Michael "Misha" Shmerkin (; born 5 February 1970) is an Israeli former competitive figure skater. He is a two-time Skate Canada International silver medalist (1994 and 1995), 1993 Ondrej Nepela Memorial champion, and 1995 Skate Israel champion. He competed in the final segment at two Winter Olympics (1994, 1998), six World Championships, and four European Championships. He is currently a figure skating teacher/coach for many young adults and children . He is located in Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York. He was the first Israeli ever to compete in the Winter Olympics.
Career Early in his career, Shmerkin competed internationally for the Soviet Union, most notably at the 1984 World Junior Championships, where he placed fifth.
Shmerkin moved with his family to Israel in 1991, and Shmerkin began representing his new country in international competition.
At the 1994 Winter Olympics, where he placed 16th, Shmerkin became the first athlete of any discipline to represent Israel at the Winter Olympic Games. He placed 18th at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
In the late 1990s he skated to Jewish songs and had a tallis and menorah embroidered on his costume.
He retired from competitive skating following the 2001/2002 season.
Shmerkin currently coaches in New York.
Programs Season Short program Free skating 2000–2002 Russian gypsy dance Swing
Competitive highlights GP: Champions Series (Grand Prix)
International Event 90–91 91–92 92–93 93–94 94–95 95–96 96–97 97–98 98–99 01–02 Olympics 16th 18th Worlds 19th 14th 11th 11th 15th 15th 35th 33rd Europeans 14th 13th 19th 20th 25th Nations Cup 6th 8th NHK Trophy 10th Skate Canada 2nd 2nd Golden Spin 8th 5th Moscow News 9th 2nd Nations Cup 5th Nepela Memorial 1st NHK Trophy 5th Piruetten 6th Skate America 7th Skate Canada 2nd Skate Israel 1st 2nd 8th 3rd National Israeli Champ. 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st Soviet Champ. 5th
See also List of select Jewish figure skaters
References
External links
Skate.org bio Jews in Sports bio "Jewish Life at the Olympics"