Figure skater Mirai Nagasu has become the first American woman to land the triple axel jump at the Winter Olympics.
The difficult jump, recently popularized in 2017’s Tonya Harding biopic I, Tonya, was landed by the film’s protagonist in 1991, then by Kimmie Meissner in 2005. Nagasu is the third American woman to pull off the maneuver in competitive skating.
On Twitter, fans ranging from Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi to Reese Witherspoon cheered on the athlete’s accomplishment.
Wow!! @mirai_nagasu is making history !! 🌟#OlympicWinterGames https://t.co/bmlo2Pjjpy
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) February 12, 2018
I watched Home Again on the way to the Olympics and I know it’s a movie but I wished you were my mom. You’re my hero. ❤️ https://t.co/LRHEMEXroE
— Mirai Nagasu (@mirai_nagasu) February 12, 2018
Wow @mirai_nagasu !!! Congratulations…tears of joy for you again! #1stAmerican3axel #hero 👑
— Kristi Yamaguchi (@kristiyamaguchi) February 12, 2018
Thank you so much! https://t.co/WbjfeCCY3P
— Mirai Nagasu (@mirai_nagasu) February 12, 2018
Looks Nagasu’s been warming up for this move since April.
https://twitter.com/mirai_nagasu/status/852011340499525633
Watch Nagasu leap into the history books below:
“HOLY COW!” You just witnessed a historic triple axel from Mirai Nagasu. #WinterOlympics https://t.co/NsNuy9F46h pic.twitter.com/jCMTb4LtXv
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 12, 2018
H/T Jezebel
