Julia Sebestyen
Encyclopedia
Júlia Sebestyén (ˈjuːliɒ ˈʃɛbɛʃceːn; born May 14, 1981 in Miskolc
, Hungary) is a Hungarian figure skater
. She is the 2004 European Champion
and 2002-2010 Hungarian national champion
. At the 2004 European Figure Skating Championships
, she became the first Hungarian woman to win the European title. She is also 4-time Hungarian Olympic team member, and was Hungary's flag-bearer at the 2010 Olympics.
. When she was 13, she moved to Budapest
where she had better training conditions. Her former coach was András Száraz
.
Sebestyén began competing on the senior international level in 1995. She made her senior ISU Championship debut at the 1995 European Figure Skating Championships
, where she placed 15th. She competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics
and placed 15th. In the 1998-1999 post-Olympic season, Sebestyen competed on both the Junior Grand Prix and at senior ISU championships. She made her senior Grand Prix debut in the 1999-2000 season. During summers, she trained in Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, England and the United States due to lack of ice time in Hungary. In 2000, the Budapest ice rink burned down, forcing her to train at an outdoor rink in a city park.
Sebestyén competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics
and placed 8th; she was also 8th at that season's Worlds
. The next season, she earned her first European Championships
medal, a bronze. In 2004, she won the 2004 European Figure Skating Championships
, becoming the first Hungarian woman to win that competition. Although Hungarian women had won the World Figure Skating Championships
, the European Championships were not established at that time. She later finished 6th at the 2004 Worlds
, which would prove to be her best result in that event.
Sebestyén competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics
, where she placed 18th. She changed coaches to Gurgen Vardanjan shortly after the 2005-2006 season. Her 2006-2007 season got off to a good start; she won the 2006 Cup of China
and was the silver medalist at the 2006 Cup of Russia
. This qualified Sebestyén for the 2006-2007 Grand Prix Final, where she placed 6th. She was 9th at the 2007 European Figure Skating Championships
and 12th at the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships
.
Sebestyén suffered a foot injury toward the end of the 2008-09 season, and was unable to compete at 2009 Worlds. As a result, she had to qualify for the Olympics via the 2009 Nebelhorn Trophy
, which she was able to accomplish with a 4th-place showing. At the 2009 Skate America
, she earned her first Grand Prix medal since 2006, a bronze. Sebestyén, now in her fourth Olympics, was chosen to be Hungary's flag bearer
at the opening ceremony. She finished in 17th place at the Olympics
, with a total score of 151.26. The final event of Sebestyén's competitive career was the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships
, where she placed 15th.
Sebestyén continues to skate in shows and other events, such as the 2010 Japan Open.
Miskolc
Miskolc is a city in northeastern Hungary, mainly with heavy industrial background. With a population close to 170,000 Miskolc is the fourth largest city of Hungary It is also the county capital of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and the regional centre of Northern Hungary.- Geography :Miskolc is located...
, Hungary) is a Hungarian figure skater
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
. She is the 2004 European Champion
European Figure Skating Championships
The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion...
and 2002-2010 Hungarian national champion
Hungarian Figure Skating Championships
The Hungarian Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Hungary. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing...
. At the 2004 European Figure Skating Championships
2004 European Figure Skating Championships
The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion. Skaters compete in the categories of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....
, she became the first Hungarian woman to win the European title. She is also 4-time Hungarian Olympic team member, and was Hungary's flag-bearer at the 2010 Olympics.
Career
Júlia Sebestyén began skating at the age of three, practicing on the outdoor ice rink TiszaújvárosTiszaújváros
Tiszaújváros is an industrial town in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, Northern Hungary, south-east of Miskolc, near the river Tisza.Tiszaújváros owes its existence to the industrialization wave that took over the then-socialist Hungary after World War II...
. When she was 13, she moved to Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
where she had better training conditions. Her former coach was András Száraz
András Száraz
András Száraz is a Hungarian former figure skater and current coach. He is an eight-time Hungarian champion in singles. After his competitive career, he became a coach alongside fellow skater and ladies' national champion Eszter Jurek...
.
Sebestyén began competing on the senior international level in 1995. She made her senior ISU Championship debut at the 1995 European Figure Skating Championships
1995 European Figure Skating Championships
The 1995 European Figure Skating Championships were the European Figure Skating Championships of the 1995-1996 season. Elite senior-level figure skaters from European ISU Member Nations competed for the title of European Champion...
