Spanish · Madrid, Spain · Born 15 April 1991Spain's first-ever figure skating World Champion and Olympic medalist, a two-time World champion who trained under coach Brian Orser in Toronto.
Javier Fernandez Lopez was born on 15 April 1991 in Madrid, taking up skating at six after watching his older sister train. Despite Spain having fewer than 20 registered figure skaters, he became the first Spanish skater to land a triple Axel and quadruple jump, making his Olympic debut in Vancouver in 2010 as the first Spanish men's figure skater at the Games in over 50 years. Fernandez moved to Toronto in 2011 to train under coach Brian Orser, and broke through in 2013 by becoming Spain's first European champion and first World Championship medalist, taking bronze in London, Ontario. He went on to win seven consecutive European titles from 2013 to 2019 and back-to-back World Championship golds in 2015 and 2016, outscoring rival Yuzuru Hanyu in Shanghai to become the first Spanish skater to win a world title. At the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, Fernandez won bronze to become Spain's first-ever Olympic medalist on ice, before retiring from competition in 2019. He opened the JF Academy in Madrid in 2020 to develop the next generation of Spanish skaters, and has since worked closely with fellow skaters including partnering with the Amodio Figure Skating Academy in France.
Becoming Spain's first-ever figure skating World Champion and Olympic medalist
How They Played
Technically precise with expressive, passionate artistry drawing on Spanish cultural motifs, renowned for consistency under pressure
Lasting Impact
A pioneering figure who single-handedly elevated figure skating in Spain, blending technical mastery with distinctive flamenco-inspired artistry
Career Honours
- 2x World Champion (2015, 2016)
- 2018 Olympic Bronze Medal
- 7x European Champion (2013-2019, consecutive)
- 8x Spanish National Champion
Spanish Athletes