Benjamin Agosto facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benjamin Agosto
Portrait of Benjamin Agosto 2023
Personal information
Full name	Benjamin Alexandro Agosto
Country represented	United States
Born	(1982-01-15) January 15, 1982 (age 43) Chicago, Illinois
Residence	Colorado Springs, Colorado
Height	1.78 m
Partner	Tanith Belbin
Former partner	Katie Hill
Former coach	Natalia Linichuk Gennadi Karponosov Igor Shpilband Marina Zueva Elizabeth Coates
Former choreographer	Natalia Linichuk Igor Shpilband J. T. Hornstein
Skating club	Arctic FSC
Training locations	Aston, Pennsylvania Canton, Michigan
Began skating	1989
Retired	June 2010
ISU personal best scores
Combined total	221.26 2005 Worlds
Comp. dance	44.00 2005 4CC
Original dance	67.54 2005 Worlds
Free dance	111.54 2005 Worlds

Benjamin Alexandro Agosto (born January 15, 1982) is an American ice dancer. He is famous for his partnership with Tanith Belbin. Together, they won a silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics. They also earned four medals at the World Figure Skating Championships. They were champions at the Four Continents Championships three times (2004–2006). They also won the United States Figure Skating Championships five times (2004–2008).

About Benjamin Agosto

Benjamin Agosto was born on January 15, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Northbrook, Illinois. His father is from Puerto Rico, and his mother has Jewish family roots.

Benjamin went to the Chicago Waldorf School for grade school. He then attended Glenbrook North High School for two years. He graduated with honors from Groves High School in Michigan in June 2000. He even played in a high school jazz band!

He lived in Detroit, Michigan, and Canton, Michigan, before moving to Aston, Pennsylvania. Later, he moved to Lacey, Washington, and then to Scottsdale, Arizona.

Skating Career

Early Years on Ice

Benjamin started skating when he was six years old. He got a pair of ice skates for his birthday. He began ice dancing around age 12. Early in his career, he was coached by Susie Wynne.

From 1995 to 1998, he skated with Katie Hill. They competed at junior levels, even internationally. After this partnership ended, Benjamin moved to Michigan in 1998. He wanted to train with coach Igor Shpilband.

Partnering with Tanith Belbin

In 1998, Benjamin's coach paired him with Canadian skater Tanith Belbin. They quickly became a strong team. In the 1999–2000 season, they won medals in the ISU Junior Grand Prix series. They finished fourth at the JGP Final. They then won the U.S. junior national title. They also earned a bronze medal at the 2000 World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

In 2000–2001, Belbin and Agosto won gold in all three of their Junior Grand Prix events, including the Final. They moved up to the senior level at the 2001 United States Figure Skating Championships. They won a silver medal, which qualified them for their first senior World Championships. They finished 17th there.

In 2001–2002, they made their senior Grand Prix debut. They won another silver medal at the 2002 United States Figure Skating Championships. If Tanith had been an American citizen, they could have competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics. Instead, they went to other championships. They won the 2002 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, completing their collection of medals from that event. After this season, Benjamin was too old for junior competitions.

Belbin and Agosto won their first U.S. national title in 2004. They would go on to win it four more times! At the 2005 Nationals, they received perfect scores for their free dance. They received 14 perfect scores in ice dance at U.S. Nationals. This is the second highest number, only behind Michelle Kwan.

In February 2005, Belbin and Agosto organized a special skating show. It was called "Skate Aid for Tsunami Relief." The show raised over $37,000 for the Red Cross.

They won the silver medal at the 2005 World Figure Skating Championships. This helped the United States get three spots for ice dance at the Olympics. This hadn't happened since 1984. On December 28, 2005, a special law was passed. This made Tanith Belbin a US citizen. This meant she could compete for the United States at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Belbin and Agosto won the Olympic silver medal in ice dance on February 20, 2006. They were the first American ice dance team to win an Olympic medal since 1976.

For the 2006–2007 season, they started with a free dance called "That's Entertainment." They later changed it to music from "Amelie." They won gold at Nationals, silver at Four Continents, and bronze at Worlds.

In 2007–2008, they won gold medals at Skate America and Cup of China. This qualified them for the Grand Prix Final, where they won silver. They won their fifth national title. They placed fourth at the 2008 Worlds. Belbin and Agosto were often part of the "Champions on Ice" tour. They also appeared on the "Stars on Ice" tour.

In April 2008, Belbin and Agosto changed coaches. They began working with Natalia Linichuk and Gennadi Karponosov. These coaches helped them improve their technique.

In the 2008–2009 season, they won silver medals at Skate America and Cup of China. Benjamin had a back injury, so they had to withdraw from some events. But they still won a silver medal at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships.

Belbin and Agosto won both their Grand Prix events in the 2009-10 season. They won the 2009 Cup of China and the 2009 Skate America. At the 2010 United States Figure Skating Championships, they finished second. They were chosen to represent the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics. They finished fourth in the Olympic ice dancing event. They did not compete at the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships.

On June 10, 2010, Belbin and Agosto announced they were retiring from competitive skating. Since then, they have performed in professional ice shows. On December 15, 2015, they were announced as members of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. They were officially inducted on January 22, 2016.

After Competitive Skating

Benjamin Agosto now works as a coach and choreographer. He has created routines for three Disney on Ice shows. In 2014, he became the director of ice dance at the Ice Den in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Benjamin has also done voice acting for a video game. He has also appeared on television as a spokesperson for the United States Census.

Programs

(with Belbin)

Competitive Highlights

With Belbin

With Hill

See also

• List of Puerto Ricans - Sports
• List of select Jewish figure skaters
• List of Jewish Olympic medalists