, where she placed 15th. She competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
and placed 15th. In the 1998-1999 post-Olympic season, Sebestyen competed on both the Junior Grand Prix and at senior ISU championships. She made her senior Grand Prix debut in the 1999-2000 season. During summers, she trained in Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, England and the United States due to lack of ice time in Hungary. In 2000, the Budapest ice rink burned down, forcing her to train at an outdoor rink in a city park.
Sebestyén competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
and placed 8th; she was also 8th at that season's Worlds
2002 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. This event is considered the most prestigious of the ISU Championships. The 2002 Worlds were held in...
. The next season, she earned her first European Championships
2003 European Figure Skating Championships
The European Figure Skating Championships are an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion. Skaters compete in the categories of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....
medal, a bronze. In 2004, she won the 2004 European Figure Skating Championships
2004 European Figure Skating Championships
The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion. Skaters compete in the categories of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....
, becoming the first Hungarian woman to win that competition. Although Hungarian women had won the World Figure Skating Championships
World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion...
, the European Championships were not established at that time. She later finished 6th at the 2004 Worlds
2004 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. This event is considered the most prestigious of the ISU Championships...
, which would prove to be her best result in that event.
Sebestyén competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
, where she placed 18th. She changed coaches to Gurgen Vardanjan shortly after the 2005-2006 season. Her 2006-2007 season got off to a good start; she won the 2006 Cup of China
2006 Cup of China
The Cup of China, or ISU Grand Prix Cup of China was the third event of six in the 2006–2007 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Elite figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....
and was the silver medalist at the 2006 Cup of Russia
2006 Cup of Russia
The Cup of Russia, or ISU Grand Prix Cup of Russia, is an event in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. It was the fifth of the six events of the 2006–2007 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating...
. This qualified Sebestyén for the 2006-2007 Grand Prix Final, where she placed 6th. She was 9th at the 2007 European Figure Skating Championships
2007 European Figure Skating Championships
The 2007 European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion. Skaters compete in the categories of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....
and 12th at the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships
2007 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. This event is considered the most prestigious of the ISU Championships. Skaters compete in the...
.
Sebestyén suffered a foot injury toward the end of the 2008-09 season, and was unable to compete at 2009 Worlds. As a result, she had to qualify for the Olympics via the 2009 Nebelhorn Trophy
2009 Nebelhorn Trophy
The 2009 Nebelhorn Trophy was the Nebelhorn Trophy figure skating competition of the 2009-2010 figure skating season. It served as the final Olympic qualifier to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Skaters competed in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.The event...
, which she was able to accomplish with a 4th-place showing. At the 2009 Skate America
2009 Skate America
- External links :* *...
, she earned her first Grand Prix medal since 2006, a bronze. Sebestyén, now in her fourth Olympics, was chosen to be Hungary's flag bearer
2010 Winter Olympics national flag bearers
During the Parade of Nations at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, held beginning at 6:00 PM PST on February 12, 2010, 82 athletes bearing the flags of their respective nations led their national delegations as they paraded into BC Place Stadium in the host city of Vancouver, British...
at the opening ceremony. She finished in 17th place at the Olympics
Figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Ladies' singles
The ladies' single skating competition of the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The short program was held on February 23, 2010, with the free skating held on February 25, 2010.-Short program:...
, with a total score of 151.26. The final event of Sebestyén's competitive career was the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships
2010 World Figure Skating Championships
The 2010 World Figure Skating Championships were the World Figure Skating Championships for the 2009–2010 season. Commonly called "Worlds", they are an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion...
, where she placed 15th.
Sebestyén continues to skate in shows and other events, such as the 2010 Japan Open.
