Michelle Kwan
An Overview of Michelle Kwan
Michelle was born of July 7th, 1980 in her hometown of Torrance California. She began skating at the age of five after watching her brothers playing hockey. After watching 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Brian Boitano acomplish his dream, Michelle knew what she wanted to do: She was determined that she would someday go to the Olympics.
After sneaking behind her coach, Frank Carroll's, back, Michelle applied
for Senior status before Frank thought she was ready,at the age of 12!!!,
but Michelle was accepted. Michelle spent her first few years as a senior
skater behind the shadows of other American skaters, and was sent to Lillihammer
for the 1994 Olympic games as an alternate, should Nancy Kerrigan not be ready,
or should the USFSA force Tonya Harding to withdraw. That was a very interesting
year for Michelle, filled with valuable experiences in her first World Championships.
Michelle placed 8th, and assured the US team that she would have a place on
next years team.
Michelle Kwan changed the skating world and shaped it to what it is today. Michelle continued to challenge her competition. In order to beat her, you needed at least six triples. Her legend continues today and continues to skate because she loves it, not because of the medals she earns. With 35 6.0s, that is a record that will be hard to beat, if ever.
YEAR |
AWARD |
1994 |
World Juinor Champion |
1994 |
United States National Silver Medalist |
1994 |
Winter Olympics; alternate |
1995 |
United States National Silver Medalist |
1996 |
United States National Champion |
1996 |
World Figure Skating Champion |
1997 |
United States National Silver Medalist |
1997 |
World Figure Skating Silver Medalist |
1998 |
United States National Champion |
1998 |
World Figure Skating Champion |
1998 |
Winter Olympics; Silver Medalist |
1999 |
United States National Champion |
1999 |
World Figure Skating Silver Medalist |
2000 |
United States National Champion |
2000 |
World Figure Skating Champion |
2001 |
United States National Champion |
2001 |
World Figure Skating Champion |
2002 |
United States National Champion |
2002 |
World Figure Skating Silver Medalist |
2002 |
Winter Olympics; Bronze Medalist |
2003 |
United States National Champion |
2003 |
World Figure Skating Champion |
2004 |
United States National Champion |
2004 |
World Figure Skating Bronze Medalist |
2005 |
United States National Champion |
2006 |
Winter Olympics; qualified but withdrew |
