Sasha Cohen

Biography

Sasha Cohen was born on October 26, 1984 in Westwood, California. As a small child, she was involved in many activities such as art, dance, and sports. She has continued her interest in these activities and has taken up many new ones including ice skating and rock climbing.

At age five, Sasha began gymnastics and progressed to level 5. At the suggestion of a friend, Sasha tried ice skating for the first time. For two years, Sasha skated group lessons once or twice a week. At age 10, Sasha committed herself to the sport of ice skating and began skating seriously at this time. Preparing for her juvenile year, she learned a single axel at the age of nine, and acquired her double salchow and double toe loop by age 10. At age 11, Sasha had mastered all of her double jumps except for the double axel, which was a difficult jump for her until her novice year.

Sasha competed as a Junior Lady at the 1999 US National Championships and finished a promising second place. For the 1999-2000 season, Sasha was chosen to be on the USFSA Team B and was therefore, assigned to two international competitions.

Sasha entered the 1999-2000 competition as a senior lady after passing her senior test in the summer of 1999. Sasha had high expectations for herself and many goals she wished to accomplish. She told Blades on Ice Magazine that it was her goal to place in the top 4 at the 2000 U.S. National Championships in Cleveland, Ohio. Sasha fulfilled this expectation by placing first in the short program, second in the long program and second overall. Following her silver medal at the U.S. Championships, Sasha performed on the Tom Collins Champions on Ice Summer Tour.

Sitting out during the 2000-2001 season due to back injury, Sasha regained her health, renewed her focus and began competing again in the fall of 2001. Considered a contender for the 2002 Olympic Games, Sasha is working on becoming the first woman to land a quadruple jump in competition!

NOTES: Sasha began skating at age 7. She is on her school honor roll and has won many gymnastics awards. Her other interests are art, jewelry making, reading, and designing costumes. She admires Michelle Kwan and many other great lady skaters of the past.