|
Kristi Yamaguchi brought home the Gold medal from the 1992 Games in Albertville, ending a 16-year drought for U.S. women's champions. The last U.S. champion was Dorothy Hamill in 1976, Yamaguchi's idol.
Yamaguchi was born with a misshapen foot and took up skating as a child in an effort to cure her deformity. Skating worked and Yamaguchi started serious training for her dream of winning an Olympic medal. In 1988, she won the individual and pairs Gold medals at the World Junior Championships. In 1991, she captured single's Gold at the World Figure Skating Championships. She won the U.S. title in 1992, captured Olympic Gold, and polished off the year by winning her second straight world championship.
Yamaguchi is only the second U.S. woman, after Peggy Fleming, to successfully defend her world title. After a superb season in 1992 and her induction into the U.S. Hall of Fame, Yamaguchi joined the professional ranks and currently tours with 'Discover Stars on Ice.'
In addition to her skating, Yamaguchi is involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Women's Sports Foundation. She also commits time to her own Always Dream Foundation, which raises money for needy children.
|
