Word: yamaguchi
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1990-1999
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Munich her image was set indelibly, warts and all, when she took off and whirled, airborne, into the stands. That was the embarrassing part. Then she went back out again, her radiant smile lighting up the arena. Among the Americans, the national champ is Kristi Yamaguchi, 21, a 5-ft. sprite from Fremont, Calif., known for her precise, delicate artistry. Runner-up is Nancy Kerrigan, 22, of Stoneham, Mass., a Kate Hepburn-style beauty whose elegance carries over into her performing style. Third -- but national champion in 1991 -- is Tonya Harding, 22, of Portland, Ore., a bold, natural athlete...
...four skaters, by most assessments, will be competing for just about the most glamorous gold medal in winter sports; the winner will be the reigning Ice Queen. There is a temptation among some followers of the sport to see the Olympic conflict in terms of athleticism (Ito) vs. artistry (Yamaguchi). This face-off would give Ito the edge. As ex-Olympic champ Dorothy Hamill puts it, "Kristi is graceful and musical. But when Midori skates, she has me on the edge of my seat." The excitement comes from the power of Ito's leaps. No skimming above the surface...
...living with her since Ito's parents separated 11 years ago. Albertville will be the culmination of 17 years' work for both women, and they are planning a program with somewhat more focus on artistry. It is unlikely, though, that they will try to imitate the lithe and pretty Yamaguchi. Says Yamada: "I always stress with Midori that this is a sport...
...Kristi Yamaguchi does not have a triple Axel either, but that's about the only weapon her arsenal lacks, and in the past year she has completed the transition from a cute kid trickster to a poised and elegant stylist. She too had to leave her home as a teenager and pursue superior coaching at Edmonton, Alta. Canadian champion Kurt Browning, who also trains there, is a pal and a one-man cheering squad. Bezic, who has worked out many routines for the likes of Katarina Witt and Brian Boitano, is also on Yamaguchi's team. Bezic devised a short...
...choice of the Blue Danube waltz at first appeared to be cliche, but both its beauty and familiarity make it a challenge that Yamaguchi lives up to. "It's strong music," she observes, "so I have to move strongly to it, using deeper plies for more power and smoothness." Bezic found the inspiration for her choreography not in any "story" or dramatic line, but simply in the thought of a girl at a mirror realizing that she is now a woman. It seems that when Yamaguchi boards with Bezic to work on the routines, she ends the day in front...