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Mitchell Islam

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Mitchell Islam
Paul and Islam at 2010 Junior Worlds
Born (1990-01-24) January 24, 1990 (age 34)
Barrie, Ontario
Height1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Figure skating career
CountryCanada
CoachMarie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon, Romain Haguenauer, Pasquale Camerlengo, Anjelika Krylova, David Islam, Kelly Johnson, Pavol Porac, Tyler Myles
Skating clubBarrie SC
Gadbois Centre
Detroit Skating Club
Began skating1993
RetiredDecember 15, 2016
Medal record
Figure skating: Ice dancing
Representing  Canada
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2010 The Hague Ice dancing

Mitchell Islam (born January 24, 1990) is a Canadian former competitive ice dancer. He teamed up with partner Alexandra Paul in 2009. They are the 2010 World Junior silver medalists, 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy bronze medalists, and three-time Canadian national bronze medalists (2011, 2014, 2015). They competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Career

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Early career

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From 2000 through 2008, Islam competed with Joanna Lenko.[1] They trained at the Mariposa School of Skating,[2] coached by Mitchell Islam's father, David.[1]

In the 2006–07 ISU Junior Grand Prix season, Lenko/Islam were 5th in the Netherlands and won a silver medal in Hungary. After taking silver on the junior level at the 2007 Canadian Championships, they were assigned to the 2007 World Junior Championships but withdrew after the original dance due to Lenko's illness.[3]

Lenko/Islam won a pair of medals in the 2007–08 ISU Junior Grand Prix — silver in the U.S. and bronze in Estonia — which qualified the team for the 2007 JGP Final. Health issues forced them to withdraw prior to the event. They were also unable to compete at the 2008 Canadian Championships, where they had intended to skate at the senior level for the first time. Despite missing the event, Skate Canada named them to the 2008 Junior World team.[4] However, Lenko's health issues persisted, leaving them unable to compete at the event.

Partnership with Alexandra Paul

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Paul and Islam at the 2011 Canadian Championships

In February 2009, Mitchell Islam had a successful tryout with Alexandra Paul, a fellow skater at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ontario.[5] His father was on his coaching team.

Paul/Islam began competing together during the 2009–2010 season. In July 2009, they beat the Canadian junior champions at the Minto Summer Skate and were given a Junior Grand Prix assignment. They competed at two 2009–10 JGP events, finishing fourth in Poland and fifth in Turkey. They won gold at the Canadian Junior Championships and were assigned to Junior Worlds where they captured the silver medal.

Paul/Islam moved up to the senior ranks for the 2010–2011 season. They finished fourth in their senior Grand Prix debut at 2010 Skate Canada International. Their next event was 2010 Cup of Russia. They had a fall in the short dance and withdrew from the free dance after Paul sustained a rib injury.[6] Paul/Islam made their senior national debut at the 2011 Canadian Championships, finishing in third. They were first alternates for the 2011 World Championships.[7]

His partner sprained her knee ligament around 2011 or 2012.[8][9]

Paul/Islam finished eighth at the 2011 Skate America. They withdrew before the free dance at 2011 NHK Trophy after placing seventh in the short — Paul suffered a cut to the back of the thigh in a collision with Italy's Lorenza Alessandrini / Simone Vaturi during the morning practice on November 12.[10]

In June 2012, Paul/Islam decided to train full-time at the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.[2][11] They had no Grand Prix events in 2012. At the 2013 Canadian Championships, they finished fourth.[12]

Paul/Islam began the following season with bronze at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy. They placed fifth at their sole Grand Prix assignment, the 2013 Skate Canada International. After winning the bronze medal at the 2014 Canadian Championships, they were assigned to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where they placed 18th.

