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Shizuka Arakawa

Shizuka Arakawa at the 2003 Skate Canada.
Personal Info
Country:	Japan
Date of birth:	December 29, 1981 (1981-12-29) (age 25)
Residence:	Simsbury, Connecticut
Height:	168 cm (5'6")
Former Coach:	Nikolai Morozov, Evgeni Platov, Nanami Abe, Tatiana Tarasova, Richard Callaghan, Minoru Sano, Kumiko Sato, Hiroshi Nagakubo
Skating Club:	Prince Hotel
Retired:	May 7, 2006
ISU Personal Best Scores
Short + Free Total:	191.34	2006 Olympics
Short Program:	66.02	2006 Olympics
Free Skate:	125.32	2006 Olympics

Shizuka Arakawa (荒川 静香, Arakawa Shizuka^?, born December 29, 1981) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2006 Olympic Champion and the 2004 World Champion. She is the first Japanese figure skater to win the Olympics. She currently works as a skating sportscaster on Japanese television. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... These are the Olympic medalists in figure skating. ... Neve and Gliz, the 2006 Olympics mascots, on display in Turin The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, were celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. ... Four figure skating events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the Palavela venue. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... is the 363rd day of the year (364th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Simsbury is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut. ... Nikolai Morozov (also spelled Morosov) is a former competitive ice dancer, who works now as a coach and a choreographer. ... Oksana Gritschuk und Evgeny Platov at the European championships 1994 in Copenhagen Evgeny Platov, born in the former USSR, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in ice dancing and a four time World Champion with former partner Oksana Gritschuk. ... Tatiana Anatolyevna Tarasova (born February 13, 1947) is a Russian figure skating coach who has coached more world and Olympic champions than any other coach in the world. ... Richard Callaghan is an American figure skating coach. ... Sano Minoru is a former Japanese figure skater. ... Kumiko Sato (née Okawa) , born on February 22, 1946 in Osaka, Japan) was a Japanese figure skater who is now a coach. ... Hiroshi Nagakubo (長久保裕; Nagakubo Hiroshi) (born December 14, 1946) is a Japanese retired pair skater who now works as a coach. ... is the 127th day of the year (128th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... (Redirected from 2006 Olympics) See also: 2006 Winter Paralympics The XX Olympic Winter Games will be held in Turin, Italy from February 10 to 26. ... (Redirected from 2006 Olympics) See also: 2006 Winter Paralympics The XX Olympic Winter Games will be held in Turin, Italy from February 10 to 26. ... (Redirected from 2006 Olympics) See also: 2006 Winter Paralympics The XX Olympic Winter Games will be held in Turin, Italy from February 10 to 26. ... is the 363rd day of the year (364th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Figure skating is an ice skating sporting event where individuals, mixed couples, or groups perform spins, jumps, and other moves on the ice, often to music. ... Four figure skating events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the Palavela venue. ... World Figure Skating Championships: Mens singles winners: 1896 - Gilbert Fuchs, (Germany) 1897 - Gustav Hugel, (Austria) 1898 - Henning Grenander, (Sweden) 1899 - Gustav Hugel, (Austria) 1900 - Gustav Hugel, (Austria) 1901 - Ulrich Salchow, (Sweden) 1902 - Ulrich Salchow, (Sweden) 1903 - Ulrich Salchow, (Sweden) 1904 - Ulrich Salchow, (Sweden) 1905 - Ulrich Salchow, (Sweden) 1906 - Gilbert... American Sportscasters A sportscaster, sports announcer, or sports commentator is a type of journalist on radio or television who specializes in reporting or commenting on sports events. ...

Personal life

Arakawa was born in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan, and grew up in Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region. She is the only child of Koichi and Sachi Arakawa. She was named Shizuka after Shizuka Gozen. Shinagawa ) is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. ... For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ... Sendai ) is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and the largest city in the Tōhoku (northeast) region. ... Tohoku region, Japan The Tōhoku region (東北地方; Tōhoku-chihō) is a geographical area of Japan. ... Lady Shizuka, in a book illustration by Kikuchi Yōsai. ...

She enrolled at Waseda University in March 2000, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in social sciences in 2004, while still competing in competition. She won her world championship title days after completing her graduation examinations at Waseda. Waseda University ), often abbreviated to Sōdai ) is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. ...

