Part of


the family Japanese offi cial fi nds a home


with U.S. Figure Skating BY TROY SCHWINDT Once former Japanese skater and offi cial


Atsushi Usuda became comfortable with his new job and life in the United States, he con- tacted U.S. Figure Skating President Samuel Auxier to see if there might be a role for him. More than three years later, Usuda has


served on technical panels for several non- qualifying competitions, and worked his fi rst qualifying competition at the Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships. “T e main diff erence is language,”


Usuda, who attended the 2017 U.S. Cham- pionships in Kansas City, Missouri, said. “When I judged or when I called something as a specialist in Japan, everything was done in Japanese, but here it’s in English. To serve as a specialist here, I had to go to a technical seminar (Dallas 2015) and had to get an appointment. At the time, I didn’t know any- body else, except for Ann Barr (Midwestern Sectional Vice Chair on the Technical Panel Committee). It was my fi rst time to call elements in English, so it made me really feel nervous. But everyone helped me to improve my pronunciations so I got it (appointment). Everybody has really helped me and wel- comed me and I have enjoyed serving.” Usuda started skating when he was 5


years old and continued until he graduat- ed from Keio University with a degree in fi nance. He competed at the 2001–05 Jap- anese national championships, with his best fi nish, 15th, coming prior to the Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. Instead of turning pro, Usuda became a judge and technical specialist in Japan in 2008. For the next fi ve years, he worked as a skating offi cial in his native country. In 2013, his employer, Deloitte &


Touche, sent him to work in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he’s an auditor. It’s a four- year assignment that’s scheduled to end this summer. Usuda is a certifi ed public accoun- tant and is trilingual (Japanese, English and Chinese). Barr and Dana Graham were instru-


mental from the beginning in getting Usuda involved in U.S. Figure Skating. “I helped him integrate into the


system by fi nding a club (Fort Wayne ISC),


attending technical seminars and offi ciating at competitions,” Barr said. “Atsushi worked really hard to learn correct pronunciations — we have a few jokes about that! — and to become a real U.S. caller. It didn’t take long for him to be asked to offi ciate at many com- petitions, because he is so personable and enjoyable to work with. Also, he has been most helpful providing information about the Japanese competition structure. He is a great addition to our offi cials.” “Everyone has great aff ection and


respect for Atsushi,” Barr added. “Atsushi has spent the past two Christmas holidays with us and we consider him part of our family, and we will all be sad when he has to return to Japan.” Graham, who worked with Usuda on technical panels in North Carolina, said it’s been a treat to know and work alongside Usuda.


“He’s always well-prepared, very positive


and a wonderful team member,” Graham said. “I’m grateful for his contributions to


our skaters here in the U.S.” When he does return to Japan, Usuda


plans to share all of his observations and ex- periences as part of U.S. Figure Skating with his Japanese federation colleagues, such as how U.S. Figure Skating organizes its compe- titions and how it entertains an audience. He also plans to emphasize to the


Japanese federation the need for increased teaching and education when it comes to pairs skaters and ice dancers in Japan. Usuda will also, no doubt, talk up


Nathan Chen after watching him in Kansas City.


“Last night, Nathan was really great,”


Usuda said of Chen’s short program. “In Japan, we have a lot of great skaters such as Yuzuru Hanyu and Shoma Uno. Before com- ing to this competition, I knew Nathan was a good skater, but I felt Yuzuru and Shoma should be able to skate as well as Nathan. But after watching Nathan’s short program, I’m kind of afraid because he skated very well. I can’t wait to see them all compete at Worlds.”


SKATING 49


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