Midori Ito Conquers The Triple Axel | Impossible Moments

After faltering in her first attempt, Japan’s Midori Ito became the first woman to land a triple axel at the Olympic Winter Games.

The Olympic Winter Games is where the Impossible Happens. Relive those moments where athletes left us awestruck.
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[gertieshaw]

I recall an interview where she (very sadly) said that she'd never be very famous or wealthy because her face wasn't pretty enough and her legs were too short. It was shocking for all the little girls watching and listening to this accomplished atlete, that no matter how much a woman excells as an athlete it mattered for nothing if her legs weren't long enough or a face had acne or "not pretty enough", which isn't true, midori's lovely and sweet. I wonder if she would've been a gold medal winner if she had longer legs tho because the judges are so very cruel that way, they score a woman low in artistic merit if they don't like a reputation or a costume or the way you look. Midori forever.

[nangmanitne]

Queen of Axel. Her axels are strong than male's.

[aracelichely]

Her height on that triple axels was insane! 😱

[lsrasr]

There is a terrific documentary Japanese video with english subtitles on Midori which includes Midori interviews. The video must be around 11 years old or so. In it Midori talks about why she had to do a triple axel. She said that Katarina Witt was Olympic champion in 1988 doing 2 triple jumps. Midori did 5 different types of triple jumps at the Calgary Olympics and came fifth. She then decided she had to reactivate the triple axel. The video said at age 15 she fractured her ankle attempting a triple axel and her coach had then forbidden it. But she now wanted to win at the World Level and believed she needed the triple axel to do it. One of her goals was to attempt the triple axel at the next Olympic Games. So she reactivated it and landed one at the Paris World Championships in 1989 to help her win the World Championship. And of course she landed the incredible triple axel at Albertville. A truly amazing lady.

[gyoroon]

She was *born to make history*, I guess

[giocurve]

I Love Midori Ito... she was Tonya Harding arch nemesis on the triple axel. But Midori was the first woman who landed the triple axel in History and the first to do it at the Olympic Games in Albertville 1992. No one can take that title away from her! You rock Midori! 🇯🇵👏👏🇯🇵

[fsutaria]

It was an even greater feat because she did not let the 1st failed attempt deter her from making the successful second attempt.

[valerianaranjocruz]

Midori's 3A is the prettiest (looks the highest, but that might be because she was really tiny, 145 cm), and Mao's 3A is the most consistent. Wow Japan, what do you feed them?

[Joy-iiid]

It brought tears to my eyes seeing her laugh when she successfully landed the 3A... what a height she jumped 👏👏👏

[Fedeilfico]

28 years later, we’re still talking about her and what she was capable to do. If this isn’t the sign of a myth... You’re unforgettable Midori since you’re history.

[ArtByDesign]

The fact she landed it 3 minutes into her program is INCREDIBLE!!

[myotherhalf]

This is honestly what practically all athletes fight for. Not to say you do a sport solely for making history, but being able to push one's self to the point of being the first in the world to accomplish something is a high that nothing can match.


So proud of Midori for advancing the sport forward.

[treelo]

Look at the massive height she achieves. Legend.

[e.i.]

Ever noticed most of the women who have landed the 3A in competition and all of those who have landed it at the Olympics (Midori, Mao and Mirai) are of Japanese descent?

[ep]

Her jumps were soooo powerful and explosive, just insane

[jennifer]

First woman to do a triple axel! Amazing

[gilbertlaylay]

No one will ever jump like Midori ito!

[tommyo]

That smile though after nailing it! Beautiful.. That was a memorable moment and she is a legendary athlete..

[jlee]

Still the best triple axel I’ve ever seen among female skaters (and most male skaters too)!!! The height of that jump just blows me away.

[brazukha]

A legend ❤️ Best lady's triple AXEL jumper of all the time. She did it so many times clean and so height