Ode to Apolo Anton Ohno

Just a warning: This is going to be a long post. Because, well, this gentleman has quite the box full of accomplishments. And plus, he’s amazing. Why wouldn’t I write a long article about him? Duh.

Born to an American mother and a Japanese father, Apolo Anton Ohno has become one of the most well-known speed skaters in the world. And he’s only 27. His father was his primary caregiver and practically forced Ohno into competitive swimming and in-line skating when he was around 10 in order to fill his spare time while he was at work. At the age of 12, he won the Washington State Championship in swimming, but that wasn’t what he wanted. He wanted to skate- and skating was what he got.

At the age of 14, he began training for his ultimate goal- the Winter Olympics and getting a place on the U.S. Junior World Team. Although he started off roughly, placing last in most of his races, he finally won his first gold medal during the 1999 World Junior Championships. And one could say that from there one, Ohno found a new source of inspiration.

In the 2002 Winter Olympics, Ohno placed second in the 1000 meter race and first in the 1500 meter race. In 2005, he placed gold in many of his World Championships, quickly heightening his status in the speed-skating world. Following the 2006 Winter Olympics, Ohno was officially inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame. In the 2008 Winter Olympics, he won his first overall title. For the 2010 Winter Olympics, Ohno reported that he will be representing the U.S. along with J.R. Celski, Jordan Malone, Travis Jayner, and Simon Cho. So, let me summarize everything I’ve thrown at you. He’s a five-time medalist in the Winter Olympics for speed-skating (2 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze). Oh, and he was named the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Male Athlete of the Month in October of 2003 and March of 2008.

Basically, he’s an amazing skater and deserves all the praise he’s been getting lately. Not only is he an amazing athlete, but he is known for his cheerful personality and all-around talent. He won the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars with his partner, Julianne Hough. So, he can speed-skate and ballroom dance? That takes a lot of skill. Believe me, ballroom dancing is no walk through the park.

Apolo Anton Ohno, we at AATheory salute you. Way to be an amazing Asian American athlete. You better kick some serious butt at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

And P.S., I think you should pose in more pictures like this:

Just saying.

credit: apoloantonohno.com