Kristi Yamaguchi
Kristi Yamaguchi
Kristine Tsuya Yamaguchiis an American former figure skater. In ladies' singles, Yamaguchi is the 1992 Olympic champion, a two-time World champion, and the 1992 U.S. champion. As a pairs skater with Rudy Galindo, she is the 1988 World Junior champion and a two-time national champion. In her earlier figure skating days, her youth partner was Michael Teves. In December 2005, she was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. In 2008, Yamaguchi became the celebrity champion in the sixth...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionFigure Skater
Date of Birth12 July 1971
CityHayward, CA
CountryUnited States of America
I don't know how many people really knew who I was before the Olympics and that's the fun thing of the Olympics - you get to know someone who captures your heart, hopefully.
I'd try to channel my nervous energy in a positive way into strength and endurance. It didn't always work.
I've realized how precious life is. When I was younger, I was more adventurous. I felt invincible. I was game for everything. As a mom, I don't want to get injured because then I can't take care of my kids.
I'm always looking for inspiring ways to stay motivated and stay active.
Being an athlete, you know how to train and prepare your body for a performance and you're able to do it under pressure.
The skaters a lot of times do their own hair and makeup before they compete. That was always kind of a ritual...that calming, quiet time where you can just do your hair and makeup. And then I would always lace up my right skate before my left one.
The past couple years training with Kurt have really brought inspiration into my skating.
I learned to put 100 percent into what you're doing. I learned about setting goals for yourself, knowing where you want to be and taking small steps toward those goals. I learned about adversity and how to get past it.
I burnt myself out of skating. I was ready to focus on being a mom.
Having achieved my own dreams, I want to give to kids who are less fortunate, who struggle with everyday obstacles. I want to give them something positive in their lives: support.
Dorothy Hamill was my big idol as a kid. She'd won the Olympics in 1976. She was America's sweetheart with her personality, her talent, her haircut.
Winning in women's singles felt surreal. I felt that everything I had done - the hard work, the tough times - was all worth it.
I didn't want to skate for someone else or for certain marks.
As a teenager especially, I just wanted to do my thing and not be noticed.