Elvin Walker ©IFS, Author at International Figure Skating

Vincent Zhou Rises Above the Challenges

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jun 5, 2020

In late 2019, Vincent Zhou surprised everyone when he took a gap year from Brown University and moved north of the border to train with Lee Barkell in Toronto.

Gold Makes a Courageous Comeback

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Apr 16, 2020

It had been three years since Gracie Gold had competed at the national level, and she had been to hell and back in the interim.

Alysa Liu Sets Sights on World Junior Podium

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Feb 25, 2020

Reigning U.S. champion, Alysa Liu will be in the hunt for a medal at the 2020 World Junior Championships, which take place in Tallinn, Estonia, March 2-8.

Meryl Davis Shines Bright in Second Act

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Feb 23, 2020

Closing the competitive door after capturing the 2014 Olympic ice dance title opened many others for Meryl Davis.

Chen Joins Elite Group With U.S. Championships Victory

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 26, 2020

Nathan Chen captured his fourth consecutive U.S. men’s title in fine style, setting a new record and joining an elite group of former U.S. champions.

Chock and Bates Claim U.S. Ice Dance Crown

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 26, 2020

Five years after capturing their first U.S. ice dance title, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, repeated that feat in the same arena where they won their first.

Knierims Mine Pairs Gold in Greensboro

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 26, 2020

Alexa and Christopher Knierim captured their third national pairs title at the 2020 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Greensboro on Saturday night.

Nathan Chen En Route to National Title

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 25, 2020

In search of a fourth consecutive title, Nathan Chen sits in first after the men’s short program at the 2020 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Liu Captures Second U.S. Crown

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 25, 2020

Defending champion Alysa Liu staved off a career-best challenge from Mariah Bell, who brought down the house with her transformative performance.

Tennell Shows Her Sass at U.S. Nationals

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 24, 2020

Bradie Tennell brought her sass to the short program at 2020 U.S. Championships and leads heading into the free skate on Friday evening.

Stephen Gogolev Moves South of the Border

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 1, 2020

Canada’s teenage phenom, Stephen Gogolev, will be chasing a podium finish at 2020 Canadian nationals.

Anna Shcherbakova Steals Las Vegas Show

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Oct 20, 2019

Russia’s 15-year-old Anna Shcherbakova announced her arrival on the senior Grand Prix circuit at 2019 Skate America.

Chen, Tennell Claim Top Spots

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Oct 19, 2019

The 2019 Grand Prix Series kicked off with Skate America in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Friday...

Donovan Carrillo: Blazing a Mexican Trail

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jul 21, 2019

Mexico’s Donovan Carrillo is blazing a new trail for his country — one he hopes will be the starting point for future generations to follow.

Nguyen-Kolesnik: Golden Ambitions

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Mar 1, 2019

American ice dancers Avonley Nguyen and Vadym Kolesnik are hoping to dance to the top of the podium at the World Junior Championships next week.

Chock & Bates Victorious in Anaheim

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Feb 10, 2019

Madison Chock and Evan Bates captured the ice dance title at 2019 Four Continents, their first in five appearances at the event.

Uno Crowned Four Continents Champion

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Feb 10, 2019

Shoma Uno captured the 2019 Four Continents crown, the first Championship victory of his career.

Sui Han Mine Four Continents Gold

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Feb 9, 2019

Sui Han mine Four Continents gold by 0.06 of a point over their Canadian rivals.

Rika Kihira Claims Four Continents Title

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Feb 9, 2019

Japan’s Rika Kihira climbed to the top of the Four Continents podium and claimed her first Championships gold medal.

Americans Lead at Four Continents

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Feb 8, 2019

All four champions from last season are back to defend their titles at the 2019 Four Continents Championships.

Nathan Chen Scores Landslide Victory

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 27, 2019

Nathan Chen ran away with his third consecutive U.S. title on Sunday afternoon, outdistancing his closest competitor by 58.21 points.

Cain-LeDuc Strike Gold in Detroit

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 27, 2019

Hard work and dedication paid off for Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc who claimed their first national title last night.

Nathan Chen Stakes Claim for Gold

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 27, 2019

Reigning World champion Nathan Chen began his campaign for a third consecutive U.S. title in impressive fashion.

Hubbell-Donohue InSync

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 27, 2019

Defending champions Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue claimed top spot in the rhythm dance at the 2019 U.S. Championships.