Programs
| Season | Short Program | Free Skating |
|---|---|---|
| 2009-2010 | Song from a Secret Garden by Secret Garden Secret Garden (duo) Secret Garden is an award-winning Irish-Norwegian duo playing New Instrumental Music, also sometimes erroneously known as Neo-classical music.Secret Garden features the Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry and the Norwegian composer/pianist Rolf Løvland... Libertango Libertango Libertango is a composition by tango composer Ástor Piazzolla, recorded and published in 1974.The title is a portmanteau merging "Libertad" and "Tango", symbolizing Piazzolla's break from Classical Tango to Tango Nuevo.... by Ástor Piazzolla Ástor Piazzolla Ástor Pantaleón Piazzolla was an Argentine tango composer and bandoneón player. His oeuvre revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed nuevo tango, incorporating elements from jazz and classical music... performed by Bond Bond (band) Bond is an Australian/British string quartet that specialises in classical crossover music... |
Selection of Music by Raúl di Blasio Raúl di Blasio Raúl di Blasio is an Argentine latin jazz and easy listening pianist.- Life :Born in Zapala, Argentina, Raúl Di Blasio showed a great interest in piano at the age of six. After his parents' recommendations that he should study music, he began to pursue piano as a career.Di Blasio practiced piano... |
| 2008-2009 | Song from a Secret Garden by Secret Garden Secret Garden (duo) Secret Garden is an award-winning Irish-Norwegian duo playing New Instrumental Music, also sometimes erroneously known as Neo-classical music.Secret Garden features the Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry and the Norwegian composer/pianist Rolf Løvland... Libertango Libertango Libertango is a composition by tango composer Ástor Piazzolla, recorded and published in 1974.The title is a portmanteau merging "Libertad" and "Tango", symbolizing Piazzolla's break from Classical Tango to Tango Nuevo.... by Ástor Piazzolla Ástor Piazzolla Ástor Pantaleón Piazzolla was an Argentine tango composer and bandoneón player. His oeuvre revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed nuevo tango, incorporating elements from jazz and classical music... performed by Bond Bond (band) Bond is an Australian/British string quartet that specialises in classical crossover music... |
Selection of Music by Edvin Marton Edvin Marton Edvin Marton is a Ukrainian composer and violinist of Hungarian ethnicity. He became known as the violinist of the skaters, mainly because Evgeni Plushenko, Stéphane Lambiel, and other famous skaters often skated to his music.- Biography :He was born in an area of Ukraine largely inhabited by... |
Competitive highlights
Júlia Sebestyén has had a long competitive career. Her competitive highlights by season are split up into the tables below.Post-2004
| Event | 2004-2005 | 2005-2006 | 2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympics Winter Olympic Games The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating... |
18th | 17th | ||||
| World Championships World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion... |
12th | 22nd | 12th | 11th | 15th | |
| European Championships European Figure Skating Championships The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion... |
4th | 14th | 9th | 4th | 8th | 6th |
| Hungarian Championships Hungarian Figure Skating Championships The Hungarian Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Hungary. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing... |
1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| Grand Prix Final Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final The Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final is an international, senior-level figure skating competition. It is the culmination of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Skaters compete in men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.... |
6th | |||||
| Cup of Russia Cup of Russia The Cup of Russia is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. It was held as the Rostelecom Cup in 2009 after... |
3rd | 6th | 2nd | 7th | 7th | 6th |
| Skate America Skate America Skate America is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. It is organized by the United States Figure Skating Association. The location changes yearly... |
8th | 3rd | ||||
| Cup of China Cup of China The Cup of China is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The location changes yearly. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.The Cup of China is... |
1st | 5th | ||||
| Skate Canada Skate Canada International The Skate Canada International is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition organized by Skate Canada. It is the second competition of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The location changes yearly. Medals are awarded in four disciplines: Ladies' singles, Men's... |
6th | |||||
| Trophée Lalique | 3rd | |||||
| Nebelhorn Trophy Nebelhorn Trophy The Nebelhorn Trophy is an international senior-level figure skating competition organized by the Deutsche Eislauf-Union and held annually in Oberstdorf, Germany. The competition is named after the Nebelhorn, a nearby mountain.... |
4th | |||||
| Crystal Skate of Romania Crystal Skate of Romania The Crystal Skate of Romania is an annual senior-level international figure skating competition, held in Romania. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles and ladies singles. The Crystal Skate of Romania has been held annually since 1999 and was also used certain years as the Romanian... |
1st | |||||
| Golden Spin of Zagreb Golden Spin of Zagreb The Golden Spin of Zagreb is an annual senior-level figure skating competition, held yearly in Zagreb, Croatia. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing, although, in some years, not every discipline was included in the program.The 2001... |
1st | |||||
