When the nominations for the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Class of 2012 came out in early December, it would have been foolish to think that Michelle Kwan would not be elected by the committee. Kwan is still one of the most recognizable names in figure skating, having amassed nine U.S. titles, five World titles, and two Olympic medals. U.S. Figure Skating announced that she was officially named to the Hall of Fame today.
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WATCH: Kwan 1998 Olympics short program
Kwan was among the nine people who were nominated, but she was the only one to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. She was the most dominating figure in ladies' skating during her prime, finishing no lower than third in 42 consecutive competitions between 1995 and 2005, winning 28 of those competitions.
PHOTOS: Kwan from 2002-2005
Her accollades speak for themselves:
- Olympic Games - 1 Silver (1998), 1 Bronze (2002)
- World Championships - 5 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze
- U.S. Championships - 9 Gold, 3 Silver
- World Junior Championships - 1 Gold
"Throughout my competitive career, it was always important to me to be a worthy representative of American figure skating and to bring honor to my sport and my country," Kwan said. "There can be no greater honor than to be elected to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. I am proud and humbled to become its newest member."
"Michelle Kwan is most deserving of this honor," Larry Mondschein, U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Chair of Nominating Committee, said. "She was the greatest female figure skater of her generation and continues to be a role model today both on and off the ice. The induction ceremony in San Jose will be a fitting tribute to Michelle's many contributions to our sport as this was where she won her first of nine U.S. titles."
Kwan's induction will take place during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, taking place in San Jose, California, in late January.
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