Yuko Kawaguchi with partner Smirnov at the 2009 World Championships Gala.
Yuko Kawaguchi (also: Kavaguti; born November 20, 1981 in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese-Russian pair skater, who has represented Japan, the USA, and Russia in international competition. She currently competes with Alexander Smirnov, representing Russia. They are the 2008 & 2009 Russian Champions, the 2009 European silver medalists, and the 2009 World Bronze Medalists.
Biography[]
Kawaguchi previously competed as a singles skater for Japan, then switched to pairs and skated with Alexander Markuntsov. They teamed up in 1999, and were the first Japanese pair team to medal at an ISU championships, which they did at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships in 2001.
Kawaguchi and Markuntsov broke up in 2003 and Kawaguchi then skated with Devin Patrick for the United States, with whom she competed twice at the United States Figure Skating Championships. She teamed up with Alexander Smirnov in the spring of 2006 and now competes with him, representing Russia. The pair are coached by Tamara Moskvina.
She is fluent in Russian and English. She attended university in Saint Petersburg and studied international politics. In December 2008,[1] she acquired Russian nationality to earn an Olympic berth.[2]
| Season | Short Program | Free Skating |
|---|---|---|
| 2008-2009 | The Swan by Camille Saint-Saëns |
I Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo |
| 2007-2008 | Introduction and Rondo capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saëns |
Love Story Soundtrack by Francis Lai |
| 2006-2007 | Introduction and Rondo capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saëns |
Piano Concerto by Camille Saint-Saëns Bachianas Brasileiras by Heitor Villa-Lobos Van Helsing Soundtrack by Alan Silvestri |
Competitive highlights[]
Pairs career[]
Results for Russia[]
(with Smirnov)
| Event | 2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | 2008-2009 |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Championships | 9th | 4th | 3rd |
| European Championships | 3rd | 2nd | |
| Russian Championships | 1st | 1st | |
| Grand Prix Final | 5th | 5th | |
| Cup of Russia | 3rd | 3rd | 2nd |
| Skate Canada | 3rd | 1st | |
| Coupe International Nice | 1st | 1st |
Results for Japan/United States[]
(with Patrick)
| Event | 2004-2005 | 2005-2006 |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Championships | 15th | |
| Japanese Championships | 1st | |
| Midwestern Sectionals | 2nd |
Results for Japan[]
(with Markuntsov)
| Event | 2000-2001 | 2001-2002 | 2002-2003 |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Championships | 15th | 13th | 14th |
| Four Continents Championships | 8th | 9th | 7th |
| World Junior Championships | 2nd | ||
| Japanese Championships | 1st | 1st | |
| Japanese Junior Championships | 1st | ||
| NHK Trophy | WD | 5th | |
| Skate America | 6th | 5th | |
| Trophee Lalique | 6th | ||
| Junior Grand Prix Final | 3rd | ||
| Junior Grand Prix, China | 3rd | ||
| Junior Grand Prix, Mexico | 1st |
- WD = Withdrew
Singles career[]
| Event | 1997-1998 | 1998-1999 |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese Jr. Championships | 3rd | |
| Junior Grand Prix, Mexico | 1st | |
| Junior Grand Prix, Hungary | 8th |
References[]
- ↑ Ukaz №1832: Ukaz signed by President Dmitry Medvedev, Presidential Administration of Russia
- ↑ 川口がロシア国籍を取得 フィギュアで五輪目指し, 47NEWS, 2009/01/17