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Ilia Malinin and Roman Skorniakov © Instagram / sjiarsie
Figure skating is a breathtaking blend of artistry and athleticism, but behind every soaring jump and flawless spin lies a story of unwavering support—often from a father whose love and sacrifice propel their child to greatness. For world-renowned figure skaters, dads are more than spectators; they’re mentors, chauffeurs, and steadfast believers through every triumph and trial. These real stories of famous skaters and their fathers, woven from rinks across the globe, illuminate the profound bonds that shape champions. From dawn practices to Olympic glory, these dads prove their support is as essential as the ice itself.
Yuzuru Hanyu, Japan’s two-time Olympic champion and figure skating legend, credits his father, Hidetoshi, for anchoring him through a career of dazzling highs and daunting challenges. Hidetoshi, a high school baseball coach and teacher in Sendai, instilled discipline and resilience in Yuzuru from childhood. The family faced financial strain as skating costs soared, but Hidetoshi worked tirelessly to fund his son’s passion. After the 2011 Tohoku earthquake devastated their hometown, destroying their local rink, Yuzuru considered quitting. Hidetoshi’s calm encouragement—“Skate for yourself, not for pressure”—reignited his drive. “My father taught me to find my own path,” Yuzuru said in a 2018 interview. Hidetoshi’s support went beyond words: he drove Yuzuru to distant rinks and even helped maintain ice equipment. When Yuzuru claimed gold at the 2014 and 2018 Olympics, Hidetoshi’s quiet pride from the stands spoke louder than any cheer. Their story shows how a father’s steady hand guides a skater through adversity to immortality.
Yuma Kagiyama, Japan’s 2022 Olympic silver medalist and rising star, shares a unique bond with his father, Masakazu, a former Olympian and his coach. Masakazu, who skated at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics, introduced Yuma to the ice at age five, blending technical rigor with a love for the sport. Their father-son dynamic, dubbed “hawk-like” by fans on X in 2024, reflects Masakazu’s keen eye for Yuma’s technique and his nurturing support. When Yuma faced a stress fracture in 2020, threatening his Olympic dreams, Masakazu tailored his training to prioritize recovery, teaching him patience. “My dad knows my limits better than I do,” Yuma said in a 2022 Japan Times interview. Masakazu’s dual role as coach and father created a safe space for Yuma to grow, leading to his silver medal in Beijing and a 2024 World Championship bronze. Off the ice, their shared laughter over old skating videos strengthens their bond. This story highlights how a father’s expertise and empathy forge a champion’s path.
Nathan Chen, the 2022 Olympic gold medalist and U.S. figure skating prodigy, owes much of his success to his father, Zhidong, a medical researcher who built a backyard rink to nurture his son’s talent. Growing up in Salt Lake City, Nathan showed promise early, but rink access was costly. Zhidong, a Chinese immigrant with limited skating knowledge, learned to create a makeshift ice surface in their yard, spending nights flooding it for Nathan to practice spins. “My dad gave me a place to dream,” Nathan recalled in a 2019 NBC Sports profile. Zhidong also drove Nathan to competitions across the U.S., sacrificing sleep and savings. When Nathan struggled with injuries before the 2018 Olympics, Zhidong’s advice—“Focus on what you can control”—kept him grounded. That resilience paid off in Beijing, where Nathan’s historic five-quad program earned gold. Zhidong’s tearful embrace afterward captured a journey of shared sacrifice. Their story underscores how a father’s ingenuity and belief turn dreams into reality.
Alysa Liu, the youngest U.S. national champion at age 13 in 2019, leaned heavily on her father, Arthur, a single parent and lawyer who raised her with fierce dedication. Arthur, a Chinese immigrant in Oakland, California, introduced Alysa to skating at five, seeing her joy on the ice. As her talent grew, he navigated the sport’s demands, from funding coaches to shielding her from pressure. When Alysa faced online scrutiny after her rapid rise, Arthur limited her social media exposure, prioritizing her mental health. “I want her to skate for love, not fame,” he told The New York Times in 2020. His support extended to rinkside cheers and late-night talks, helping Alysa rebound from a tough 2022 Olympics to win the 2024 World bronze. Arthur’s protective yet empowering approach gave Alysa the freedom to shine. Their story illustrates how a father’s care creates a safe haven for a skater’s growth.
Ilia Malinin, the 2024 World champion and U.S. figure skating sensation, known as the “Quad God” for landing six quads in a single program, grew up under the guidance of his father, Roman Skorniakov, a former Uzbekistani Olympian and his coach. Roman, who competed at the 1998 and 2002 Olympics, brought Yuzuru Hanyu-like precision to Ilia’s training, fostering his son’s historic quadruple Axel, the first ever landed in competition in 2022. Growing up in Virginia, Ilia benefited from Roman’s rinkside expertise, with his father fine-tuning his jumps and choreography. When Ilia faced pressure after a shaky 2022 Olympic debut, Roman’s advice to “trust your training” steadied him, leading to his 2024 World title. “My dad’s been my rock, pushing me to innovate,” Ilia said in a 2024 Skating Magazine interview. Off the ice, Roman’s playful encouragement, like challenging Ilia to backyard jump contests, keeps their bond tight. This story showcases how a father’s skating legacy and mentorship elevate a prodigy to new heights.
These stories reveal a universal truth: fathers are the heartbeat of figure skaters’ journeys. A 2019 Journal of Family Psychology study found that parental involvement in sports strengthens bonds by 14%, fostering trust and shared purpose. Whether building rinks, coaching through injuries, or offering quiet wisdom, these dads—Hidetoshi, Masakazu, Zhidong, and Arthur—show up with unwavering commitment. On X, a skating fan shared, “My dad woke up at 4 a.m. for my practices. Seeing Hanyu’s dad reminds me of that love.” The rink is a crucible where dads teach resilience, patience, and courage, lessons that echo beyond medals.
Figure skating’s demands—costly training, emotional highs and lows, and relentless schedules—require sacrifice, but these fathers embrace it. Their stories aren’t just about raising champions; they’re about raising children who soar through passion and perseverance. From local rinks to Olympic arenas, the bond between figure skaters and their dads is a legacy of love, etched in every glide and spin.
The ice of a figure skating rink holds more than performances—it cradles the stories of dads and their children, built on devotion and dreams. Yuzuru, Yuma, Nathan, and Alysa show how fathers shape their paths, from quiet encouragement to extraordinary sacrifices. These heartwarming tales remind us that figure skating is a family affair, where a dad’s support is as vital as any blade. Whether you’re a skater or a parent, these stories inspire you to cherish the bonds that make the ice a place of love and legacy. Next time you watch a skater soar, look for the dad in the crowd—their pride tells a story of its own.
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