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Michelle Wingshan KwanAmerican figure skater
Date of Birth: 07.07.1980
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Michelle Kwan
Early Life and CareerMichelle Kwan is an American figure skater who competed in singles skating. She is a two-time Olympic medalist (1998 and 2002), a five-time World champion (1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003), and a nine-time U.S. champion (1996, 1998-2005). Kwan is considered one of the greatest figure skaters of all time, known for her resilience and expressive artistry on the ice.
Born in Torrance, Michelle Kwan is the third child of Danny and Estella Kwan, Chinese immigrants from Hong Kong. She developed an interest in figure skating at the age of five when she followed her older brother Ron and sister Karen to the rink. Kwan's sisters began serious training when she was eight years old, practicing for three to four hours a day before and after school. The increased time on the ice put a financial strain on their working-class family. When Kwan turned ten, they could no longer afford a coach, but they received financial assistance from members of the Los Angeles Figure Skating Club, allowing them to train at the Ice Castle International Training Center in Lake Arrowhead, California.
Kwan attended Soleado Elementary School in Palos Verdes, California, but she began homeschooling in 1994 when she was in eighth grade. After graduating from Rim of the World High School in 1998, she briefly attended the University of California, Los Angeles before transferring to the University of Denver in 2006. In 2009, Kwan graduated with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Political Science and went on to pursue a master's degree in International Relations at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Diplomatic Career
In 2006, during a state visit of the Chinese leader to the United States, Michelle Kwan attended a lunch hosted by President George W. Bush with Chinese President Hu Jintao. On November 9, 2006, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appointed Michelle Kwan as a public diplomacy envoy. In this unofficial capacity, Kwan promotes American values to youth and sports enthusiasts and travels extensively. She continued her diplomatic role in the Obama administration, working with Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Kwan has made cameo appearances in several TV shows and movies and has lent her voice to various animated characters. She has also authored inspirational books for children and has been involved in numerous sponsorship and endorsement deals.
Achievements
Michelle Kwan's career is filled with numerous achievements and records. She won five World championships, more than any other woman since Carol Heiss (1956-1960). Kwan also won nine U.S. championships, equaling the record set by Maribel Vinson-Owen (1928-1933, 1935-1937). Her eight consecutive national titles and 12 consecutive medals at the national championships are both records for the United States. Kwan also holds the distinction of being the only female figure skater to recapture the world title three times after losing it (1998, 2000, 2003). She won a silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano and a bronze medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Throughout her career, Kwan received a total of 57 perfect scores of 6.0 at national and international competitions, with the majority coming from the U.S. Championships. Since the scoring system in figure skating has changed, Kwan's records will remain unbeaten. She is also the recipient of the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award, given to the best amateur athlete in the United States. Kwan was the first figure skater to receive this award since Dick Button in 1949.
Later Career and Legacy
After the 2002 season, Kwan continued to compete in the Olympic cycle, although on a more limited scale. In the 2002-2003 season, she won all the competitions she entered, including the U.S. Championships and the World Championships. Kwan hired coach Scott Wilson and continued her successful run, winning her third U.S. title and defending her World title in 2003.
Kwan decided to skip the Grand Prix series in 2003 and 2004, which had implemented a new scoring system. She competed in only one Grand Prix event, Skate America, in the fall of 2002, which she won. Kwan continued to be a dominant force in figure skating, but injuries and personal challenges eventually led to her retirement from competitive skating in 2006.
Michelle Kwan's impact on the sport of figure skating extends beyond her competitive achievements. She is revered for her artistry, grace, and ability to connect with audiences. Kwan's influence continues to inspire young skaters around the world, and she remains one of the most beloved and respected figures in the history of American figure skating.