Paul/Islam ranked 8th in the short dance, 14th in the free dance, and 13th overall at the 2015 World Championships in Shanghai, China. A few weeks later, they changed coaches, joining Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon, and Romain Haguenauer at the Gadbois Centre in Montreal, Quebec.[13]

Paul injured her hamstring in the summer of 2016.[13] She and Islam received the bronze medal at the 2016 CS U.S. International Classic. On November 18, Paul twisted her knee when she fell during a morning practice at the 2016 Cup of China.[13] The duo decided to withdraw from the competition before the short dance. They announced their competitive retirement on December 15, 2016.[14]

Personal life

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Islam was born on January 24, 1990, in Barrie, Ontario.[15] His mother, Debbie, is a former ladies' singles skater who won the Canadian junior title and senior national bronze medal. She is also a figure skating judge; she was on the judging panel for the men's event at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.[5] His father, David, is Director of Ice Dance at the Mariposa School of Skating.

In addition to figure skating, Islam has played AAA hockey, rep level lacrosse, and soccer. He studied political science at Oakland University,[16] completing his final semester in April 2017.[17]

Paul and Islam married in September 2021, and subsequently had a son, Charles. Islam became a widower on August 22, 2023, when Paul's car was fatally hit by a transport truck.[18]

Programs

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With Paul

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Season Short dance Free dance Exhibition
2016–2017
[15][19]
2015–2016
[20][21][22]
2014–2015
[23][24][25][26][27]
2013–2014
[12][28][29]
  • Going Somewhere
  • I Will Follow You
  • Satin Birds
  • Dance for Me Wallis
    all by Abel Korzeniowski
2012–2013
[11][30][31]
  • The Crisis
    by Ennio Morricone
  • 1900s Madness #1
    by Ennio Morricone
  • Danny's Blues
    by Ennio Morricone
  • 12th Street Rag
    by Euday L. Bowman
  • Playing Love
    (from The Legend of 1900)
    by Ennio Morricone
    choreo. by Anjelika Krylova, Pasquale Camerlengo
  • In Your Eyes
    (New Blood edition)
    by Peter Gabriel
    choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle[12]
2011–2012
[32]
2010–2011
[33]
  • As Time Goes By
    by Herman Hupfeld
    choreo. by
    Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon
Original dance
2009–2010
[34]
  • Nocturno
    by Guido Luciani
  • Farruca Y Rumba
    by Pepe Romero

With Lenko

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Season Original dance Free dance
2007–08
[35] 		Russian gypsy dance:
  • Two Guitars
  • Havana – Main Title
    by Arturo Sandoval, Dave Valentin
  • Master and Commander – The Doldrums
    by Davies, Gordon and Tognetti
  • Boleros Canciones Recuerdos – Besame Mucho
  • Mujer Latina
    by Thalia
2006–07
[36]
  • Tanguera
  • A Fuego Lento
    by H. Salgon
  • Leyenda
    by M. Laucke
  • Romanza
  • Girl Fight
    by J. Shapiro
2005–06
[1]

Competitive highlights

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GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

With Paul

[edit]
International[37]
Event 09–10 10–11 11–12 12–13 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17
Olympics 18th
Worlds 10th 13th
Four Continents 6th 6th
GP Cup of China 5th WD
GP Bompard 6th
GP Skate America 8th
GP Skate Canada 4th 5th 6th 8th
CS Autumn Classic 4th
CS Nebelhorn 2nd
CS U.S. Classic 3rd
Nebelhorn 5th 3rd
U.S. Classic 2nd
International: Junior[37]
Junior Worlds 2nd
JGP Poland 4th
JGP Turkey 5th
National[38]
Canadian Champ. 1st J 3rd 5th 4th 3rd 3rd 4th
J = Junior level; WD = Withdrew

With Lenko

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International[39]
Event 05–06 06–07 07–08
JGP Estonia 9th 3rd
JGP Hungary 2nd
JGP Netherlands 5th
JGP United States 2nd
National
Canadian Champ. 4th J 2nd J WD
Levels: N = Novice; J = Junior. WD = Withdrew

