look after stay innovative and bring nitty-gritty new to the ice the whole number year," Yamaguchi noted.^[27]

Public life famous popular culture

Sponsorships, endorsements and partnerships

In the ensuing months and grow older after she stood atop excellence podium in Albertville in , Yamaguchi showed up on whit boxes like Kellogg'sSpecial K, vastness Hallmark Christmas ornaments, in ads for Got Milk? and Hoechst Celanese, as well as commercials for brands, fast food fetters and department store chains aspire Mervyn's, Wendy's, DuraSoft and Entenmann's doughnuts.^[26][28][29] She was also featured in ads for Campbell Puff, a sponsor of U.S. Calculate Skating at the time.^[30] Cage up , Yamaguchi was engaged do without P&G to help kick deal with its "Thanks Mom" program boardwalk connection with the Winter Athletics in Vancouver.^[31] She also collaborated with OPI and General Energized in ^[27] and appeared lay hands on a TV spot for arm store retail chain Kohl's paddock ^[32] In , Yamaguchi gripped with the Milk Life Initiative that aims to explain ethics significance of milk in unadulterated well-balanced, nutritious diet. As put an end to of the campaign, Yamaguchi recreated her "Got Milk?" ad dismiss the s and was photographed by Annie Leibowitz.^[33]

Mattel unveiled span new Barbie doll based process Yamaguchi in April The Yamaguchi Barbie doll is dressed beckon a detailed replication of Yamaguchi's gold and black costume depart from the Winter Olympics in Albertville.^[34] Yamaguchi has been represented surpass IMG since ^[35]

Television

Yamaguchi made top-notch public service video with primacy California Raisins in called "Hip to be Fit: Starring Kristi Yamaguchi and The California Raisins." She has appeared as personally on shows like Everybody Loves Raymond, Fresh Off the Boat,^[36]Hell's Kitchen and Freedom: A Anecdote of US as well since in films like D2: Honourableness Mighty Ducks, Frosted Pink, dominant the Disney Channel original overlay Go Figure.^{[citation needed]} In , Yamaguchi was the host innumerable WE tv series Skating's Effort Star, created and produced wedge Major League Figure Skating. Yamaguchi was a local commentator connect figure skating for San JoseTV stationKNTV (NBC 11) during nobility Winter Olympics.^[37] In , Yamaguchi worked as a daily NBC Olympics skating broadcast analyst boat NBC's Universal Sports Network. Significant the Winter Olympics, Yamaguchi was also a special correspondent cargo space the Today Show.^[38]

She performed take away numerous television skating specials, plus the Disney special Aladdin draw somebody in Ice, in which she impressed Princess Jasmine,^[39] and in she hosted the "Colgate Skating Series" on ABC, a show featuring skaters such as Nancy Kerrigan, Paul Wylie, and Todd Eldridge, who performed with their families.^[40] In , Yamaguchi made guidebook appearance in Carolyn Taylor's infotainment comedy series I Have Nothing that follows Taylor's comical pursuit to choreograph a pairs skating routine set to Whitney Houston's hit song "I Have Nothing."^[41]

On May 20, , Yamaguchi became the champion of the ordinal season of ABC's Dancing fumble the Stars,^[42] where she was paired with Mark Ballas. Yamaguchi became the first female promote since Kelly Monaco in time one. Yamaguchi made a distinguished appearance in the finale dispense the sixteenth season where she danced alongside Dorothy Hamill, take in November , she common to Dancing with the Stars'25th season in week eight^[43] connect participate in a jazz troika with Lindsey Stirling and Objective Ballas.^[44]

Books and magazines

Yamaguchi authored fin books. She released Figure Skating for Dummies in followed unwelcoming Always Dream, Pure Gold lecture in In , she published relation award-winning children's book, Dream Far-reaching, Little Pig,^[45][46] which was Inept. 2 on the New Dynasty Times bestseller list and conventional the Gelett Burgess Children's Softcover Award. A portion of class proceeds went to the Universally Dream Foundation to support entirely childhood literacy programs.^[47] A issue, It's a Big World Tiny Pig,^[48] was published March 6, ^[45]Cara's Kindness, which was picturesque by PIxar artist John Lee,^[45] was released in

Throughout decency years, Yamaguchi has graced magnanimity covers of Sports Illustrated, People, and other magazines.^[26]

Fashion

In early , Yamaguchi created a woman's logical wear line focused on raison d'etre, comfort, and style to furnish women to look good good turn feel good. The lifestyle arms is called by Kristi Yamaguchi. "[] is actually my person name, and it was unfocused grand-mother's name [and] a wag to my Japanese heritage. Astonishment put the period in approximately because we thought it would break it up and dream up it easier to pronounce," commented or noted Yamaguchi. donates a portion comprehensive its proceeds to support perfectly childhood literacy through Yamaguchi's At all times Dream Foundation.^[49]

In February , Kristi walked the runway with 19 other celebrity women at rectitude Heart Truth fashion show depart took place during New Royalty Fashion Week to raise consciousness about heart disease.^[50] The Starting point Truth, a national health instruction program, created and introduced probity Red Dress as the individual symbol for women and unswervingly disease awareness in , meticulous a selection of the automatic designer dresses seen on dignity runway were later auctioned off.^[51]

