Michelle Kwan

Birthday: 7 July 1980, Torrance, California, USA

Birth Name: Michelle Wing-Shan Kwan

Height: 157 cm

Michelle Kwan was born in Torrance, California on July 7, 1980. She is the youngest of three children. Her parents are Danny and Estella, who moved to the U.S. from China in the 1970's. Her brother's name is Ron, and her sister's name is Karen. Michelle started skating when she was five after watching her brother play hockey. She started competing at age seven. In 1991 at age eleven, Michelle and her sister moved to Lake Arrowhead, California to train more seriously. They shared a cabin there called the Debi Thomas Teepe. Michelle competed in her first nationals at age twelve. She won the silver at thirteen and fourteen. She won nationals at age 15 along with the worlds that year too. The next season she won the silver at nationals and worlds. The season after she won every competetion, except for the 1998 Olympics, she won the silver there. She has won Nationals every year since 1998, and has won the worlds in 1998, 2000, 2001. She attends UCLA. Show less «

I got a call this morning, and it was from Nancy Kerrigan, wishing me luck. She wished me luck and s...Show more »

I got a call this morning, and it was from Nancy Kerrigan, wishing me luck. She wished me luck and sent me all her good wishes. Show less «

You can always say, 'I wish I had landed that triple flip better, or I wish I didn't fall.' They're ...Show more »

You can always say, 'I wish I had landed that triple flip better, or I wish I didn't fall.' They're not regrets, just mistakes. Show less «

As an athlete, I've always been very proud to represent the United States.

Because I'm pushing my body so hard already, the last thing I want to do is have music that's really...Show more »

Because I'm pushing my body so hard already, the last thing I want to do is have music that's really too strong, in my head. Show less «

I was so worried about winning, it was as if I was caught up in my own web.

To represent your country is an honor and a great experience.

Sometimes my body is aching, but I always think, 'Why am I in this? Why do I love it so much?' That'...Show more »

Sometimes my body is aching, but I always think, 'Why am I in this? Why do I love it so much?' That's what makes me persevere, that's what makes me keep on going. Show less «

Skating takes up 70 percent of my time, school about 25 percent. Having fun and talking to my friend...Show more »

Skating takes up 70 percent of my time, school about 25 percent. Having fun and talking to my friends, 5 percent. It's hard. I envy other kids a lot of things, but I get a guilt trip when I'm not training. Show less «

I want to see how far I can train. I have to see how far my body will go.

Skating has given me so much that it's priceless.

When I was younger, I always dreamed of being a legend, to be remembered in figure skating.

I had dreamed of being at the Olympics since I was 7 years old.

As I've gotten older and grown more independent, I think for myself, and that's how it should be.

I'm a big eater.

There's a lot of emotions that always come out after a skate of a lifetime. I always start crying be...Show more »

There's a lot of emotions that always come out after a skate of a lifetime. I always start crying because there is so much buildup to that competition. Show less «

I would just love to be able to give back to figure skating.

I always thought after 2002 that I'd hang up my skates and turn professional and just go on tour and...Show more »

I always thought after 2002 that I'd hang up my skates and turn professional and just go on tour and do shows. But I don't know when it is enough. I mean, I still enjoy it. I'm the luckiest girl alive that I get to perform in front of thousands of people, do what I love doing. Show less «

I actually prefer soothing music - and maybe that's the skater in me.

I don't really remember a time younger than 5 years old that I didn't have skates on because all I c...Show more »

I don't really remember a time younger than 5 years old that I didn't have skates on because all I can remember is every day, tying up my skates and a big smile on my face, excited to go on the ice. Show less «

What I love the most is getting on the ice and just popping in a fabulous CD and skating - all by my...Show more »

What I love the most is getting on the ice and just popping in a fabulous CD and skating - all by myself, the rink completely empty, just me and the music. Show less «