She lived and trained for a time at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in Simsbury in the United States after the closure of the Konami Sports Ice Rink in Sendai, where she began her career. Simsbury is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut. ... This April 2007 does not cite its references or sources. ...

Arakawa cites gourmet cooking as one of her hobbies. She collects beanie babies, has a pet shih tzu (named Charo) and hamster (named Juntoki). Teddy Beanie Baby A Beanie Baby is a stuffed animal filled with plastic pellets, or beans, rather than stuffing (see PVC). ... The Shih Tzu (traditional Chinese: ; simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Shih-tzu Kou; literally Lion Dog), in English pronounced shee tsoo), is a dog breed which originated in China. ... Genera Mesocricetus Phodopus Cricetus Cricetulus Allocricetulus Cansumys Tscherskia Hamsters are rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae. ...

Career

Early career

When Arakawa was 5 years old, she became interested in skating and entered the Chibikko Skate School.

She started ballet lessons at 7. At 7, Arakawa had begun training with former Olympian Hiroshi Nagakubo, a pair skater who competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan. She was landing triple-jump salchows at age 8. Hiroshi Nagakubo (長久保裕; Nagakubo Hiroshi) (born December 14, 1946) is a Japanese retired pair skater who now works as a coach. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Sapporo scene Sapporo White Illumination Sapporo (札幌市; -shi) is the fifth-largest city in Japan and it is the capital of Hokkaido Prefecture. ...

In 1994, she began participating in Japanese national skating competitions. She was named the 1994, 1995, 1996 All Japan Junior Figure athlete. Arakawa progressed through the Japanese ranks quickly and was the first skater in Japan to win three consecutive junior national titles.

Senior career

Arakawa performs a donut spin at the 2003 Skate Canada International.

Arakawa was the senior national Japanese champion in both 1998 and 1999. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The Skate Canada International is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition. ...

Arakawa made her Olympic debut when she represented Japan in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano at age 16. The Emperor and Empress of Japan attended the ladies' free skate event. She placed 13th at the Nagano Olympics. At this time, she was ranked number 2 in Japan. The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, were celebrated in 1998 in Nagano, Japan. ... Categories: Host cities of the Winter Olympic Games | Cities in Nagano Prefecture | Japan geography stubs ... An emperorrefers to Nick Herringshaw, a title, empress may only indicate the wife of an emperor (empress consort. ... Emperor is also a Norwegian black metal band; see Emperor (band). ...

In 2002, Arakawa finished second at Japan's national championships and as a result was not named to the Japanese 2002 Winter Olympics team.

During the 2002-2003 skating season, Arakawa won the Asian Winter Games and the Winter Universiade. She took her second consecutive silver medal at the Four Continents Championships. She finished fourth at the ISU Grand Prix Final and she took the bronze at the NHK Trophy. She placed fifth at the Cup of Russia. She also finished third at the Japanese Nationals, marking her fifth medal from this meet to go with two golds and two silvers from previous seasons. Categories: | ... The Universiade is an International multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). ... Category: ... The Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, originally called the Champions Series Final until 1998, is an elite figure skating competition event. ... The NHK Trophy is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition. ... The Cup of Russia, or ISU Grand Prix Cup of Russia, is an event in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. ...

In 2004, she won the 2004 World Championships in Dortmund, Germany, after landing seven clean triple jumps She is the third Japanese woman to win this title after Midori Ito who won in 1989 and Yuka Sato in 1994. The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual event sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. ... Dortmund is a city in Germany, located in the Bundesland of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Ruhr area. ... Midori Ito ) (born August 13, 1969) is a former Japanese figure skater. ... Yuka Sato Yuka Sato (佐藤有香; Satō Yūka, born February 14, 1973 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese figure skater. ...

Arakawa had planned to retire after the 2004 World Championships, but her victory there convinced her to change her plans. She struggled with a foot injury, homesickness and motivation. She was also beginning to trail behind younger Japanese competitors like Miki Ando and Mao Asada. Miki Ando (Japanese: , Andō Miki) (born on December 18, 1987 in Nagoya, Japan) is a Japanese figure skater, and the 2007 World Figure Skating Champion. ... Mao Asada , born September 25, 1990 in Nagoya, Japan) is a Japanese figure skater. ...

