Apolo Anton Ohno

Apolo Anton Ohno
Name	Apolo Anton Ohno
Caption	Ohno at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Country	United States
Sport	Short track speed skating
Birth date	22 May 1982
Birth place	Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Height	1.73 m
Weight	65 kg

Apolo Anton Ohno is an American former short track speed skating champion and the most decorated American athlete in Winter Olympic history. His dynamic and strategic racing style made him a dominant figure in his sport during the 2000s. Ohno's success helped popularize short track speed skating in the United States and cemented his status as a sports icon.

Early life and background

Born in Seattle, Washington, to father Yuki Ohno, a Japanese immigrant, and an American mother, he was raised primarily by his father. He showed early athletic promise in inline skating and swimming before focusing on ice skating. His talent was identified by Pat Wentland, a former Olympic speed skating coach, who guided his transition to the ice. Ohno trained extensively at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as part of the United States Olympic Committee's development programs.

Short track speed skating career

Ohno rose to prominence on the International Skating Union World Cup circuit, known for his explosive final-lap sprints and tactical prowess. He won his first overall World Championship title in 2001 in Jeonju, South Korea. His rivalry with skaters like Kim Dong-Sung of South Korea and Li Jiajun of China defined the era. Ohno competed for the United States national short track speed skating team under coaches like Jae Su Chun and Jimmy Jang, contributing to the team's success in relay events at World Championships.

Olympic achievements

Ohno first competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where he won a gold medal in the 1500 metres and a silver medal in the 1000 metres after a controversial disqualification of Kim Dong-Sung. At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, he earned a gold medal in the 500 metres and bronze medals in the 1000 metres and 5000 metre relay. His final Olympic Games were the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where he won silver in the 1500 metres and bronze in the 1000 metres and 5000 metre relay, bringing his total to eight Olympic medals. This surpassed Bonnie Blair as the record for an American Winter Olympian.

Post-skating career

Following his retirement from competition, Ohno became a prominent television personality and motivational speaker. He won the fourth season of the ABC reality competition ''Dancing with the Stars'' with professional dancer Julianne Hough. He has served as a NBC and ABC sports commentator for events like the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Ohno is also an entrepreneur, author of the book Zero Regrets, and a health and wellness advocate.

Personal life

Ohno has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Special Olympics. He maintains a rigorous fitness regimen and is known for his disciplined lifestyle. Ohno has also participated in events for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and was a torchbearer for the 2002 Winter Olympics torch relay.

Legacy and honors

Ohno's eight Olympic medals remain the benchmark for American Winter Olympians. He was inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame in 2019. His impact elevated the profile of short track speed skating in the United States, inspiring a generation of skaters like J. R. Celski and Maame Biney. Ohno received the James E. Sullivan Award in 2002 as the nation's top amateur athlete and has been honored by the Asian Hall of Fame. His career is celebrated at institutions like the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle.

Category:American short track speed skaters Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in short track speed skating Category:Olympic silver medalists for the United States in short track speed skating Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in short track speed skating Category:1982 births Category:Living people