Yuko Kavaguti

Yuko Kavaguti
Kavaguti and Smirnov at the 2015–16 Grand Prix Final
Other names川口 悠子 / Кавагути Юко
Born (1981-11-20) 20 November 1981
Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
Height1.57 m (5 ft 2 in)
Figure skating career
Country Russia
PartnerAlexander Smirnov
CoachTamara Moskvina
Skating clubYubileyny Sport Club
Began skating1986
Retired22 September 2017
Medal record
Representing  Russia
Figure skating: Pairs
World Championships
2009 Los AngelesPairs
2010 TurinPairs
Grand Prix Final
2011–12 QuebecPairs
2015–16 BarcelonaPairs
World Team Trophy
2015 TokyoTeam
Representing  Japan
World Junior Championships
2001 SofiaPairs
Junior Grand Prix Final
2000–01 AyrPairs

Yuko Kavaguti (also: Kawaguchi; Japanese: Kawaguchi Yūko (川口 悠子), Russian: Юко Кавагути, born 20 November 1981) is a retired pair skater who has represented Japan and Russia in international competition. In 2006, she began competing with Alexander Smirnov for Russia. They are two-time European champions (2010, 2015), two-time World bronze medalists (2009, 2010), two-time ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalists (11–12 and 15–16), and three-time Russian national champions (2008–2010). In 2015, they became the first pair in history to complete two quadruple throw jumps in one program and the first to land a quadruple throw loop.