Yuko Kavaguti

Yuko Kavaguti , born November 20, 1981– ), also known as , is a Japanese-Russian Olympic athlete and international ice skating competitor.
In December 2008, she became a Russian citizen and her Russian name is Kavaguti. Kawaguchi gave up her Japanese citizenship. 
Early life.
Kawaguchi was born in Funabashi, Chiba in Japan. She began skating at the age of five because her mother was a fan of ice dancing. 
She studied international relations at St. Petersburg State University, completing her degree in June 2007. In addition to her native Japanese, she is also fluent in Russian and English. 
Career.
In international competition, Kavaguti is pairs skater. She represents Russia with Alexander Smirnov. 
Kavaguti became a Russian citizen so that she would qualify for a spot on the Russian Olympic team. Japan does not allow dual nationality, so she was obliged to give up her Japanese citizenship in order to compete for Russia. 
Kawaguchi.
As a Japanese citizen, Kawaguchi competed as a singles skater. She switched to pairs after the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. 
Kavaguti.
As a Russian citizen, Kavagui has won many medals, including gold at 2008 Skate Canada International. 
Kavaguti was a partner in the pairs team which won the 2010 European Figure Skating Championships, Kavaguti and Smirnov won the 2010 Cup of Russia, They placed third in the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships.
Kavaguti and her partner won the 2011 Cup of China and the 2011 NHK Trophy.