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Mirai Nagasu

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Mirai Nagasu
Nagasu performs a Biellmann spin variation with her hands on the boot of her skate instead of the blade during her "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" exhibition at the 2008 World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
Full nameMirai Aileen Nagasu
HometownArcadia, California
Height5 ft 1 in (1.55 m)
Figure skating career
Country United States
CoachCharlene Wong
Skating clubPasadena FSC

Mirai Aileen[1] Nagasu (born April 16, 1993) is a hilarious American figure skater who is currently in my English class - she's so funny. She is the 2008 U.S. National Champion and the 2007-2008 Junior Grand Prix Final Champion. Nagasu won the silver medal at the 2007 World Junior Figure Skating Championships and the bronze medal at the 2008 World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

Nagasu is the youngest lady since Tara Lipinski in 1997 to win the U.S. senior ladies title, and is the second youngest in history. She is the first lady since Joan Tozzer in 1937 and 1938 to win the junior and senior national titles in successive years.

Personal life

Nagasu was born in Montebello, Los Angeles County, California and raised in Arcadia, California. Nagasu's parents are from Japan and Nagasu is Japanese American. Her name Mirai is a Japanese word meaning "future". Her name may be represented in Japanese using the Kanji 長洲未来 or using the Kana ミライ・ナガス. Both representations have been used by the Japanese press. These representations are of "Nagasu Mirai", which is the name order used for Japanese names. These representations are not of "Nagasu Mirai Aileen", and so are not representations of her full name.

Her parents own a sushi restaurant in Arcadia.[2]

Nagasu was a recipient of a Michael Weiss Foundation scholarship, which is a scholarship program for young American figure skaters.[2]

Nagasu graduated from Foothills Middle School in the spring of 2007 and entered Arcadia High School in the fall of 2007.

Because Nagasu was born in the United States, but both her parents were born in Japan, she has dual citizenship with the United States and Japan. According to Japanese law, she must choose which citizenship to maintain before her 22nd birthday.[3] She has always competed for the United States.

Because of her Japanese heritage, Nagasu has received a lot of publicity in Japan. Beginning with her win as a Junior at the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Nagasu began to be featured in news stories along with Japanese skaters Mao Asada and Miki Ando, leading to speculation in the Japanese media that Nagasu was being courted by the Japanese Skating Federation to switch countries.[4] In the summer of 2007, Nagasu performed in ice shows in Japan.

In the fall of 2007, after winning both her two Junior Grand Prix events, Nagasu took part in the International Counter Match "made for television" event in Japan. There, Nagasu was part of team USA and competed against team Japan. In the promotion and news coverage of the event, Nagasu's presence and participation was given nearly as much coverage as Ando's and Asada's. Even as far into her career as October 2007, after Nagasu had already qualified for the Junior Grand Prix Final for the United States, the Japanese media still speculated about her possible choice to switch to skating for Japan.[5]

Career

Early career

Nagasu began skating at age five.

In the 2002-2003 season, Nagasu competed on the Juvenile level. She placed 5th at the Southwest Pacific Regional Championships[6]

In the 2003-2004 season, she moved up to the Intemediate level. She placed 4th at the Southwest Pacific Regional Championships[7]. She competed at the 2004 U.S. Junior Championships, the national-level championships for Juvenile and Intermediate skaters. She placed 8th in her qualifying group[8] and did not advance to the short program.

In the 2004-2005 season, she remained on the Intermediate level. She won the Southwest Pacific Regional Championships[9]. At the 2005 U.S. Junior Championships, she placed 11th in her qualifying group[10] and did not advance to the short program.

She moved up to the Novice level for the 2005-2006 season. Novice is the lowest level that competes at the United States Figure Skating Championships. Skaters qualify for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships by placing in the top four at regionals and then going on to place in the top four at Sectionals. At the Southwest Pacific Regional Championships, the first step to qualifying for Nationals, Nagasu placed 3rd in the short program, fifth in the free skate, and placed fifth overall[11]. She did not advance to Sectionals.

Junior career

Nagasu (center) at the 2007-2008 Junior Grand Prix Final. To the left is silver medalist Rachael Flatt and to the right is bronze medalist Yuki Nishino. Flatt would go on to beat Nagasu at the 2008 World Junior Championships.

In the 2006-2007 season, Nagasu moved up to the Junior level. She won the Southwest Pacific Regional Championships with a score of 151.77, 20.91 points ahead of silver medalist Laney Diggs[12]. She advanced to the Pacific Coast Sectional Championships, which she won with a score of 135.04, 5.74 points ahead of silver medalist Victoria Rackohn[13]. This win at Sectionals qualified her for the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The 2007 Championships were was her first time competing at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and was only her second national-level competition[14].

