Rena Inoue
Encyclopedia
is an American
pair skater. With partner John Baldwin
, she is the 2004 and 2006 U.S. National Champion
. Inoue previously competed for Japan as both a single skater
and pair skater. Inoue and Baldwin are the first skaters to perform a throw triple axel
in competition.
, Japan
. She moved to the United States
in 1996 at the urging of her father, who had been diagnosed with lung cancer. In 1998, Inoue was diagnosed with cancer. It was detected early, and after six months of chemotherapy
, she was cancer-free.
Inoue graduated from Waseda University
in 1999 with a degree in education.
She became a U.S. citizen in 2005.
Inoue became engaged to be married to skating partner John Baldwin in January 2008.
and pair skating
in Japan.
As a single skater, she is the 1994 Japanese silver medalist
and 1998 bronze medalist. She represented Japan at the 1994 Winter Olympics
in singles and placed 18th.
As a pair skater, she competed with Tomoaki Koyama
. They were the 1991 and 1992 Japanese national champions
. They represented Japan at the 1992 Winter Olympics
and placed 14th.
Inoue competed for Japan in singles in many international competitions through 1999.
They placed 11th at the 2001 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The following season, they won the pewter medal at the 2002 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. They were sent to the 2002 Four Continents Championships, their first international competition together, and placed 7th.
In the 2002-2003 season, they competed on the Grand Prix. Returning to Nationals, they won the bronze medal. They withdrew from the 2003 Four Continents Championships, but placed 10th at the 2003 World Figure Skating Championships
.
In the 2003-2004 season, they improved on their Grand Prix results and won their first national title. They placed 4th at the 2004 Four Continents Championships and repeated their 10th place finish at the 2004 World Figure Skating Championships
.
In the 2004-2005 season, they medalled for the first time on the Grand Prix and qualified for the Grand Prix Final, where they placed 6th. They won the silver medal at the 2005 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and placed 11th at the 2005 World Figure Skating Championships
.
In the 2005-2006 season, Inoue and Baldwin medalled on the Grand Prix. At the 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Inoue and Baldwin became the first pair to successfully perform a throw triple Axel
in competition. They went on to the 2006 Four Continents Championships, which they won. At the 2006 Winter Olympics
, they made Olympic and international history when they landed the throw triple axel for the first time in international competition. They placed 7th overall. At the 2006 World Figure Skating Championships
, they placed 4th.
In the 2006-2007 season, Inoue and Baldwin won the gold medal at the 2006 Skate America
after winning the short program and placing second in the free skate. They won the silver medal at 2006 Skate Canada International
the next week; and then won the silver at 2006 Trophée Eric Bompard
one week later. They qualified for the Grand Prix Final
. At the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, they won the silver medal. They placed 8th at the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships
.
In the 2007-2008 season, Inoue and Baldwin sat out the Grand Prix series, choosing to skate in shows instead. Returning to competition at the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, they won the silver medal. While they were taking their bows following their free skate, Baldwin proposed marriage to Rena on the ice and she accepted. Inoue and Baldwin competed at the 2008 World Figure Skating Championships
, where they placed 10th.
Inoue and Baldwin have been assigned to the 2008 Skate America
and the 2008 NHK Trophy
for the 2008-2009 Grand Prix Season.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pair skater. With partner John Baldwin
John Baldwin (skater)
John Baldwin, Jr. is an American figure skater. With partner Rena Inoue, he is a two-time U.S. national champion. Inoue and Baldwin are the first skaters to perform a throw triple axel in competition.-Personal life:...
, she is the 2004 and 2006 U.S. National Champion
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...
. Inoue previously competed for Japan as both a single skater
Single skating
Single skating is a discipline of figure skating, wherein a single person skates alone. Men's singles and ladies' singles are both Olympic disciplines and are both governed by the International Skating Union. The other Olympic figure skating events are pair skating and ice dancing...
and pair skater. Inoue and Baldwin are the first skaters to perform a throw triple axel
Axel jump
The Axel is a figure skating jump with a forward take-off. It is named after the Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen, who first performed the jump in 1882. An Axel jump has an extra ½ rotation in the air due to its forward take-off...
in competition.
Personal life
Rena Inoue was born in 1976 in Nishinomiya, HyōgoNishinomiya, Hyogo
is a city located in Hyōgo, Japan, between the cities of Ōsaka and Kōbe. On April 1, 2005, the city of Nishinomiya celebrated its 80th anniversary. It is best known as the home of Kōshien Stadium, where the Hanshin Tigers baseball team plays home games and where Japan's annual high school baseball...
, 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...
. She moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1996 at the urging of her father, who had been diagnosed with lung cancer. In 1998, Inoue was diagnosed with cancer. It was detected early, and after six months of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
, she was cancer-free.