References

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  1. ^ a b c Mittan, Barry (February 5, 2006). "Skating's a Family Affair for Lenko and Islam". SkateToday.
  2. ^ a b Millington, Ali (August 18, 2012). "Olympic fever sparks hope in Barrie athletes". Simcoe.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2017.
  3. ^ Kaye, Rosaleen (March 2, 2007). "Bobrova and Soloviev maintain lead at Junior Worlds". GoldenSkate. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  4. ^ "Skate Canada announces World, Junior World and Four Continents teams". Skate Canada. January 20, 2008. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ a b Walker, Elvin (September 12, 2010). "Paul and Islam hope to continue to rise". GoldenSkate.com. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  6. ^ Brodie, Rob (January 19, 2011). "Paul and Islam Dancing up a Storm". IFS Magazine. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012.
  7. ^ Kwong, PJ (April 13, 2011). "Focus main priority for Canadian alternates". CBC News. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  8. ^ Almond, Mary Beth (February 14, 2014). "Local ice skaters, OU students, head to Winter Olympics". C & G Newspapers. Archived from the original on April 30, 2017.
  9. ^ McInroy, Ian (January 14, 2014). "Local ice-dance skaters will compete at Winter Olympics in Sochi". The Barrie Examiner.
  10. ^ "Ice dancing duo pull out of free skate in Japan". Agence France-Presse. Google News. November 12, 2011. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012.
  11. ^ a b Thayer, Jacquelyn (June 27, 2012). "A Summer of Change for Paul & Islam". ice-dance.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  12. ^ a b c Thayer, Jacquelyn (June 27, 2013). "Paul and Islam Make a Home in Detroit". ice-dance.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015.
  13. ^ a b c Thayer, Jacquelyn (April 7, 2017). "With Paul and Islam, the end is where we start from". twofortheice.com.
  14. ^ "Olympians Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam Retire from Competitive Skating". Skate Canada. December 15, 2016.
  15. ^ a b "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016.
  16. ^ "Political Science students heading to Sochi to skate in Winter Olympics". Oakland University. January 22, 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  17. ^ Thayer, Jacquelyn (April 12, 2017). "In the end, a beginning for Paul and Islam". twofortheice.com.
  18. ^ "Former figure skating Olympian from Barrie, Ont., identified as new mom killed in Melancthon crash". CTV News. August 25, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Thayer, Jacquelyn (May 30, 2016). "With Past as Prologue, Paul and Islam Carry On". Two for the Ice.
  20. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  21. ^ Thayer, Jacquelyn (August 13, 2015). "2015 Quebec Summer Championships: The Dancers". Two for the Ice.
  22. ^ Klaus-Reinhold Kany (August 20, 2015). "Dance teams head to Montreal in hopes of rebirth". Icenetwork.
  23. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  24. ^ Smith, Beverley (October 15, 2014). "Returning home, Alexandra Paul & Mitchell Islam to debut new programs in Barrie". Skate Canada. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  25. ^ Thayer, Jacquelyn (May 28, 2014). "Lifted by Success, Paul and Islam Hold to Foundations". Two for the Ice. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  26. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. ^ Thayer, Jacquelyn (February 9, 2015). "Behind the Program, Ep. 1: Paul and Islam, 2015 Free Dance". Two for the Ice.
  28. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 23, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  29. ^ "Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam: 2013/2014". Skate Canada. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  30. ^ "Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam: 2012/2013". Skate Canada. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  31. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on March 3, 2013.
  32. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  33. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  34. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 16, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  35. ^ "Joanna LENKO / Mitchell ISLAM: 2007/2008". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  36. ^ "Joanna LENKO / Mitchell ISLAM: 2006/2007". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 20, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  37. ^ a b "Competition Results: Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016.
  38. ^ "Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam". Skate Canada.
  39. ^ "Competition Results: Joanna LENKO / Mitchell ISLAM". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015.
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