Michelle Kwan - 2002 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Ladies' Free Skate

Los Angeles, California, USA - 2002 United States Figure Skating Championships, Ladies' Free Skate - Michelle Kwan won the Free Skate to win the Gold Medal here.

[@rickrockzyootoob]

I was there! When she came out, you could cut the energy with a knife. So glad I was able to witness that. What an amazing experience.

[@pengguo5234]

lucky u

[@TT-ee4qp]

Michelle kwan's documentary : ●5 time World champion 👍 ●9 time US champion 👍 ●1 Olympics silver ( was robbed at the 98 Olympics )👍 ●1 Olympics bronze ( She beat herself without a coach ) 👍 ●the most perfect 6.0 in the history 👍 People knew that Michelle Kwan is more than a Olympics gold. 🥰 Michelle kwan got into the World Figure skating Hall of Fame. Much greater than some kids skater. 🤭

[@user-kj9pb9jc3v]

The most beautiful, soulful, heartfelt and exquisite skater ever, so grateful to have her in thus world.⛸️💕💐⛸️

[@wavbd2256]

[Technical elements] 1. 3Lo 2. 3T+2T 3. 3Lz+2Lo 4. Flying Camel Spin 5. 2A 6. 3F 7. Layback Spin 8. 3S 9. Choreographic Spiral 10. Change Foot Combination Spin 11. 3Lz 12. Step Sequence 13. Flying Combination Spin

[@aspenrobinson8797]

This did not look like the same program as the 2002 0lympics. She was great here.

[@USA-qm2bk]

Aspen Robinson she had issues with triple toe combo all season

[@TT-ee4qp]

@@USA-qm2bkUnfortunately, Michelle fell at 2002 Olympics, or she still would win the Olympics gold.

[@oceanle]

Wow!!!!! That was a stunning program. The choreography kicked in about quarter into the program but when it did, it was sensational!

[@Danny-wy8kz]

Glad to see this video back here again!!

[@paul-zx5du]

The judges knew no one else could out score her in artistic marks.

[@kevinaragon5691]

That was so good!!!! Luv ya!

[@user-vn7sj5ig8w]

I felt she shouldn't have left Frank Caroll. I can see the difference of her skating without her coach. Whatever reason why she chosed to leave him affected her in 2002 Olympics. I think she was having personal issues with herself when she didn't get the gold in 98. That must have been so heartbreaking and sad for her to choose this decision. That was really sad to see Caroll looking at her when she got off the ice. I do commend her for competing for so long. I just love her artistry.

[@ravenel2]

I almost can’t believe this is the same program as her Olympic program. She looks like a different skater. Did she leave Frank to get the gold and end up with bronze? Something very strange was happening that night.

[@user-vn7sj5ig8w]

@@ravenel2 Something did happened with the US Nationals and 2002 Olympics. She did it alone without her coach. Michelle wanted to take responsibility for her skating as she said in an interview. She did that, but with consequences. I still like the fact that she got the bronze in the Olympics. I was heartbroken for her. I can see she was doubting herself and looked nervous. Understandable. A lot of pressure on her. We will never know why she fired her coach and choreographer. She was great the next 2 years. She really let go in 2004 'Tosca' and having Rafael as her coach really made her skate with fearless abandonment.

[@user-vn7sj5ig8w]

@Leo Santos Yes Indeed.

[@USA-qm2bk]

Leo Santos she didn’t grow up with nothing, they were middle class

[@big3missuie212]

@@user-vn7sj5ig8w Irina Slutskaya’s truck-like skating was over scored: that determined Kwan’s bronze, sadly (even after Kwan’s fall, Kwan still had the gold over Sarah Hughes because Hughes was coming from fourth place in the short program).

[@TT-ee4qp]

Some people deserved the Olympics gold but never got it with bad lucky, like Michelle.

[@TT-ee4qp]

Some people didn't deserve the Olympics gold and got it with good lucky, like Tara and Sarah.

[@antonetteallen2194]

She deserved the Olympic gold medal. I never felt right about Tara Lipinski getting it over her.

[@elizabethhurley1129]

Even Michelle's coach said Tara deserved to win. deadspin.com/20-years-ago-this-week-michelle-kwan-did-not-win-olymp-1823173036

[@theprinceoftides6836]

MK never needed it. Her overall accomplish and legacy is secure. The G.O.A.T of the sport.

[@antonetteallen2194]

@@theprinceoftides6836 Whether she needed it or not she wanted it and deserved it

[@theprinceoftides6836]

@@antonetteallen2194 Totally. But as U and I know, and I'm pretty sure MK knows, U can't always get what U want in Life.

[@antonetteallen2194]

@@theprinceoftides6836 Had the judging been done properly she would have won

[@3l3llala13]

The opening 3loop had a shaky landing; Possibly under rotated. She chickened out on the 3-3 too often, which didn't help her confidence in pulling it off during actual competitions. Agreed with Dick and Peggy that the program only came alive at the last 30 seconds of the performance. The US judges would have done Michelle a big favor back then if they had been less generous with her technical marks when she didn't pull off the most technically demanding elements. Danny Kwan should have stayed home or sat in the audience and leave the coaching to a real coach. Big mistake. Big mistake and foolish for Danny to believe that he, instead of Frank Carroll, had the credential and experience to take Michelle to a gold medal at SLC. He ruined Michelle's Olympic career.

[@MichaelDruck]

Sadly too Danny cost her 98' by making the skate boot deal which they got $100k but hid from Frank and led to her issues performing in the 97' season which she had in the bag. Then overtraining leading to her fractured toe - pushing her to do Skate Canada despite Frank's concerns again over $$$. This led to Michelle scaling back her technical ability from the previous season. Arguably although her performance at the Olympics was far better artistically then Tara's without a triple triple combination and drawing first instead of last led to her taking home the silver medal.

