Kristi Yamaguchi
A versatile force in both singles and pairs, former American skater Kristi Yamaguchi claimed the title of 1988 World Junior champion. Alongside her partner Rudy Galindo, she secured dual national championships in 1989 and 1990. In her solo endeavors, she triumphed with gold at the 1992 Winter Olympics and clinched the World Champion title in 1991 and 1992. Yamaguchi featured in the triumphant American ladies’ team, including Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan, that dominated the World’s podium, achieving a feat unparalleled until the 2021 World Figure Skating Championships.
Post her 1991 and 1992 victories, Kristi Yamaguchi transitioned into the realm of professional skating, gracing numerous stages with the Stars on Ice tour and participating in professional competition circuits. Her excellence was recognized when she was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2008, she added ballroom dancing to her repertoire, captivating audiences on “Dancing with the Stars,” where she clinched victory with pro Mark Ballas. Yamaguchi returned to the show’s later seasons, teaming up with fellow former skater Dorothy Hamill and musician Lindsey Stirling for captivating performances.