Inoue graduated from Waseda University
Waseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
in 1999 with a degree in education.
She became a U.S. citizen in 2005.
Inoue became engaged to be married to skating partner John Baldwin in January 2008.
Competing for Japan
Rena Inoue began skating at age four. She competed in the disciplines of single skatingSingle skating
Single skating is a discipline of figure skating, wherein a single person skates alone. Men's singles and ladies' singles are both Olympic disciplines and are both governed by the International Skating Union. The other Olympic figure skating events are pair skating and ice dancing...
and pair skating
Pair skating
Pair skating is a figure skating discipline. International Skating Union regulations describe pair teams as consisting of "one lady and one man." The sport is distinguished from ice dancing and single skating by elements unique to pair skating, including overhead lifts, twist lifts, death spirals,...
in Japan.
As a single skater, she is the 1994 Japanese silver medalist
Japan Figure Skating Championships
The Japan or All-Japan Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Japan. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing, although not every discipline has been held...
and 1998 bronze medalist. She represented Japan at the 1994 Winter Olympics
Japan at the 1994 Winter Olympics
-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's combinedWomenWomen's combined- Biathlon:MenWomen1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target. 2One minute added per missed target.- Bobsleigh:...
in singles and placed 18th.
As a pair skater, she competed with Tomoaki Koyama
Tomoaki Koyama
is a Japanese pair skater who now works as an ISU Technical Specialist. Competing with Rena Inoue, he placed 14th in the 1992 Winter Olympic Games. They are two-time Japanese National Champions. He also competed as a single skater.-Singles career:-Pairs career:...
. They were the 1991 and 1992 Japanese national champions
Japan Figure Skating Championships
The Japan or All-Japan Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Japan. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing, although not every discipline has been held...
. They represented Japan at the 1992 Winter Olympics
Japan at the 1992 Winter Olympics
-Medalists:- Alpine skiing:MenMen's combinedWomenWomen's combined- Biathlon:MenWomen1A penalty loop of 150 metres had to be skied per missed target. 2One minute added per missed target.- Bobsleigh:...
and placed 14th.
Inoue competed for Japan in singles in many international competitions through 1999.
Competing for the United States
While living in the United States, she was paired with John Baldwin by his father, a coach. Inoue and Baldwin tried out and agreed to form the partnership. They began competing together in 2000.They placed 11th at the 2001 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The following season, they won the pewter medal at the 2002 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. They were sent to the 2002 Four Continents Championships, their first international competition together, and placed 7th.
In the 2002-2003 season, they competed on the Grand Prix. Returning to Nationals, they won the bronze medal. They withdrew from the 2003 Four Continents Championships, but placed 10th at the 2003 World Figure Skating Championships
2003 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...
.
In the 2003-2004 season, they improved on their Grand Prix results and won their first national title. They placed 4th at the 2004 Four Continents Championships and repeated their 10th place finish at the 2004 World Figure Skating Championships
2004 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...
.
In the 2004-2005 season, they medalled for the first time on the Grand Prix and qualified for the Grand Prix Final, where they placed 6th. They won the silver medal at the 2005 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and placed 11th at the 2005 World Figure Skating Championships
2005 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...
.
In the 2005-2006 season, Inoue and Baldwin medalled on the Grand Prix. At the 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Inoue and Baldwin became the first pair to successfully perform a throw triple Axel
Axel jump
The Axel is a figure skating jump with a forward take-off. It is named after the Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen, who first performed the jump in 1882. An Axel jump has an extra ½ rotation in the air due to its forward take-off...
in competition. They went on to the 2006 Four Continents Championships, which they won. At the 2006 Winter Olympics
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
, they made Olympic and international history when they landed the throw triple axel for the first time in international competition. They placed 7th overall. At the 2006 World Figure Skating Championships
2006 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 2006 Worlds were held at the...
, they placed 4th.
2006 Skate America
Skate America is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition organized by the United States Figure Skating Association. It was the first competition of six of the 2006–2007 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating...
after winning the short program and placing second in the free skate. They won the silver medal at 2006 Skate Canada International
2006 Skate Canada International
The Skate Canada International is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition. It was the second competition of six of the 2006–2007 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The location changes yearly...
the next week; and then won the silver at 2006 Trophée Eric Bompard
2006 Trophée Eric Bompard
The Trophée Eric Bompard is an annual figure skating competition which takes place in Paris, France. It was the fourth of six international qualifying events in the 2006–2007 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The competition is named after the Eric Bompard company, which has been its chief...
one week later. They qualified for the Grand Prix Final
Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final
The Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final is an international, senior-level figure skating competition. It is the culmination of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Skaters compete in men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....
. At the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, they won the silver medal. They placed 8th at the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships
2007 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. Skaters compete in the...
.
