Home / Creative Products / Toys

Barbie Releases Kristi Yamaguchi Doll Honoring the Iconic Olympic Figure Skater

By Sarah Currier on April 29, 2024

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Barbie (@barbie)

Like many little girls, Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi grew up playing with Barbie dolls. Now, she has one designed after her. Her doll, which is part of the brand's Inspiring Women Series, was released just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May.

Yamaguchi, a two-time world champion and Olympic Hall of Famer, made history at the 1992 Olympics for becoming the first Asian American woman to win an individual figure skating gold medal. The doll design captures the likeness of the skater at those Olympic games, down to the sparkling black and gold leotard and the red and white bouquet that she held atop the podium. The doll also features her signature poofy 90s style bangs that Yamaguchi was sporting at the time.

Her victory came at a time when there were very few Asian American role models, and even fewer were women. While she was competing, some people in the figure skating community were concerned about Yamaguchi's race impacting her marketability and ability to get endorsements. But despite these challenges, the skater persisted and managed to cement herself as one of the greatest American female figure skaters of all time.

“It's a huge, huge honor,” Yamaguchi told The Associated Press. “I think a lot of pride comes along with it, not just recognizing the Olympic achievement, but also being recognized during AAPI Month and following in the footsteps of some incredible women that I idolize—Anna May Wong, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks.”

Yamaguchi’s Barbie doll is now available for pre-order on Mattel’s website, Target, and Amazon.