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Michelle Kwan

by Bianca from Montvale


Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be a hero? I think Michelle Kwan, a figure skater, is a hero. Her grace and beauty on the ice is such an inspiration to me, especially because I'm a figure skater. I hope I can skate just as beautiful as she can when I'm older. Michelle has so much potential and always strives to do her best.

Michelle began skating at the age of five. She improved quickly and found herself being coached by Frank Carroll. He is one of the most well-known coaches in figure skating today. Michelle practiced day after day for hours. She had soon won both Nationals and Worlds and proved that she was worthy of being a top skater. In the 1997 World Championships Michelle didn't do well and found herself behind the new comer Tara Lipinski. At the 1998 Olympics Michelle skated a spectacular short program, which is two minutes and 30 seconds. However she tensed up in her long program and again finished behind Tara, leaving her with the silver medal

After the Olympics in 1998 Michelle stayed amateur so she could fight for the gold medal she deserved. She soon finished the season winning all of her competitions and regaing the world title. In 2000 she won both Skate Canada and Skate America, which were two prestigous competitions. Then at Nationals she was behind a great skater named Sasha Cohen. Although, she was behind her she came back and won her fourth National title. Michelle was very excited and her coach was proud of her.

Recently, she has split of with her coach Frank Carroll. She says that she is more independent now and capable of doing things on her own. Michelle knows it's ok to make mistakes and that she's no a machine. I highly admire her for this. After splitting up with her coach she did the same with her choreographer. She wanted to do things differently on the ice. I think that Michelle has to be so much stronger than her competitors mentally to be without her coach.

In conclusion Michelle Kwan is a person you can look up to for all her astonishing achievements. One reason is because of all the time and effort she puts into her sport. Another is that she never gives up hope and always trys to do her best. Michelle Kwan has come so far in her life and is now competing for the gold at the Olympics. She has currently won her sixth U.S. title and is excited to be going to the Olympics this February 2002. I think Michelle deserved the spot on the U.S. team. She must be determined to go for the gold at the Olympics and I hope she does.

Page created on 2/8/2002 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 2/8/2002 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.