| Ondrej Nepela Memorial Ondrej Nepela Memorial The Ondrej Nepela Memorial is an annual senior-level international figure skating competition held in Slovakia. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pairs, and ice dancing. In some years, some disciplines have not been held.... |
1st | 2nd | 1st | |||
| Finlandia Trophy Finlandia Trophy The Finlandia Trophy is an annual senior-level international figure skating competition, held in Finland. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating and ice dancing, although not every discipline has been included in every year... |
3rd | |||||
1999-2004
| Event | 1999-2000 | 2000-2001 | 2001-2002 | 2002-2003 | 2003-2004 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympics Winter Olympic Games The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating... |
8th | ||||
| World Championships World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion... |
7th | 18th | 8th | 14th | 6th |
| European Championships European Figure Skating Championships The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion... |
6th | 6th | 10th | 3rd | 1st |
| Hungarian Championships Hungarian Figure Skating Championships The Hungarian Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Hungary. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing... |
2nd | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| Grand Prix Final Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final The Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final is an international, senior-level figure skating competition. It is the culmination of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Skaters compete in men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.... |
6th | ||||
| Cup of Russia Cup of Russia The Cup of Russia is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. It was held as the Rostelecom Cup in 2009 after... |
8th | ||||
| Skate America Skate America Skate America is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. It is organized by the United States Figure Skating Association. The location changes yearly... |
5th | 6th | 8th | ||
| Skate Canada Skate Canada International The Skate Canada International is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition organized by Skate Canada. It is the second competition of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The location changes yearly. Medals are awarded in four disciplines: Ladies' singles, Men's... |
6th | 3rd | |||
| Trophée Lalique | 3rd | ||||
| NHK Trophy NHK Trophy The NHK Trophy is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.... |
7th | 5th | |||
| Ondrej Nepela Memorial Ondrej Nepela Memorial The Ondrej Nepela Memorial is an annual senior-level international figure skating competition held in Slovakia. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pairs, and ice dancing. In some years, some disciplines have not been held.... |
1st | 3rd | |||
| Finlandia Trophy Finlandia Trophy The Finlandia Trophy is an annual senior-level international figure skating competition, held in Finland. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating and ice dancing, although not every discipline has been included in every year... |
6th | ||||
| Karl Schäfer Memorial Karl Schäfer Memorial The Karl Schäfer Memorial is an annual elite senior-level figure skating competition held in Vienna, Austria. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dance. The competition is named for figure skater Karl Schäfer. The competition is usually held in... |
3rd | 2nd | |||
| Skate Israel Skate Israel Skate Israel is a senior-level international figure skating competition, held in Metulla, Israel. Skaters compete in four disciplines: ladies and men's singles, pairs and ice dancing... |
2nd | ||||
| Golden Spin of Zagreb Golden Spin of Zagreb The Golden Spin of Zagreb is an annual senior-level figure skating competition, held yearly in Zagreb, Croatia. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing, although, in some years, not every discipline was included in the program.The 2001... |
3rd | ||||
Pre-1999
| Event | 1994-1995 | 1995-1996 | 1996-1997 | 1997-1998 | 1998-1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympics Winter Olympic Games The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating... |
15th | ||||
| World Championships World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion... |
19th | 19th | |||
| European Championships European Figure Skating Championships The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion... |
15th | 17th | 6th | ||
| World Junior Championships World Junior Figure Skating Championships The World Junior Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which younger figure skaters compete for the title of World Junior Champion... |
21st | 14th | 9th | ||
| Hungarian Championships Hungarian Figure Skating Championships The Hungarian Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Hungary. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing... |
2nd | 3rd | 2nd | ||
| Nebelhorn Trophy Nebelhorn Trophy The Nebelhorn Trophy is an international senior-level figure skating competition organized by the Deutsche Eislauf-Union and held annually in Oberstdorf, Germany. The competition is named after the Nebelhorn, a nearby mountain.... |
4th | ||||
| Junior Grand Prix, Hungary ISU Junior Grand Prix The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating is a series of international invitational junior level competitions organized by the International Skating Union. Junior figure skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing... |
2nd | 1st | |||
| Junior Grand Prix, Mexico 1998-1999 ISU Junior Grand Prix The 1998–1999 ISU Junior Grand Prix was the second season of the ISU Junior Grand Prix, a series of international junior level competitions organized by the International Skating Union. It was the junior-level complement to the Grand Prix of Figure Skating, which was for senior-level skaters... |
6th | ||||
| Junior Grand Prix, Germany | 13th | ||||