Coach Rafael Arutyunyan Inducted Into U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame

Rafael Arutyunyan, an Armenian born in Tbilisi and raised in Armenia, is a figure skating coach working in the United States and has been officially inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony took place on January 9 in St. Louis during the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships. The U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors in the sport and is given to people who have made a major and lasting contribution to the development of figure skating in the United States and worldwide.

Arutyunyan was selected as part of the Class of 2026. He was inducted alongside legendary Olympic champion Nathan Chen, one of the most successful figure skaters in modern history. Harutyunyan and Chen worked closely together for many years and achieved strong results on the international stage, including Olympic and world-level success.

Throughout his long coaching career, Rafael Arutyunyan has trained and guided many of the most famous names in figure skating. In addition to Nathan Chen, his students have included global stars such as Michelle Kwan, Sasha Cohen, Ashley Wagner, and Mao Asada. Each of these athletes has played an important role in shaping modern figure skating, and Harutyunyan’s coaching has been a key part of their achievements.

Arutyunyan is known for his technical knowledge, discipline, and ability to help athletes perform at their best during major competitions. His work has influenced several generations of figure skaters and has helped raise the overall level of the sport.

His inclusion in the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame is a recognition of decades of dedication, hard work, and success. It also highlights the strong contribution of Armenian professionals to international sports, especially in disciplines where coaching and long-term development play a critical role.

The induction ceremony in St. Louis is an important milestone in Harutyunyan’s career and placed him among the most respected and influential figures in the history of American figure skating.

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