It was announced yesterday that Michelle Kwan will be inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame at the U.S. Nationals in January in San Jose, California. San Jose is also the site of Michelle's first National title in 1996. Here is the article from icenetwork.com:
Kwan elected into U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame
American legend will receive great honor at U.S. Championships
Michelle Kwan received the most 6.0 perfect marks of any figure skater in history.
By U.S. Figure Skating
(12/15/2011) - Michelle Kwan, the most decorated figure skater in American history, has been elected to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Class of 2012. The induction will take place at the 2012 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Jan. 22-29, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
"Throughout my competitive career, it was always important to me to be a worthy representative of American figure skating and to bring honor to my sport and my country," Kwan said. "There can be no greater honor than to be elected to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. I am proud and humbled to become its newest member."
From 1995-2005, Kwan won an unprecedented 43 championships, which include five world titles and eight consecutive (and nine overall) U.S. titles. She is a two-time Olympic medalist, winning silver in 1998 and bronze in 2002. In the nearly 100-year history of U.S. Figure Skating, no American man or woman has won more world titles, U.S. titles or Olympic medals.
Kwan received 57 perfect 6.0 marks in major competitions, the most of any skater in history. She was awarded at least one 6.0 at her last five U.S. Championships, a record that will endure as the 6.0 system is no longer used. At the 1998 U.S. Championships, Kwan earned a record 15 perfect 6.0 marks out of a possible 18.
In 2006, the U.S. Secretary of State appointed Kwan as the first U.S. Public Diplomacy Envoy. In 2010, President Obama appointed her to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, and she was elected to the Board of Directors of Special Olympics International.
"Michelle Kwan is most deserving of this honor," Larry Mondschein, U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Chair of Nominating Committee, said. "She was the greatest female figure skater of her generation and continues to be a role model today both on and off the ice. The induction ceremony in San Jose will be a fitting tribute to Michelle's many contributions to our sport as this was where she won her first of nine U.S. titles."
The U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Induction will be held Friday, Jan. 27, in conjunction with the U.S. Championships. For information on the induction and reception or to purchase a ticket, visit www.usfigureskating.org.
For Kwan's full biography and photos, please visit usfigureskating.org.
In honor of Michelle's honor and impending induction, here is a beautiful video to her skating to "Dante's Prayer" by Loreena McKennitt in the exhibitions after winning her 2nd World Championship title in Minneapolis in 1998.
Enjoy!
As Dick Button would say, "Exquisite!"
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