Alysa Liu Crowned U.S. Champion

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 26, 2019

Alysa Liu, 13, landed two triple Axels on her way to victory at the 2019 U.S. Championships ahead of Bradie Tennell and Mariah Bell.

Tennell Makes Strong Statement in Short

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 25, 2019

Bradie Tennell is looking to become the first lady to win back-to-back titles since Ashley Wagner in 2012 and 2013.

Amber Glenn Aiming For Top Four in Detroit

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 23, 2019

Five years have passed since Amber Glenn captured the U.S. junior ladies title in Boston. When she...

Ashley Wagner on the Road to Recovery

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Dec 29, 2018

Life changed in an unexpected way for Ashley Wagner following her long program at the 2018 U.S. Championships.

Starr Andrews Chasing Olympic Dream

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Dec 27, 2018

Starr Andrews wants to make history as the first African American lady to capture a gold medal at an Olympic Winter Games.

Satoko Miyahara: Skate America Golden Girl

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Oct 21, 2018

The 2018 edition of Skate America drew to a close on a typically foggy day in Everett. While the weather was chilly outside, the ladies and ice dancers heated the arena with some great skating for early in the season.

Satoko Miyahara Steals the Show

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Oct 21, 2018

Skating last but finishing in first place, Satoko Miyahara led the charge of three Japanese ladies who occupy three of the top four spots after the short program.

Nathan Chen Captures Skate America Title

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Oct 20, 2018

Reigning World champion Nathan Chen easily captured the men’s title, winning the gold medal by more than 41 points over silver medalist Michal Březina of the Czech Republic.

Tarasova Morozov Mine Everett Gold

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Oct 20, 2018

Russia′s Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov capture gold at 2018 Skate America.

Solid Lead for Chen After Short Program

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Oct 20, 2018

Reigning World champion Nathan Chen of the U.S. leads after short program.

New Season New Rules

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Sep 19, 2018

An overview of the rule changes adopted by the 2018 International Skating Union Congress.

Team USA Develops Youthful Strategy

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jun 30, 2018

The 2017-2018 season was a mixed bag for Team USA. It was the kind of year an American team would expect from a post-Olympic rebuilding season, not one in prime time.

Nathan Chen Dominant in San Jose

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 7, 2018

It was a roller coaster ride at the 2018 U.S. Championships for a number of the top men. Nathan Chen claimed his second title, leaving the rest of the field in his dust.

Knierims Twirl to Pairs Gold

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 6, 2018

Alexa Scimeca-Knierim and Chris Knierim captured the pairs title this afternoon at the 2018 U.S. Championships.

Tennell Captures 2018 U.S. Crown

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 6, 2018

It was a night of fairy tales and of shattered dreams at the 2018 U.S. Championships. Top honors went to Bradie Tennell, Mirai Nagasu and Karen Chen.

US Men Bring Down the House

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 5, 2018

Always one of the marquee events at the U.S. Championships, the senior men did not disappoint last night in San Jose.

Knierims Lead Pairs Charge

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 5, 2018

After missing last season’s competition due to illness, 2015 national pairs champions Alexa Scimeca-Knierim and Chris Knierim rose to the occasion and topped the field after the short program.

Tennell Sets Standard in Short Program

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 4, 2018

The competition was fierce as the ladies began their quest at the 2018 U.S. Championships to claim one of three berths on the U.S. Olympic team.

Zhou Looks to Impress on Home Ice

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Nov 14, 2017

Before the 2017 U.S. Championships, few would have thought Vincent Zhou would be adding a silver medal to his trophy case.

Ponomarenko Continues a Family Tradition

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jun 15, 2017

Anthony Ponomarenko and his partner Christina Carreira plan to dance to their own rhythm at their own pace.

Junior Stars Shine in Kansas City

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 30, 2017

There was no shortage of talent or competitive spirit in the junior ranks at the 2017 U.S. Championships.

Nathan Chen Makes History

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 22, 2017

Nathan Chen landed five quads in his free skate, something no other man on the planet has ever done.

Karen Chen Steals the Show

By Elvin Walker ©IFS | Jan 22, 2017

Before the 2017 U.S. Championships began, few could have predicted the outcome of the ladies event. It was a night of great comebacks, redemption, disappointment, and of the birth of a new champion.