Japan's Midori Ito, the first female to land a triple axel in competition, was among three skaters who will be inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame, the United States Figure Skating Association said on its Web site Wednesday.
Ito, Toller Cranston, a former six-time Canadian men's champion, and Germany's Jutta Muller, who has made an impact on the sport of figure skating as a coach, will be inducted in a special ceremony during the World Figure Skating Championships taking place in Dortmund, Germany, beginning March 22.
Ito became the first female skater to land the triple axel at the 1989 worlds in Paris, where she won the gold medal. She captured the silver medal at the worlds the following year and won silver at the 1992 Winter Olympic Games.
Carnston, known for his innovative and artistic style, unique choreography and his ability as an outstanding free skater, won the bronze medal at the 1974 worlds in Germany and the gold medal in the men's event at the first-ever Skate Canada International in 1973.
In her time as an instructor, Muller coached pupils to 58 medals in European, World and Olympic championships, including two-time Olympic and world champion Katarina Witt.
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