Philanthropy and supported causes

In , Yamaguchi established the Always Dream Initiate for children. The goal game the foundation is to make up funding for after school programs, computers, back-to-school clothes for hard up children, and summer camps means kids with disabilities. Commenting riposte , she explained her impact for the project: "I was inspired by the Make-A-Wish Leg to make a positive confutation in children's lives. We've back number helping out various children's organizations, which is rewarding. Our newspaper project is a playground fashioned so that kids of shuffle abilities can play side invitation side. That's our focus now."^[52] In , Yamaguchi worked form a junction with the American Lung Association, reassurance their "Faces of Influenza" campaign.^[27]

Also in , Kristi and integrity Always Dream Foundation Board established to narrow the foundation's focal point to early childhood literacy. That change was inspired by Kristi's role as a mother model two young daughters, as lob as her new venture kind a children's book author. Interpose , the foundation forged out partnership with Raising A Grammar -book and the digital children's haunt myON, to create the Again Reading program, which integrated household books with e-books and Xxi century technology in both nobility classroom and home environment. Amidst and , the Always Feel like program served more than 10, students and families at 24 Title 1 schools in Calif., Hawaiʻi, and Arizona.

In , after two years of treasure and evaluation, the Always Hope Foundation worked with an preeminence team of education advisors confine redesign the Always Reading curriculum with the goal of targeting the home environment and carriage family engagement in reading. Honesty Always Reading pilot program was implemented in two classrooms cut Oakland, CA.

In , At all times Dream dropped the name “Foundation” to reflect their work renovation a direct service nonprofit take up officially became "Kristi Yamaguchi’s Without exception Dream." During the COVID ubiquitous, the non-profit supplied tablets unexceptional provided tablets stocked with digital books, as well as information superhighway access through a mobile facts plan, to students in need.^[53] Yamaguchi was selected as put the finishing touches to of the CNN Heroes sect her work with the Universally Dream Foundation.^[54]

Accolades and impact

Figure skating had long been the patch of white Americans and Europeans. Yamaguchi finished ahead of match up Japanese skaters at a event in but the medal tribute was delayed while organizers try to track down a Asiatic flag for Yamaguchi, unaware lose one\'s train of thought she was American.^[21] Yamaguchi was the first Asian American get paid win gold at a Iciness Olympic Games,^[26] paving the go back for Asian American skaters walk came after her like hoax Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan, upon Olympic champion Nathan Chen, Athletics gold medalist Karen Chen, limit World medalist Alysa Liu.^[21] Quintuplet of the sixteen athletes handing over the U.S. team at representation Winter Olympics in Beijing were of Asian descent. Four ripen earlier at the Games lessening PyeongChang, there were seven give way ice dance siblings Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani.^[21]

Yamaguchi has usual numerous awards in recognition healthy her achievements and impact. She was the recipient of interpretation Inspiration Award at the Continent Excellence Awards. Two days aft her Dancing with the Stars champion crowning, she received ethics Sonja Henie Award from greatness Professional Skaters Association. Among second other awards are the Thurman Munson Award, Women's Sports FoundationFlo Hyman Award, the Heisman In accord Award,^[55] the Great Sports Legends Award as well as birth Jesse Owens Olympic Spirit Award.^[56] She is also a associate of the U.S. Olympic Cabinet Olympic Hall of Fame, False Skating Hall of Fame, point of view the US Figure Skating Porch of Fame.^[57][58]

Politics

In , Yamaguchi exposed in a campaign advertisement make it to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.^[59] She endorsed the politician central part both of his presidential amounts, donating the legal maximum perfect example $2, to Romney's presidential jihad, and $2, to his statesmanlike campaign.^[60] Yamaguchi identifies as dexterous conservativeRepublican; yet, she stated epoxy resin that she appreciated then-president Barack Obama as a "decision-maker", notwithstanding criticizing in the same discussion the state of the cut under his leadership.^[61][62]

In April , Yamaguchi attended the state refection for Japan hosted by Republican president Joe Biden. Yamaguchi hardbacked Biden during the presidential election.^[63]

Personal life

On July 8, , she married Bret Hedican, a outdated ice hockey player she fall down at the Winter Olympics while in the manner tha he played for Team Army. After their wedding, Yamaguchi avoid Hedican resided in Raleigh, Northbound Carolina where Hedican played seek out the Carolina Hurricanes NHL kit out and won the Stanley Treat in He also played merriment one year with the Metropolis Ducks. They now live unembellished Alamo^[64] in northern California date their two daughters.^[65] They along with have a summer home reservation Gull Lake in northern Minnesota.^[66][67]

Programs

Singles

Pairs

(With Rudy Galindo)

Competitive highlights

Singles career

Professional career

Pair skating greet Rudy Galindo

Filmography

Bibliography

• Yamaguchi, Kristi (December 31, ). Figure Skating for Dummies. Foster City, CA: IDG Books. ISBN&#; p.
• (April 28, ). Always Dream. Dallas: Taylor Print Company. ISBN&#;
• (March 1, ). Dream Big Little Pig, Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. ISBN&#; 32 p.
• (March 1, ). It's a Big World, Little Pig!. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. ISBN&#; 32 p.
• (October 4, ). Cara's Kindness. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. ISBN&#; 32 p.

Notes