Apolo Anton Ohno

Apolo Anton Ohno is a short track speed skater. He is the best in the nation and maybe the best in the world. His father, Yuki, named him, the “ap” meaning to lead, and the “lo” meaning “away from.” The “o” connects them, making his name mean “to lead away from.”

Began short track speed skating in 1995 when he was 13. Left home at age 14 to train at Lake Placid, New York. Youngest person ever to win the U.S. Championships title, at age 14. He was the winner of the World Junior Championships in 1999. He was the youngest male to win the World Cup Title, at age 17. He was the winner of the 2000/2001 World Cup in every distance and overall. In the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, he won a silver and a gold medal.