Her 9th place finish at the 2005 World Championships was the motivation she needed to stay in the sport and regain top form. She felt she could not quit on such a down note. In November 2005, Arakawa called Belarus figure skater Nikolai Morozov and asked if he would consider coaching her. He agreed.

2006 Winter Olympics

At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Arakawa was in third place behind Sasha Cohen (trailing Cohen by only a point) and Irina Slutskaya after the short program. Arakawa skated to Fantasie Impromptu by Chopin for her short program. Although Cohen and Slutskaya were the heavy favorites for the gold medal, both fell during the long program. Neve and Gliz, the 2006 Olympics mascots, on display in Turin The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, were celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. ... For other uses, see Turin (disambiguation). ... This article is about the figure skater. ... Irina Eduardovna Slutskaya (Russian: ) (born February 9, 1979) is a Russian figure skater. ... Chopin redirects here. ...

Arakawa skated to Puccini's Violin Fantasy of Turandot for her long program. One of the most highlights of the program was when she performed an Ina Bauer and then did a three jump combination. "Ina Bauer" became a household word in Japan as a result. Arakawa skated a clean free-skate program, with no falls. Although she had planned a triple-triple combination for the free skate, she did not perform it. She changed it into a triple salchow-double toe loop combination. Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini (December 22, 1858 – November 29, 1924) was an Italian composer whose operas, including La bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly, are among the most frequently performed in the standard repertoire. ... Patricia Neske performing an Ina Bauer. ...

Her free skate earned 191.34 points, almost eight points ahead of the second-place Cohen (183.36), earning her the gold medal. Slutskaya was third at 181.44.

Arakawa's Olympic win was the first in the event for a Japanese skater. Her gold medal gave Japan its first and only medal of the 2006 Winter Olympics, and she became just the second Japanese woman to win a Winter Olympic gold. At age 24, Arakawa is the oldest women's Olympic skating champion in more than 80 years. Florence "Madge" Cave Syers from the United Kingdom was the oldest when she won the Olympic title at age 27 at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom which featured the first Olympic figure skating events^{[citation needed]}. Arakawa also was the second Japanese woman to win a figure skating Olympic medal of any kind, after Midori Ito. Arakawa is the second Japanese woman to win a Winter Olympic gold, after Tae Satoya. Neve and Gliz, the 2006 Olympics mascots, on display in Turin The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, were celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. ... Florence Madeleine Madge Syers (born Cave) (1881-September 1917) was a British figure skater. ... The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IV Olympiad, were held in 1908 in London, England. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Midori Ito ) (born August 13, 1969) is a former Japanese figure skater. ... Tae Satoya , born on June 12, 1976 in Sapporo, Japan) is a Japanese freestyle skier. ...

After winning her Olympic title, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi called Arakawa in Turin, Italy to congratulate her. Koizumi said, "I cheered for you with excitement while I watched television. All the Japanese people are rejoicing. I give a perfect score to every bit of your performance."^{[citation needed]}. Junichiro Koizumi , born January 8, 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2001 to 2006. ... For other uses, see Turin (disambiguation). ...

Professional career

Arakawa continues to skate in exhibition programs and is a regular skating commentator for Japanese TV. She competed in the 2006 Ice Wars on the World team. Ice Wars is an annual elite figure skating team competition. ...

In 2006, Arakawa appeared in a Japanese TV drama, Shichinin no onna bengoshi (7 female lawyers), presented by Asahi TV. She played the role of a cool public prosecutor, Yayoi Shimasaki for the 8th episode. Categories: Tokyo | Television networks | Japanese television | Companies traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange | Japan-related stubs ... Look up Cool in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Signature moves

Arakawa performs a spiral in 2004.

At 5 feet 6 inches, Arakawa is one of the tallest ladies' skaters^{[citation needed]} and is known for her spins and jumping ability, particularly her difficult triple-triple combinations. Arakawa is also able to do triple-triple-triple combinations--she did a triple salchow-triple toe-triple loop while practicing at the 2006 Olympics. In 2004, she added a Biellmann spin to her repertoire. She is known also for exceptional skating quality, seemingly effortless cross overs, and gaining speed with ease. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Biellmann spin, by Lucinda Ruh The Biellmann spin is a figure skating move in which the skater executes a one-foot spin while holding the other foot extended over their head and behind them, with both hands. ...