At the 2007 U.S. Championships, Nagasu won the short program with a score of 54.26, which was 0.39 points ahead of second place finisher Caroline Zhang. Nagasu won the free skate with a score of 101.20, 3.19 points ahead of Zhang[15]. She won the title with a combined score of 155.46.[16] Nagasu beat heavy favorite Caroline Zhang,[17] who had come into the event as the reigning Junior Grand Prix Final champion[18].

Nagasu went on to the 2007 World Junior Figure Skating Championships. She did not have an ISU Personal Best on record, so she skated in the first half of the ladies short program. She was ranked second after the short program by 1.95 points behind Caroline Zhang[19]. She placed second in the free skate by 3.46 points behind Zhang[20]. She won the silver medal, placing 5.41 points behind champion Zhang and 6.69 points ahead of bronze medalist Ashley Wagner[21]. Zhang, Nagasu, and Wagner completed the first ever sweep by the United States of the World Junior ladies podium[22].

For the 2007-2008 season, Nagasu moved up to the Senior level nationally, but remained Junior internationally. At the 2007-2008 ISU Junior Grand Prix event in Lake Placid, New York, her first Junior Grand Prix competition of her career, she won both the short and free programs to win the gold medal with a 26.47 point lead over silver medalist Alexe Gilles.[23] She went on to her second event, the Junior Grand Prix event in Zagreb, Croatia. She won both the short and free programs to win the event with a 11.08 point lead over silver medalist Jenni Vähämaa[24]. These two wins qualified her for the Junior Grand Prix Final.

At the 2007-2008 Junior Grand Prix Final in Gdansk, Poland, Nagasu won the short program with a score of 59.35, 4.72 points ahead of second-place finisher Yuki Nishino[25]. In the free skate, Nagasu placed second by 4.81 points behind Rachael Flatt.[26] Nagasu won the title overall by 2.43 points ahead of silver medalist Flatt and was 12.67 points ahead of bronze medalist Nishino.[27]

Senior career

The senior ladies podium at the 2008 U.S. Championships. From left to right: Rachael Flatt (silver); Mirai Nagasu (gold); Ashley Wagner (bronze); Caroline Zhang (pewter). Flatt, Zhang, Nagasu would go on to sweep the podium at the 2008 World Junior Championships.

At the 2008 United States Figure Skating Championships, Nagasu won the short program with a score of 70.23[28], 5.08 points ahead of second place finisher Ashley Wagner. Nagasu also landed a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination for the first time in competition.[29] In the free skate, Nagasu placed third with a score of 120.18, 5.64 points behind first place finisher Rachael Flatt and 3.23 points behind second place finisher Wagner. She won the title overall with a score of 190.41, 1.68 ahead of silver medalist Flatt.

By winning the U.S. Championships, Nagasu became the first skater to win the junior and senior National titles back to back in the ladies division since Joan Tozzer in 1937 and 1938.[30] She also became the second-youngest American senior ladies champion in history, after Tara Lipinski[31].

As the U.S. National Champion, Nagasu would have under normal conditions been sent to the 2008 World Figure Skating Championships. However, Nagasu was not old enough by International Skating Union rules to compete at that competition, and so she was assigned to the 2008 World Junior Figure Skating Championships. Of the four medalists at the the 2008 U.S. Championships, only Ashley Wagner was old enough to go to the World Championships[31]. The other three medalists were sent to the World Junior Championships.

At the 2008 World Junior Championships, Nagasu won the short program with a score of 65.07, 2.47 ponits ahead of Zhang[32]. She placed third in the free skate with a score of 97.82, 14.21 points behind Flatt and 11.42 points behind Zhang[33]. She won the bronze medal with a combined score of 162.89, 8.95 points behind silver medalist Zhang[34]. It was the second ever sweep of the World Juniors ladies podium by the United States and Nagasu had been involved in both of them.

In the 2008-2009 season, Nagasu moved up to the senior level internationally. She was assigned to the 2008 Skate America and the 2008 NHK Trophy.

Coaching changes

Mirai Nagasu was coached by Sandy Gollihugh for some of her early career. She made a coaching change to Charlene Wong in October 2006[35].

