Kyoko Ina
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese-American figure skater. With partner John Zimmerman, she is a three-time (2000–2002) U.S. national champion
and 2002 Olympian
. With partner Jason Dungjen
, she was a two-time (1997 & 1998) U.S. Champion and a 1994 & 1998 Olympian.
, Japan
, but raised in New York. She started skating at the age of 4, at the rink at Rockefeller Center
. Ina skated singles and pairs for Japan in the Junior ranks, but eventually decided to compete solely for the United States.
Her first American partnership was with Jason Dungjen
from 1991 to 1998, under the coaching of Peter Burrows and Marylynn Gelderman in Monsey, New York
. They excelled as a pair and placed 4th in the 1998 Winter Olympics
. Their partnership ended following that season.
She teamed up with John Zimmerman then formed a skating partnership, and they trained under Tamara Moskvina
and Igor Moskvin in Hackensack
, New Jersey
. They are able to capitalize on their height difference and perform various difficult lifts.
They won 3 U.S. Championships and competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics
. They won the bronze medal at the 2002 World Figure Skating Championships
.
Ina had not yet turned professional when, on July 18, 2002, the USADA chose to perform an out-of-competition doping test
on her. The agent came to her home for an unscheduled test at 10:30 at night. Ina stated that she could not produce the urine sample because she had already prepared to go to sleep. Ina was led to believe by the agent that the test could be rescheduled for the following day, but she was later charged with refusing to take a doping test. She was suspended by the USADA because of this and faced fines. Despite what had been reported, Ina never faced suspension from the International Skating Union
because the refused test was a national out of competition test. Ina's case was further complicated because it was not clear at the time if she had or had not officially retired from competition at the time of the attempted test. Ina eventually filed a case with the Court of Arbitration for Sport
, but later withdrew it. In the end, Ina accepted a two-year sanction from the USADA.
Ina and Zimmerman skated with the Stars on Ice
tour for many years.
In 2010, Ina is competing in the second season
of the Canadian reality competition Battle of the Blades
partnered with retired NHL player Kelly Chase
. The program pairs former hockey players with professional figure skaters in a pairs figure skating competition.
(with Jason Dungjen)
United States Figure Skating Championships
The United States Figure Skating Championships is figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of the United States. The competition is sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating. In the U.S. skating community, the event is often referred to informally as "Nationals".Skaters...
and 2002 Olympian
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
. With partner Jason Dungjen
Jason Dungjen
Jason Dungjen is an American retired pair skater who was a two-time U.S. national champion. He is currently a skating coach....
, she was a two-time (1997 & 1998) U.S. Champion and a 1994 & 1998 Olympian.
Life and career
Ina was born in TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, but raised in New York. She started skating at the age of 4, at the rink at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings covering between 48th and 51st streets in New York City, United States. Built by the Rockefeller family, it is located in the center of Midtown Manhattan, spanning the area between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. It was declared a National...
. Ina skated singles and pairs for Japan in the Junior ranks, but eventually decided to compete solely for the United States.
Her first American partnership was with Jason Dungjen
Jason Dungjen
Jason Dungjen is an American retired pair skater who was a two-time U.S. national champion. He is currently a skating coach....
from 1991 to 1998, under the coaching of Peter Burrows and Marylynn Gelderman in Monsey, New York
Monsey, New York
Monsey is a hamlet , in the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of the state of New Jersey; east of Suffern; south of Airmont and west of Nanuet...
. They excelled as a pair and placed 4th in the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
. Their partnership ended following that season.
She teamed up with John Zimmerman then formed a skating partnership, and they trained under Tamara Moskvina
Tamara Moskvina
Tamara Nikolayevna Moskvina , née Bratus is a Russian pair skating coach and former competitive skater. In pair skating with partner Alexei Mishin, she was the 1969 World silver medalist and Soviet national champion. In ladies singles, she was a five-time Soviet national champion...
and Igor Moskvin in Hackensack
Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and the county seat of Bergen County. Although informally called Hackensack, it was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 43,010....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. They are able to capitalize on their height difference and perform various difficult lifts.
They won 3 U.S. Championships and competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
. They won the bronze medal at the 2002 World Figure Skating Championships
2002 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. This event is considered the most prestigious of the ISU Championships. The 2002 Worlds were held in...
.
Ina had not yet turned professional when, on July 18, 2002, the USADA chose to perform an out-of-competition doping test
Doping (sport)
The use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport is commonly referred to by the term "doping", particularly by those organizations that regulate competitions. The use of performance enhancing drugs is mostly done to improve athletic performance. This is why many sports ban the use of performance...
on her. The agent came to her home for an unscheduled test at 10:30 at night. Ina stated that she could not produce the urine sample because she had already prepared to go to sleep. Ina was led to believe by the agent that the test could be rescheduled for the following day, but she was later charged with refusing to take a doping test. She was suspended by the USADA because of this and faced fines. Despite what had been reported, Ina never faced suspension from the International Skating Union
International Skating Union
The International Skating Union is the international governing body for competitive ice skating disciplines, including figure skating, synchronized skating, speed skating, and short track speed skating. It was founded in Scheveningen, Netherlands in 1892, making it one of the oldest international...
because the refused test was a national out of competition test. Ina's case was further complicated because it was not clear at the time if she had or had not officially retired from competition at the time of the attempted test. Ina eventually filed a case with the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Court of Arbitration for Sport
The Court of Arbitration for Sport is an international arbitration body set up to settle disputes related to sport. Its headquarters are in Lausanne and its courts are located in New York, Sydney and Lausanne, Switzerland...
