20 Famous Female Ice Skaters Who Won Olympic Medals

That’s exactly what Katarina Witt brought to the ice, stunning audiences with her boldness and magnetic charm. This German legend won two Olympic gold medals and became an inspiration for young skaters around the globe. Youngest Female Medalist Kim Yun-Mi holds the record for the youngest medalist ever, male or female, at the Winter Olympics.

When we talk the greats in the world, regardless of gender, Witt should be at the forefront of that conversation. Witt won singles gold for East Germany at the 1984 and ’88 Winter Games. In addition, she is a four-time world champion and joined Sonja Henie in winning six consecutive European Championships ( ). Witt’s post-skating career has included some acting gigs on such TV hits as “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Arli$$” as well as big-screen smash “Jerry Maguire.” When it comes to ice dancing, the conversation really must begin with the legendary pair of Great Britain’s Torvill and Dean. Ten years later, the four-time, world championship-winning pair returned to capture Olympic bronze at Lillehammer.

• Many of these girl figure skaters are still active, but others have retired.
• The victory was emotional for Fleming, who was 12 when her coach, Bill Kipp, and the U.S. figure skating team died in a plane crash en route to the 1961 World Championships.
• His signature move, the backflip, a feat few other figure skaters could perform at the time, is against U.S.

She is a decorated skater as till now she hadn’t won any Olympic gold medal. She is the World champion five times and a US national champion nine times. American Figure Skater Kristi Yamaguchi ranks in the eighth position among the greatest female figure skaters.

List of figure skaters (women’s singles)

He’s the only male skater to win Olympic gold with two different partners, first, with Natalia Mishkutionok at the 1992 Games in Albertvill and then in ’98 while teamed with Oksana Kazakova at Nagano. Dmitriev and Mishkutionok also took home silver at the ’94 Olympics in Lillehammer. Imagine a skater whose charm and charisma lit up the arena, captivating everyone in her presence.

Michelle Kwan (1990’s–2000’s)

In 1976, the creative and supremely talented Curry won gold at both the Olympics and the world championships. Known for his style and elegance on the ice, Britain’s Curry reportedly posted the highest score for a men’s singles competition at the time (105.9) while placing first at the Innsbruck Games in ’76. Imagine a skater who could perform flawless jumps and spins without a single wobble. With her elegant presence and impeccable technique, Michelle secured herself nine U.S. championships and two Olympic medals. She remains an inspiration to skaters worldwide, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication. That’s how Kristi Yamaguchi’s performances mesmerized audiences worldwide.

Who is the youngest ever woman gold medalist in Olympic Games winter or summer?

Patrick Chan is a Canadian figure skater known for his graceful performances and technical prowess. Born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1990, Chan’s journey to becoming one of the top figure skaters of all time began at a young age. He showed immense talent and dedication, training under renowned coaches to refine his skills.Chan’s breakthrough came in 2008 when he won his first national title in Canada.

He’s a four-time Olympic medalist (tied for second all time) with singles gold in 2006 and team gold in ’14. Plushenko also brought home the silver medal at the 2002 and ’10 Winter Games. He’s a seven-time European champion, a three-time World champion, and even dabbled, though rather unsuccessfully, in politics in his homeland.

• In 1976, the creative and supremely talented Curry won gold at both the Olympics and the world championships.
• At the 2017 World Championships, Medvedeva became the first 16-year-old female skater after Michelle Kwan to win back-to-back world titles.
• She was the first female skater who won the gold medal in Olympics for independent Ukraine.
• Arakawa was 24 when she took the title, making her the oldest women’s Olympic figure skating champion since 1908 champion Florence “Madge” Cave Syers, who won at 27.
• Michelle Kwan remains a legendary name, known for her unparalleled artistry and consistency.

Ukraine Figure Skater Oksana Baiul is ranked in the fourth position among the greatest female figure skaters. She was the first female skater who won the gold medal in Olympics for independent Ukraine. She is remembered for her beautiful skating, ballet movement, and expression. Not only is Plushenko perhaps the greatest male singles skater in Russian history, but he also is right up there with the best in world.

Japanese figure skating legend Midori Ito won the 1989 World Figure Skating Championships and the 1992 Olympic figure skating silver medal. In addition to being the first woman to land the triple axel jump in competition, in 1992 she made history by becoming the first woman to land a triple axel at the Olympics. Her glittering cabinet boasts of an Olympic bronze and gold and silver medals at the world championships. She left behind a legacy when she fell during the 1972 sapparo games but did not fail to provide a vibrant smile. She is best known for winning a gold medal and a bronze medal at the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Previously, she had won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

The latter is still a world record for men and shared with the great Sonja Henie and Irina Rodnina. Four years later, one of the country’s most popular athletes at the time, stepped up her game and won gold at the Squaw Valley Olympics. In addition to her Olympic success, Heiss finished first five times at the world championships ( ). Not only is Hamilton one of the greatest skaters of all time, but he remains a true ambassador for the sport — and not just in the United States.

The Greatest American Female Figure Skaters of All Time

She mainly participated in the ladies’ singles and is the only Canadian to have won the Olympic ladies’ singles gold medal. The legacy of these exceptional female ice skaters showcases the captivating fusion of artistry, athleticism, and determination that has long defined the mesmerizing world of figure skating. The dazzling world of figure skating has been elevated by remarkable female figure skaters who have enthralled audiences with their exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.

Katarina Witt, the 1984 and 1988 Olympic figure skating champion, is one of the most successful figure skaters in history. The charismatic German skater was the first woman to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in singles figure skating since Sonja Henie in 1936. This German athlete is tough competitor to The top spot of the greatest female figure skaters. She has won two Olympic gold medals, first time in this list and has two world championships under her name, could’ve been two more but she finished second in those. She has won six European championships equaling the record by the top spot.

There’s a good bet any young girl with dark hair living in America in the mid-to-late 1970s sported the famed Dorothy Hamill bobbed haircut. Especially in 1976, when the 19-year-old became America’s skating sweetheart while winning Olympic gold and also placing first at the world championships. Hamill, who also placed second twice at the Worlds, was known for her “Hamill camel” — combination camel and sit spin. She is still celebrated on and off the ice and is a breast cancer survivor who has battled depression.

She introduced greatest female figure skater of all time short dance routines and skirts in the sport thus making it more glamorizing. American Figure skater Janet Lynn is ranked in the tenth position among the greatest female figure skaters. She won various bronze and silver medals in Olympics, World Championship, and the North American championship. These top active women figure skaters will also continue to bring enjoyment to figure skating fans — not only those of today but also those of generations to come.

The only skaters with three consecutive titles are Gillis Grafström in men’s singles, Sonja Henie in women’s singles, and Irina Rodnina in pairs. The most consecutive titles in ice dance is two, which has only been achieved by Oksana Grishuk and Evgeny Platov. In addition, one women’s singles skater, three men’s singles skaters, and five pair skaters have earned consecutive titles. Two ice dancers and three pair skaters have earned non-consecutive titles. Norwegian Figure skater Sonja Henie is ranked in the first position among the greatest figure skaters. She won three Olympic gold medals, ten world championships, and six European championships.

Their routines can be beautiful or humorous, heartbreaking or inspiring. This list includes the best female figure skaters in American figure skating history. They are all worth remembering, from the early greats (such as Tenley Albright) to the newer faces (such as Rachael Flatt), whether for athleticism, artistry, or a combination of both. These are the women in American figure skating new skaters and audiences will be inspired by for years to come.