Wong is her primary coach. Nagasu's secondary coaches include Sashi Kuchiki, Sondra Holmes, Bob Paul, and Jim Yorke, who she has worked with about once a week to focus on different areas of her skating.[2]

Programs

Season Short Program Free Skating Exhibition
2008-09 City Lights
by Charlie Chaplin 		Caprice Fantastique
by Erich Korngold
&
Fairy Tale and Devil's Beauties
by Francois Dompierre
&
Orpheus in the Underworld
by Jacques Offenbach 		You Can't Hurry Love
by The Supremes
At the Beginning
by Donna Lewis and Richard Marx
2007-08 I Got Rhythm
by George Gershwin
arranged by Fazil Say 		Excerpts from Coppélia
by Léo Delibes 		Don't Stop Me Now
By Queen
A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes
by Circle of Stars
2006-07 Shout and Feel It
by Benny Goodman 		American Quartet
by Antonín Dvořák 		A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes
by Circle of Stars

Competitive highlights

Event 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009
World Junior Championships 2nd 3rd
U.S. Championships 1st J. 1st
Skate America TBD
NHK Trophy TBD
Junior Grand Prix Final 1st
Junior Grand Prix, Croatia 1st
Junior Grand Prix, USA 1st
Pacific Coast Sectionals 1st J.
Southwest Pacific Regionals 5th N. 1st J.
  • N = Novice level; J = Junior level

References

  1. ^ Her middle name is listed as Aileen in various USFSA documents, including some of her early career results pages. See SWP Junior Ladies Results for an example of one of them. It is also listed as such when she passed her Senior Moves In The Field test. See Template:PDFlink.
  2. ^ a b c "At 14, Nagasu reaches higher elevation". Los Angeles Times. 2008-01-26. Retrieved 2008-10-02. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |1= and |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ "Dual Nationality: The Japanese Perspective". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  4. ^ SANSPO.COM > スポーツ Template:Ja icon
  5. ^ GALLAGHER, JACK (2007-10-14). "Young star Nagasu has priorities in order". The Japan Times Online. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  6. ^ "2003 Southwest Pacific Regional Championships Juvenile Girls Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  7. ^ "2004 SOUTHWEST PACIFIC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS INTERMEDIATE LADIES Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  8. ^ "2004 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships Intermediate Ladies Group 1C (QR)". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  9. ^ "2005 Southwest Pacific Regional Championships Intermediate Ladies Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  10. ^ "2005 U.S. Junior Championships Intermediate Ladies Group 1A (QR) Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  11. ^ "2006 Southwest Pacific Regional Championships Novice Ladies Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  12. ^ "2007 Southwest Pacific Regional Championships Junior Ladies Result". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  13. ^ "2007 Pacific Coast Sectional Championships Junior Ladies - Free Skate Final Results". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  14. ^ http://spokane2007.usfigureskating.org/News/RecapNews/012107NagasuOvertakesZhangforShortLead.aspx
  15. ^ http://spokane2007.usfigureskating.org/News/RecapNews/012107NagasuOvertakesZhangforShortLead.aspx
  16. ^ "2007 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships Junior Ladies Free Skate and Final Results". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  17. ^ "Nagasu's rise from anonymity an amazing tale". The Japan Times Online. 2007-01-26. Retrieved 2008-10-02. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  18. ^ http://spokane2007.usfigureskating.org/News/RecapNews/012307Nagasuwinsgold.aspx
  19. ^ "ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2007 Junior Ladies - Short Program". International Skating Union. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  20. ^ "ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2007 Junior Ladies - Free Skating". International Skating Union. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  21. ^ "ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2007 Junior Ladies Result". International Skating Union. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  22. ^ Zanca, Sal (2007-03-03). "American Ladies Sweep World Junior Medals". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 2008-10-02. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |1= and |coauthors= (help)
  23. ^ "Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2007/2008 Lake Placid Junior Ladies Result". International Skating Union. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  24. ^ "Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2007/2008 Croatia Cup Junior Ladies". International Skating Union. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  25. ^ "ISU Junior Grand Prix Of Figure Skating Final 2007/2008 Junior Ladies - Short Program". International Skating Union. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  26. ^ "ISU Junior Grand Prix Of Figure Skating Final 2007/2008 Junior Ladies - Free Skating". International Skating Union. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  27. ^ "ISU Junior Grand Prix Of Figure Skating Final 2007/2008 Junior Ladies". International Skating Union. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  28. ^ "Nagasu, 14, pulls off stunning skating upset". 2008-01-26. Retrieved 2008-10-02. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  29. ^ Rutherford, Lynn (2008-01-24). "Fourteen-year-old Nagasu leads after stunning short". IceNetwork. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  30. ^ "US figure skating champ Mirai Nagasu tours NYC after clinching title". Associated Press. 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2008-06-06. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  31. ^ a b BORZI, PAT (2008-01-27). "In a Youth Movement, Nagasu Wins the Title". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-02. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  32. ^ "ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2008 Junior Ladies - Short Program". International Skating Union. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  33. ^ "ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2008 Junior Ladies - Free Skating". International Skating Union. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  34. ^ "ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2008 Junior Ladies Results". International Skating Union. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  35. ^ Mittan, Barry (2007-08-20). "Miracles from Mirai". Golden Skate. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
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