Charlie White facts for kids
Charlie White is a famous ice dancer from the United States. He skates with his partner, Meryl Davis. They have been skating together for a very long time, since 1997! This makes them the longest-lasting ice dancing team in the United States.
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Who is Charlie White?
Charlie White is known for his amazing skills on the ice. He and Meryl Davis have achieved many great things in their sport. They started competing at a young age and quickly became top athletes.
Early Success in Ice Dancing
Charlie and Meryl first made a big splash in 2006. They won the junior title at the United States national championships. This means they were the best junior team in the country.
Later that same year, they won a bronze medal (third place) at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships. This competition brings together the best young skaters from all over the world.
In 2006, Charlie and Meryl also became the first team ever to earn the highest level of difficulty for one of their skating programs. This happened at an event called the NHK Trophy. It showed everyone how talented and innovative they were.
Moving Up to the Senior Level
In 2007, Charlie and Meryl moved up to the senior level of competition. This is the highest level in figure skating. They won the bronze medal at the US national championships that year.
They also competed at the World Championships, where they finished in 7th place. This was a fantastic result for a team in their first year at the senior World Championships. It was the best finish for a US team in this situation since 1980!
Coaching and Training
Charlie and Meryl work with expert coaches to help them improve. Their main coaches are Igor Shpilband and Marina Zueva. These coaches help them create their routines and perfect their moves.
Before Ice Dancing
Before focusing only on ice dancing, Charlie White was also a single skater. He even competed internationally by himself. He also played hockey at a national level.
However, Charlie decided to focus completely on ice dancing in 2006. This was after he broke his ankle while playing hockey, which made him and Meryl miss part of their 2004-2005 skating season. He chose to put all his energy into becoming the best ice dancer he could be.