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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact:  Scottie Bibb – (719) 635-5200

 

WORLD FIGURE SKATING HALL OF FAME

CLASS OF 2010 INDUCTEE ANNOUNCED

 

Colorado Springs, Colo. (February 10, 2010) – Nobuo Sato, a 10-time Japanese champion and World and Olympic coach, has been chosen for induction into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame (WHOF) Class of 2010, WHOF Chair Dr. Lawrence Mondschein announced today.

 

Sato is being inducted in the “Outstanding Contributor with a Creative Impact” category. His on-ice induction is tentatively scheduled to take place at the 2011 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Nagano, Japan.

 

“I am pleased by Mr. Sato’s election to the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame,” Mondschein said. “He continues to make significant contributions to figure skating in Japan and around the world as an Olympic and World coach. I would like to thank the nominators, nominees and electors for their continued support of the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame.”

 

Sato grew up in Osaka, Japan, and began skating at age 11. He has dedicated more than 50 years to the sport as an athlete and coach. He won a record-setting 10 Japanese championships, and competed in six World Championships and two Olympic Winter Games (1960, 1964).

 

Following his retirement, Sato began coaching. Among his many students was 1994 World champion and daughter, Yuka Sato, who was also coached by his wife and two-time Olympian Kumiko Okawa. 

 

The 68-year-old will be coaching Takahiko Kozuka in Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

For more information on the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame, please visit

http://www.worldskatingmuseum.org/WHOF.htm.

 

 

- World Figure Skating Hall of Fame -

The World Figure Skating Hall of Fame was established in 1976 to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of figure skating. Nominees may be inducted for accomplishments as competitors, coaches or other significant contributions. To be considered, a competitive nominee must be retired from eligible skating for at least five years. Nominations for the World Hall of Fame are accepted from members of the skating community and the general public. After nominations are received, formal ballots are circulated to the World Hall of Fame electors, who make the final selection for induction.