Every four years the world gets excited again about my favorite sport, figure skating. This sport has something for everyone: athleticism, music, choreography, and fabulous (or not so fabulous) outfits. Just this past week, the United States won the bronze medal in the Team event behind Russia and Canada and the individual events have just started. Here are some amazing athletes you should keep an eye out for:
Polina Edmunds (United States)
I’m a little biased. Polina is from my home rink. I haven’t seen her since she was like, 7 years old, but I’m super proud that she’s representing my hometown. She’s 15 but don’t let that fool you. She is giving all the other adults a run for their money and has the most technically difficult routine out of all the ladies on the U.S. team with ballet training to top it off.
Yulia Lipnitskaya (Russia)
If you were for some reason living under a rock during the team event, let me tell you. HOLY MOLY. Yulia is a flexible jumping powerhouse that will make your jaw drop and maybe make you feel internal pain after seeing some of her spin positions. She’ll throw in some amazing flexible footwork that hasn’t been seen anywhere else. Though unlike Polina, she still moves a little awkwardly (she IS 15), but wait till the next Olympics and she’ll be deadly.
Yu-Na Kim (South Korea)
2010 Olympic Champion and 2013 World Champion, Queen Yuna has no fear to try and take gold again this year. She has a consistency that keeps her on top of rivals like Mao Asada of Japan and her skating will always charm her audience. She is beloved by her country and has tried to add to her stardom with a singing career. It is definitely thanks to her that South Korea will be hosting the 2018 Olympics.
Patrick Chan (Canada)
He is Canada’s sweetheart and the former 2013 World Champion. This is his second trip to the Olympics and everyone anticipates him to win gold, if not a medal. Though he didn’t fare too well during the team event due to nerves, he’s probably one of my favorite graceful male skaters at the moment… and his Twitter handle is @pchiddy. If that isn’t adorable, I don’t know what is.
Evgeni Plushenko (Russia)
I think in 2010 Russia had Evgeni cryogenically frozen and then thawed him out for this year’s Winter Games. At age 31 and after multiple back and knee surgeries, this is his fourth and last Olympics and he’s not leaving without a bang. Evgeni has had some of the greatest footwork sequences known to man and he won’t disappoint. Who else would combine all his best past routines and call it “The Best of Evgeni Plushenko”?
Yuzuru Hanyu (Japan)
He wowed judges in the Team Event with a phenomenal short program and gave the entire world a wake up call. Even though he’s only 19, he moves with a “reckless abandon” that has so much confidence. It’s captivating to watch his rock star attitude in his short program, adding sweet choreography to make it look like he’s not trying. He might be the dark horse for gold.
Any skater could be the winner, but who is your favorite to win the gold?