![]() |
Kristine YamaguchiAmerican figure skater
Date of Birth: 12.07.1971
Country: ![]() |
Content:
Biography of Kristi Yamaguchi
Kristi Yamaguchi is an American figure skater who won the gold medal in women's singles at the 1992 Winter Olympic Games in Albertville. She was born in Hayward, California, and grew up and studied in Fremont, ultimately completing her education in San Jose.
Early Career
Yamaguchi began skating as a child as a form of therapy for her foot deformities. In 1986, she and Rudy Galindo took first place in pairs skating at the U.S. Championships. Two years later, she claimed first place in singles skating and, along with Galindo, first place in pairs at the World Junior Championships in 1988. In both 1989 and 1990, Yamaguchi and Galindo once again took first place in pairs skating at the U.S. Championships. What made them unique as a pair was that both were also competing in singles skating and performed jumps and spins in opposite directions - Yamaguchi counterclockwise and Galindo clockwise. This mirrored technique was primarily intended to hide their lack of synchronization in executing elements.
Olympic Success
In 1992, Yamaguchi won the gold medal in women's singles at the Winter Olympic Games. She became the first woman to claim first place in both the U.S. Championships and singles and pairs skating.
Personal Life
Kristi Yamaguchi is married to NHL player Bret Hedican. They have two daughters: Keara Kiyomi (born October 1, 2003) and Emma Yoshiko (born November 16, 2005). In 1996, she founded the Always Dream Foundation, a charitable organization focused on children. Yamaguchi is also friends with fellow figure skater Michelle Kwan.