Michelle Kwan's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Michelle Kwan. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Michelle Kwan is a highly decorated retired American figure skater and diplomat. She achieved significant success in figure skating, earning two Olympic medals, five World Championship titles, and nine U.S. National Championship titles, tying the all-time record. Post-skating, she served as the United States Ambassador to Belize from 2022 to 2025.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1994: Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year award

In 1994, Michelle Kwan won the "Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year" award given by Skating magazine.

1994: World Junior Championships

In 1994, Michelle Kwan won the World Junior Championships.

1995: Skate America Win

In 1995, Michelle Kwan won Skate America due to her intricate choreography, emotional depth, and use of her Salome program.

1995: Winning Streak Begins

In the fall of 1995, Michelle Kwan began a winning streak that lasted more than a year, establishing herself as a consistent and well-rounded skater known for her artistry and musicality.

1996: World Champion

In 1996, Michelle Kwan became a world champion in figure skating and U.S. champion.

1996: U.S. and World Championships Wins

In 1996, Michelle Kwan won both the U.S. Championships and the World Championships, edging out Chen Lu in a close competition. She became the third youngest figure skater to hold both titles.

1996: Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year award

In 1996, Michelle Kwan won the "Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year" award given by Skating magazine.

1998: Regaining U.S. Title

In 1998, Michelle Kwan regained her U.S. title from Lipinski at the National Championships despite a fractured toe, earning 6.0s from eight of the nine judges and delivering performances considered the high point of her career.

1998: Olympic Silver Medalist

In 1998, Michelle Kwan won a silver medal at the Olympics.

1998: Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year award

In 1998, Michelle Kwan won the "Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year" award given by Skating magazine.

1998: World Championships

In 1998, Michelle Kwan won the World Championship.

1998: 1998 Olympic Games

In 1998, at the Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan, Michelle Kwan placed first in the short program. In the free skate, she executed a clean seven-triple performance but placed behind Tara Lipinski, ultimately winning the silver medal. Lipinski won the gold, and Chen Lu won the bronze.

1999: 1999 U.S. Championships and World Championships

In 1999, Kwan won her third national title at the U.S. Championships. At the 1999 World Championships, Kwan placed second behind Maria Butyrskaya.

1999: Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year award

In 1999, Michelle Kwan won the "Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year" award given by Skating magazine.

2000: Triple Toe-Triple Toe Combination

During her career, Kwan included all the triples in her programs. She landed the triple toe-triple toe combination cleanly eleven times in competition, including at her 2000 world championship victory.

2000: 2000 U.S. Nationals and World Championships Victories

In 2000, Kwan's win at the U.S. Nationals was considered controversial by some. However, she ultimately won the free skate. At the 2000 World Championships, Kwan was in third place after the short program but won the overall title.

2000: World Champion

In 2000, Michelle Kwan won the World Championship.

2001: Triple Toe-Triple Toe Combination

During her career, Kwan included all the triples in her programs. She landed the triple toe-triple toe combination cleanly eleven times in competition, including at her 2001 world championship victory.

2001: Recipient of the James E. Sullivan Award

In 2001, Kwan received the James E. Sullivan Award, an award given to America's best amateur athlete. She was the first figure skater to win it since Dick Button in 1949.

2001: 2001 U.S. Nationals and World Championships Victories

In 2001, Kwan won the national title, receiving first-place ordinals from all 9 judges. At the 2001 World Championships, Kwan won the title with her "Song of the Black Swan" free skate.

2001: Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year award

In 2001, Michelle Kwan won the "Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year" award given by Skating magazine.

2001: World Champion

In 2001, Michelle Kwan won the World Championship.

2002: 2002 U.S. Championships and Olympic Games

In 2002, Kwan won the U.S. Championships and secured a place on the Olympic team. At the Olympic Games, she won the bronze medal. Her final event of the season was the 2002 Worlds, where she won the silver medal.

2002: Salt Lake City Olympics

In 2002, Michelle Kwan earned the bronze medal at the Salt Lake City Olympics.

2002: Olympic Bronze Medalist

In 2002, Michelle Kwan won a bronze medal at the Olympics.

2002: Start of Coaching with Scott Williams and Skate America Win

In the summer of 2002, Kwan began working with coach Scott Williams. She competed in Skate America, entered as a last-minute replacement, and won the event.

2003: Victories in 2002-2003 Competitive Season

During the 2002-2003 competitive season, Kwan won all phases of every competition she entered with her programs "The Feeling Begins" and "Concierto de Aranjuez". She won the U.S. Championships again and regained her World title in 2003.

2003: United States Olympic Committee Sportswoman of the Year

In 2003, Michelle Kwan was named the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) "Sportswoman of the Year", becoming the 5th figure skater in history to receive this honor.

2003: World Champion

In 2003, Michelle Kwan won the World Championship.

2003: Award Renamed "Michelle Kwan Trophy"

In 2003, the United States Figure Skating Association announced that the "Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year" award would be renamed the "Michelle Kwan Trophy".

2004: Triple Flip-Double Toe-Double Loop Combination

During the 2004-2005 season, Kwan debuted a triple flip-double toe-double loop combination.

2004: Recipient of the USOC's Citizenship Through Sports Alliance Award

In 2004, Michelle Kwan received the USOC's "Citizenship Through Sports Alliance Award".

2004: 2003-2004 Competitive Season

In the 2003-2004 season, Kwan skated to "The Feeling Begins" and "Tosca". She won the U.S. Championships, earning seven more 6.0s. At the 2004 World Championships, she placed third overall.

2005: 2005 U.S. Championships and World Championship

At the U.S. Championships in 2005, Kwan won her 9th title. At the 2005 World Championship, Kwan finished fourth overall, marking the first time since 1995 that she had failed to medal at an international competition.

2005: Triple Flip-Double Toe-Double Loop Combination

During the 2004-2005 season, Kwan debuted a triple flip-double toe-double loop combination.

2005: U.S. Champion

In 2005, Michelle Kwan won the U.S. Championship, marking her ninth title and tying her with Maribel Vinson for the all-time National Championship record.

January 14, 2006: Petition for Medical Waiver

On January 14, 2006, the USFSA's International Committee approved Kwan's petition for a medical waiver to be placed on the 2006 Olympic figure skating team.