Simon ShnapirAmerican figure skater, pair skating specialist.
Date of Birth: 20.08.1987
Country: USA |
Content:
- Biography of Simon Shnapir
- Early Life
- Education and Career
- Success in Junior and Senior Competitions
- Olympic Success and Current Ranking
Biography of Simon Shnapir
Simon Shnapir is an American figure skater specializing in pair skating. He is currently ranked 9th in the ISU rankings and has won a bronze medal in the Olympic Games, as well as two national championships alongside his partner Marissa Castelli.
Early Life
Simon Shnapir was born in Moscow, Russia, into a Jewish family. However, he only lived in the Soviet Union for 16 months before his parents moved to the United States. At birth, he was named Semyon Borisovich.
Education and Career
Shnapir attended school in Brighton, Boston before later moving to Sudbury, Massachusetts. In 2005, he graduated from high school and went on to study marketing at Emerson College.
Before teaming up with Marissa Castelli in April 2006, Shnapir had previous partners including Tanya Aziz and Courtney Gill. The duo began training together in June and worked with several renowned coaches in Boston. Carrie Wall choreographed their technique, Peter Johansson assisted with lifts, Mark Mitchell refined their technique and transitions, and Bobby Martin oversaw the training process.
Success in Junior and Senior Competitions
In 2008, Shnapir and Castelli reached the Junior Grand Prix Final, finishing in 6th place. They won a bronze medal at the 2009 World Junior Championships, showcasing their potential in the sport.
The 2009-2010 season started off challenging for the pair, as Castelli had to take a month off from training due to a serious injury caused by a collision with an Italian skater. However, they persevered and achieved notable results, including a 10th place finish at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, earning them a spot at the Four Continents Championships where they also finished 10th.
In 2012, Shnapir and Castelli briefly separated, but reunited a month later. They went on to win gold at the 2012 Ice Challenge and bronze at the 2012 NHK Trophy, marking their first Grand Prix medal. The following year was even more successful, with the duo winning their first national championship at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and securing a bronze medal at the Four Continents Championships.
Olympic Success and Current Ranking
In 2014, Shnapir and Castelli defended their national championship title and were selected to represent the United States in the Winter Olympics in Sochi. They won a bronze medal in the team event but finished 9th in the pairs competition.
As of February 2014, Shnapir and Castelli are currently ranked 9th in the ISU standings for figure skaters.