Born: 1969 (Nagoya, Japan)
Biography:
Midori Ito (伊藤みどり, Itō Midori, born 13 August 1969) is a retired Japanese figure skater. She is widely recognized as one of the best figure skaters of all time. Ito broke new ground in the sport with her extraordinary athleticism and was the first woman to land a triple-triple jump combination and a triple Axel in competition.
Ito’s passion for figure skating began at the age of four when she started skating at a rink in Nagoya. On that very day, she approached Machiko Yamada, who would become her coach throughout her career. Ito’s prodigious talent became evident when she landed her first triple jump at the tender age of eight.
At the age of 10, Ito faced a difficult family situation as her parents divorced. She then made the decision to live with her coach, Yamada, which provided her with the stability and support needed to pursue her figure skating dreams.
Ito made her debut on the international stage at the 1981 World Junior Championships. Despite being just 11 years old and measuring 3’11 tall, she astounded the audience with her powerful jumps and skated her way to victory in the free skating portion of the competition. While she placed 20th in the compulsory figures, her exceptional performance earned her an overall 8th place finish.
Due to her diminutive size and remarkable jumping ability, Ito was affectionately nicknamed the Jumping Flea. Her talent continued to shine at the 1982 World Junior Championships, where she clinched the top spot in both the short program and the free skating. Although she missed the podium due to weak compulsory figures, Ito’s free skating routine showcased impressive elements such as a triple flip, a triple toe loop-triple toe loop combination, and even a triple Lutz in the exhibition.
Unfortunately, Ito was unable to compete at the 1983 World Junior Championships due to a broken ankle sustained earlier that year. However, she quickly rebounded and made her senior international debut at the Ennia Challenge Cup in the Netherlands in the fall of 1983. Despite finishing second to the legendary Katarina Witt, Ito’s performance demonstrated her exceptional skills, including six triple jumps in her free skating routine and a double loop-triple loop combination in the short program.
Ito’s promising career continued to blossom at the 1984 World Junior Championships, where she once again claimed victory in the short program and free skating. However, a low placement in the compulsory figures prevented her from clinching the overall title, and she finished in third place. That same year, Ito made her mark on the senior stage by competing in the World Championships, where she finished an impressive 7th.
In the 1985 season, Ito secured her first national championship title. However, tragedy struck again as she broke her ankle once more, preventing her from competing at that year’s World Championships. Despite these setbacks, Ito demonstrated incredible resilience and pushed herself further, increasing the number of triple jumps in her free skating routines.
Ito’s hard work paid off in 1989 when she became the World champion, captivating audiences with her grace, precision, and formidable jumping ability. She solidified her place in figure skating history by making history at the 1988 Calgary Olympics, becoming the first woman to land seven triple jumps in an Olympic free skating competition.
The pinnacle of Ito’s career came at the 1992 Olympics, where she won the silver medal. Her awe-inspiring performance, which included her signature triple Axel, left a lasting impression on both judges and fans alike. To this day, she remains an iconic figure skater, inspiring future generations with her extraordinary talent and groundbreaking achievements.
Awards:
– 1989 World champion
– 1992 Olympic silver medalist