, but later withdrew it. In the end, Ina accepted a two-year sanction from the USADA.
Ina and Zimmerman skated with the Stars on Ice
Stars on Ice
Stars on Ice is a touring figure skating show produced by IMG. It was originally conceived in 1986 as a vehicle for IMG client Scott Hamilton, who had been released from his contract with Ice Capades, after being told that male skaters do not sell tickets...
tour for many years.
In 2010, Ina is competing in the second season
Battle of the Blades (season 2)
The second season of Battle of the Blades premiered on September 26, 2010 as a part of CBC's fall line-up. Like season 1, this season showcases a lineup of 8 couples.Ron MacLean and Kurt Browning return as the show's hosts...
of the Canadian reality competition Battle of the Blades
Battle of the Blades
Battle of the Blades is a Canadian figure skating reality show and competition that airs on CBC Television. It was first broadcast before a live audience at the historic Maple Leaf Gardens. With Maple Leaf Gardens under renovation however, the show was filmed at Pinewood Toronto Studios in season two...
partnered with retired NHL player Kelly Chase
Kelly Chase
Kelly Wayne Chase is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and current radio sportscaster.-Playing career:...
. The program pairs former hockey players with professional figure skaters in a pairs figure skating competition.
Pairs career
(with John Zimmerman)| Event | 1998-99 | 1999-00 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympic Games Winter Olympic Games The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating... |
5th | |||
| World Championships World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion... |
9th | 7th | 7th | 3rd |
| Four Continents Championships | 2nd | 3rd | ||
| U.S. Championships United States Figure Skating Championships The United States Figure Skating Championships is figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of the United States. The competition is sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating. In the U.S. skating community, the event is often referred to informally as "Nationals".Skaters... |
2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| Grand Prix Final | 5th | 4th | ||
| Trophée Lalique | 2nd | 4th | 3rd | 2nd |
| Skate America Skate America Skate America is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. It is organized by the United States Figure Skating Association. The location changes yearly... |
5th | 5th | 4th | 2nd |
| Sparkassen Cup on Ice | 2nd | |||
| Cup of Russia Cup of Russia The Cup of Russia is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. It was held as the Rostelecom Cup in 2009 after... |
3rd | 4th | ||
| Skate Canada Skate Canada International The Skate Canada International is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition organized by Skate Canada. It is the second competition of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The location changes yearly. Medals are awarded in four disciplines: Ladies' singles, Men's... |
2nd |
(with Jason Dungjen)
| Event | 1991-92 | 1992-93 | 1993-94 | 1994-95 | 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympic Games Winter Olympic Games The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating... |
9th | 4th | |||||
| World Championships World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion... |
12th | 8th | 6th | 4th | |||
| U.S. Championships United States Figure Skating Championships The United States Figure Skating Championships is figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of the United States. The competition is sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating. In the U.S. skating community, the event is often referred to informally as "Nationals".Skaters... |
7th | 5th | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 1st | 1st |
| Trophée Lalique | 5th | 6th | |||||
| Skate America Skate America Skate America is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. It is organized by the United States Figure Skating Association. The location changes yearly... |
2nd | 5th | 4th | 2nd | |||
| NHK Trophy NHK Trophy The NHK Trophy is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.... |
4th | 3rd | |||||
| Nations Cup | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 3rd | |||
| Skate Canada Skate Canada International The Skate Canada International is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition organized by Skate Canada. It is the second competition of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The location changes yearly. Medals are awarded in four disciplines: Ladies' singles, Men's... |
3rd | ||||||
| Continents Cup | 2nd | ||||||
| Karl Schafer Memorial Karl Schäfer Memorial The Karl Schäfer Memorial is an annual elite senior-level figure skating competition held in Vienna, Austria. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dance. The competition is named for figure skater Karl Schäfer. The competition is usually held in... |
1st | ||||||
| Piruetten | 3rd |
For the United States
| Event | 1988-89 | 1989-90 | 1990-91 | 1991-92 | 1992-93 | 1993-94 | 1994-95 | 1995-96 | 1996-97 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Championships United States Figure Skating Championships The United States Figure Skating Championships is figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of the United States. The competition is sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating. In the U.S. skating community, the event is often referred to informally as "Nationals".Skaters... |
1st J. | 7th | 8th | 10th | 4th | 11th | |||
| NHK Trophy NHK Trophy The NHK Trophy is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.... |
6th | ||||||||
| Nebelhorn Trophy Nebelhorn Trophy The Nebelhorn Trophy is an international senior-level figure skating competition organized by the Deutsche Eislauf-Union and held annually in Oberstdorf, Germany. The competition is named after the Nebelhorn, a nearby mountain.... |
1st | ||||||||
- J = Junior level
For Japan
| Event | 1986-1987 |
|---|---|
| World Junior Championships World Junior Figure Skating Championships The World Junior Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which younger figure skaters compete for the title of World Junior Champion... |
8th |
| Japanese Junior Championships | 1st |