Jamal Othman

Jamal Aziz Othman[1] (born 13 August 1986 in Worb, Canton of Bern) is a Swiss former competitive figure skater. He is the 2009 Swiss national champion and a five-time (2002, 2005–2007, 2010) national silver medalist.

Jamal Othman
Othman in 2006.
Full nameJamal Aziz Othman
Born (1986-08-13) 13 August 1986 (age 37)
Worb
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Figure skating career
CountrySwitzerland
CoachJacqueline Kiefer
Skating clubSchlittschuh Club Bern

Career

Othman began skating at age six after previously trying gymnastics and rock and roll dancing.[2][3] He was the 1999 Swiss Novice Champion and the 2000 and 2001 Swiss Junior Champion. He qualified for three Junior Grand Prix Finals, withdrawing from one due to a foot injury,[4] and competed four times at Junior Worlds.

In the 2005–2006 season, Othman had to fight to earn his spot on the Swiss Olympic team. Switzerland had two spots to the Olympics, but Othman's silver medal at the Swiss Championships only secured him spots on the teams to Worlds and Europeans. Othman competed at the German Championships, but did not place high enough to qualify for the Olympics. At the European Championships, Othman finished 21st. The Swiss Olympic Committee gave him one last chance and Othman skated his programs in front of a panel. He performed well enough to be placed on the Olympic team. At the Olympics, he failed to make it out of the short program.

Othman began the 2006–2007 season by placing ninth at Skate Canada International. He then went to Trophée Eric Bompard, where he placed 11th. He won his third consecutive silver medal at the Swiss national championships. At the 2007 European Figure Skating Championships, Othman went in as the top-ranked Swiss skater, due to the withdrawal of Stéphane Lambiel. Othman skated two personal best program and cracked the top ten for the first time. His placement, combined with that of countryman Moris Pfeifhofer, ensured Switzerland two spots in the 2008 Championships.

At 186 cm, Othman is very tall for a single skater,[2] and his height allows him to perform rare positions in his spins. He has competed at both French and German nationals to gain competitive experience.

In 2017, Othman married French ice dance coach Romain Haguenauer.[5]

Othman is the managing director of representation agency, Markey International Arts,[6] which works in partnership with the Ice Academy of Montreal.[7]

Programs

Othman's signature half-Biellmann spin.
SeasonShort programFree skating
2009–2010
[8]
  • A Transylvanian Lullaby
    (from Young Frankenstein)
    by John Morris
  • Devil's Dance
    (from The Witches of Eastwick)
    by John Williams
  • Asturias
    by Isaac Albeniz
2008–2009
[9]
  • Ice Queen
  • Raks Afrika
    by Paul Dinletir
  • Asturias
    by Isaac Albeniz
2007–2008
[10]
  • Ice Queen
  • Raks Afrika
    by Paul Dinletir
2006–2007
[11]
  • Lunatico
2005–2006
[1]
2004–2005
[12]
  • My Affectionate and Tender Beast
2003–2004
[13][2]
2002–2003
[4]
  • L'ultimo bacio
    by Paolo Buonvino
2001–2002
[14]
  • Anna and the King
    by George Fenton
2000–2001
[15]
  • Caprice Viennoise
  • Gipsy Carnival
    by Fritz Kreisler
    F. Liz Chamber Orchestra

Competitive highlights

GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

International[16]
Event98–9999–0000–0101–0202–0303–0404–0505–0606–0707–0808–0909–10
Olympics27th
Worlds21st28th18th22nd26th22nd
Europeans11th21st8th12th
GP Bompard12th11th
GP Cup of China8th
GP NHK Trophy12th
GP Skate Canada11th9th10th
Nepela Memorial3rd3rd
NRW Trophy8th
Crystal Skate5th
Finlandia Trophy6th
Nebelhorn Trophy5th9th
Universiade9th21st
International: Junior[16]
Junior Worlds31st18th39th20th
JGP Final9thWD7th
JGP Canada3rd
JGP China2nd
JGP Germany1st
JGP Italy4th3rd
JGP Japan6th
JGP Netherlands2nd
JGP Norway20th
JGP Poland13th
JGP Romania5th
Gardena4th
Golden Bear1st N
Heiko Fischer1st J
Triglav Trophy1st N
National[16]
Swiss Champ.1st N1st J1st J2nd3rd2nd2nd2nd3rd1st2nd
Levels: N = Novice; J = Junior. WD = Withdrew

References