In the 2007-2008 season, Inoue and Baldwin sat out the Grand Prix series, choosing to skate in shows instead. Returning to competition at the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, they won the silver medal. While they were taking their bows following their free skate, Baldwin proposed marriage to Rena on the ice and she accepted. Inoue and Baldwin competed at the 2008 World Figure Skating Championships
2008 World Figure Skating Championships
The 2008 World Figure Skating Championships was the World Figure Skating Championships of the 2007–2008 figure skating season. The World Championships are an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. The event was open to figure skaters...
, where they placed 10th.
Inoue and Baldwin have been assigned to the 2008 Skate America
2008 Skate America
The 2008 Skate America was the Skate America Grand Prix competition of the 2008–2009 figure skating season. It was the first event of six in the 2008–2009 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, a senior-level international invitational competition. It was organized by the United States Figure Skating...
and the 2008 NHK Trophy
2008 NHK Trophy
The 2008 NHK Trophy was the NHK Trophy Grand Prix competition of the 2008–2009 figure skating season. It was the final event of six in the 2008–2009 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, a senior-level international invitational competition. It was organized by the Japan Skating Federation...
for the 2008-2009 Grand Prix Season.
Singles career
| Event | 1990-91 | 1991-92 | 1992-93 | 1993-94 | 1994-95 | 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympic Games Figure skating at the 1994 Winter Olympics Referee:* Britta LindgrenAssistant Referee:* Gerhardt BubníkJudges: Wendy Utley Jan Olesinski Jarmila Portová Alfred Korytek Yang Jiasheng Margaret Ann Wier Noriko Shirota Audrey Williams Jan Hoffmann Monique Petis -Pairs:... |
18th | ||||||||
| 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... |
13th | ||||||||
| 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... |
14th | 5th | |||||||
| Japanese Championships Japan Figure Skating Championships The Japan or All-Japan Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Japan. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing, although not every discipline has been held... |
2nd | 12th | 5th | 6th | 3rd | WD | |||
| Japanese Jr. Championships Japan Junior Figure Skating Championships The Japan Junior Figure Skating Championships is a figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions on the Junior level for Japan. The first Japan Junior Figure Skating Championships was held in 1931. It is the junior level equivalent of the Japan Figure Skating Championships... |
1st | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | |||||
| Skate Canada International 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... |
9th | ||||||||
| 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... |
10th | ||||||||
| Sparkassen Cup Bofrost Cup on Ice The Bofrost Cup on Ice was a figure skating competition held in Germany between 1986 and 2004. It was part of the Grand Prix series until 2003, when it was replaced by Cup of China. Following being booted out of the Grand Prix series, a new form of competition was introduced to the Bofrost Cup... |
3rd | 7th | |||||||
| 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... |
8th | ||||||||
| 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.... |
11th | 8th | |||||||
| Winter Universiade Figure skating at the Winter Universiade Figure skating is a part of the Winter Universiade. It was first held as part of the Universiade in 1960.-Men's singles:- Ladies singles :- Pair skating :- Ice dancing :-References:* -External links:*... |
2nd |
For the United States
(with John Baldwin for the United States)| Event | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... |
7th | |||||||||
| 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... |
10th | 10th | 11th | 4th | 8th | 10th | ||||
| Four Continents Four Continents Figure Skating Championships The Four Continents Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition. The International Skating Union established it in 1999 to provide skaters representing non-European countries with a similar competition to the much older European Figure Skating Championships and a chance... |
7th | 4th | 1st | 3rd | 4th | 7th | ||||
| 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... |
11th | 4th | 3rd | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | 2nd | 3rd | 3rd |
| Grand Prix Final Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final The Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final is an international, senior-level figure skating competition. It is the culmination of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Skaters compete in men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.... |
6th | 4th | ||||||||
| Trophée Eric Bompard Trophée Eric Bompard The Trophée Eric Bompard is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The Trophée Eric Bompard was formerly known as the Trophée Lalique... |
4th | 2nd | 4th | |||||||
| 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 | 4th | 2nd | 3rd | ||||||
| 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... |
3rd | 2nd | 1st | 5th | ||||||
| Skate Canada International 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 | |||||||||
| Bofrost Cup | 5th | |||||||||
| Cup of China Cup of China The Cup of China is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The location changes yearly. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.The Cup of China is... |
5th | |||||||||
| 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... |
5th | |||||||||
For Japan
(with Tomoaki Koyama for Japan)| Event | 1989-1990 | 1990-1991 | 1991-1992 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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... |
14th | ||
| 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... |
15th | ||
| 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... |
7th | ||
| Japanese Championships | 1st | 1st | |
| Grand Prix Internationale de Nice Trophée Eric Bompard The Trophée Eric Bompard is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The Trophée Eric Bompard was formerly known as the Trophée Lalique... |
7th | ||
| 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.... |
7th |