[@amexred]

​@@MichaelDruckshe would have lost Nagano even with a triple triple . She only needed the triple triple once and that was at the world's for red violin . Nagano she lost because Tara skated last . If Kwan was last she would have won . We all know it .

[@MichaelDruck]

@@amexred triple triple helped her win long program at worlds in 97’ and also worlds 01’ as well.

[@karmad4491]

How was Sarah Hughes' performance better? I don't get it.

[@psychstudentrip]

This wasn’t the Olympics, this was the US Championships. At the Olympics, Michelle fell unfortunately.

[@TT-ee4qp]

Actually, Sarah Hughes was a Olympics Cinderella.......her technique wouldn't get marks today. Sarah was lucky to win the Olympics because the other better skaters like Michelle and Irina made mistakes.

[@TravelingMan63]

Should of added another 3T at the end instead of the 2 falling leaf jumps

[@ehrenjw]

Nah better with 3T+3T earlier on when it works. Those falling leaf splits are magic.

[@lflagr]

Seems like most years, Michelle always peaked at the National championships and then didn't skate nearly as well at the Olympics/worlds later on

[@TT-ee4qp]

Just because Tara and Sarah was lucky to win the Olympics which they didn't deserve it. （∩▽∩）

[@theprinceoftides6836]

WTF R U talking about ?,, She's won 6 World Championship title's and shoulda won in 98, but got screwed by the skating order and a girl with barely 3/3. Get a new brain before writing anything ffs.

[@TT-ee4qp]

@@theprinceoftides6836 If people held the Olympics each year, Michelle would win the most golds in the history.

[@theprinceoftides6836]

@@TT-ee4qp Exactamundo. Beside everybody knows the ladies skating OG is a crap shoot, it's who will peaked at the right place and the right time who always wins. Beside here in the U.S. most athletes value The World Title more than the Olympics. The great Muhammad Ali threw his olympic gold medal in a shit infested river in Louisville Kentucky but treasured his 3 World title belts.

[@Kreatures100]

Better performance here than Olympics. But not a fan of Kawahara choreography. That whole middle section goes a bit dead with just hand movements. Lori Nicols much better. Michelle is better than this like her Salome program. Btw Dick Burton’s commentary was embarrassing with his numerous every sentence gaffes reminiscent of a certain guy running for office. ABC should be ashamed for putting in a man clearly mentally compromised

[@yodabeeshdc8275]

Kreatures100 I agree with you. This is my least favorite program because of the choreography. It wasn’t bad, just not remarkable. She also seemed tense and tentative in the beginning possibly due to being coachless. Very focused from jump to jump with basic choreography. Even Terry Gannon commented on MK picking up energy at the last 30 seconds of her program. Her Lori Nichol programs were more intricate.

[@ManuelPabloArnao]

No choreography until the last 30 seconds or so.

[@figureskatingcommentator9162]

I disagree. This program is gorgeous

[@jrewing6836]

I kinda agree with U. But compare to today crappy and depressing program s , this is a masterpiece lol.

[@sn19781204]

It is extremely disappointing that the world's top skater poses for boos on the points given by the judges.

[@jrewing6836]

@Mountain Lover OK we get it, U don't like MK, take a break mate, U don't have to be a prick for the rest of your life You know. Try getting a Life ffs lol.

[@TT-ee4qp]

You meant the Russian girls at the 2022 Olympics......🤣🤩😚

[@susanamedina143]

No me encantaba su estilo, ni me pareció la mejor, cómo le hicieron creer en su país, por eso nunca ganó una medalla de oro olímpica...

[@TT-ee4qp]

Shame on you.😡 Michelle kwan won 5 time World champion, 9 time US champion.... she is an Asian American to create such incredible documentary in the world .😎 Michelle kwan got the most perfect 6.0 ( 57 times ) in the figure skating history. 😎 And Michelle Kwan was robbed at the 98 Olympics. 😎

[@TT-ee4qp]

So many years, you changed your name again and again to slander Michelle Kwan. Because Tara Lipinski skated under Michelle's shadow.

[@yoojin3877]

I'm sorry but what the hell are you even talking about??

[@anne91276]

Another choker commentary from getrealandchoke. She is extremely rude and unmanageable.

[@piznoctsauo8141]

This was NOT better than Sasha's (even Sarah's) program. Michelle was stiff and tentative and the choreography was an obvious tense equation. This program never conviced, but on this iteration it's faulty expression is especially conspicous.

[@aspenrobinson8797]

I am aware of all Michelle's medals and wins. I watch her and am NEVER amazed by her skating . I keep wanting to feel or be moved like I get sometimes watching Sasha Cohen or the Russians today, but to me Michelle is a great cautious skater with very little speed or combination jumps and she goes into her jumps sooo slow, the first or second jump here she almost came to yo a stop going so slow setting up her jump and never any height . . I feel she was best when she first started so young . Like I said I am open to see what everyone here sees in Michelle's skating , but I dont ...its just nice .. I am confused about all thd hype to her skating and being one of the most decorated femsld singles skater in history..

[@TT-ee4qp]

You have no idea. 🤭

[@TT-ee4qp]

Sasha Cohen had to skate on crutches or she would fall everywhere on ice.

[@TT-ee4qp]

@@aspenrobinson8797 Sasha's performance was beautiful and boring. She had nothing but beautiful position, she had the only one style and never changed but herself.

[@TT-ee4qp]

@@aspenrobinson8797 Michelle skated with the truly Olympics spirit, she never gave up and created so many different style programs . Tara Lipinski skated safe because she never tried to be an artist on ice like Michelle Kwan. Tara always skated like Peter Pan, her LP and SP had no different and never changed the speed.