Arakawa is also known for her spirals. Her signature spiral is a "Y-spiral" where she releases her free leg and completes the spiral with her leg still close to her head, without the hand assist.

Her trademark move is the Ina Bauer. Arakawa's interpretation of this move putting her in a full backbend. Due to Arakawa's use of this move during her free skate at the 2006 Olympics, the term "Ina Bauer" became very popular in Japan, and Arakawa's performance of it became iconic. The term Ina Bauer is often referred to in Japan by Arakawa's name. Patricia Neske performing an Ina Bauer. ...

Programs

Competitive highlights

Post-2000

A runner carries the Olympic torch The Winter Olympic Games, Winter Olympics for short but more correctly The Olympic Winter Games, are the cold-weather counterpart to the Summer Olympic Games. ... The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual event sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. ... The Four Continents Figure Skating Championships is an annual competition in figure skating. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This is the complete list of Winter Asian Games medalists in Figure skating from 1986 to 2007. ... For the 2007-2008 competition, see 2007-2008 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. ... The Cup of China, or ISU Grand Prix Cup of China, is an event in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. ... Trophée Eric Bompard is an annual elite figure skating competition which takes place in Paris, France. ... The Cup of Russia, or ISU Grand Prix Cup of Russia, is an event in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. ... The NHK Trophy is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition. ... For the 2007 competition, see 2007 Skate America. ... The Skate Canada International is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition. ...

Pre-2000

• N = Novice level; WD = Withdrew

A runner carries the Olympic torch The Winter Olympic Games, Winter Olympics for short but more correctly The Olympic Winter Games, are the cold-weather counterpart to the Summer Olympic Games. ... The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual event sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. ... The Four Continents Figure Skating Championships is an annual competition in figure skating. ... The World Junior Figure Skating Championships (official nickname: World Juniors; commonly: Junior Worlds) is an annual event sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which younger figure skaters compete for the title of World Junior Champion. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Japan Junior Figure Skating Championships () is held annually to determine the Japanese figure skating junior title. ... This is the complete list of Winter Asian Games medalists in Figure skating from 1986 to 2007. ... For the 2007 competition, see 2007 Skate America. ... The Bofrost Cup on Ice (previously Sparkassen Cup and Nations Cup) is a German figure skating competition. ... The NHK Trophy is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition. ... The Nebelhorn Trophy is an international senior-level figure skating competition organized by the Deutsche Eislauf-Union and held annually in Oberstdorf, Germany. ... The Triglav Trophy is an annual international figure skating competition held in the spring in Jesenice, Slovenia. ...

References

• The Advertiser. (2006). Arakawa stuns stars on ice. Retrieved February 25, 2006, from http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,18257422%5E23218,00.html

• International Skating Union. (2006). Shizuka Arakawa's statistics. Retrieved February 24, 2006, from http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00000324.htm

• Knapp, G. (2006). A golden princess: Quiet deserving winner. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 25, 2006, from http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/25/KNAPP.TMP

• Zinser, L. (2006). A night of nerves is settled on a turn of elegance. New York Times. Retrieved February 24, 2006 from http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/24/sports/olympics/24skate.html?ex=1298437200&en=7eccc04dddd31e3c&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

• Ziegler M. (2006). Losing her feat. San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved February 24, 2006, from http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060224/news_lz1x24losing.html

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Shizuka Arakawa

• Shizuka-Arakawa.com(Japanese)
• International Skating Center of Connecticut in Simsbury
• Shizuka Arakawa at the International Skating Union biography page
• Japan Skates - Website dedicated to the Japanese ladies figure skating team featuring news, rare photos and exclusive interviews

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The International Skating Union (ISU) is the international governing body for competitive ice skating disciplines, including figure skating, synchronized skating, speed skating, and short track speed skating. ...

See also

• Japan at the 2006 Winter Olympics
• Midori Ito (first Japanese woman to earn a figure skating medal in the Olympics)
• Tae Satoya (first Japanese woman to earn a gold medal in the Winter Olympics)

Flag of Japan Japan has sent 113 athletes to compete in the Winter Olympics in 2006, held in Torino, Italy. ... Midori Ito ) (born August 13, 1969) is a former Japanese figure skater. ... Tae Satoya , born on June 12, 1976 in Sapporo, Japan) is a Japanese freestyle skier. ...

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