Joanna Lenko (born April 24, 1992) is a Canadian retired ice dancer. She won three medals on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series with Mitchell Islam.

Joanna Lenko
Lenko / Islam in 2006.
Full nameJoanna Lenko
Born (1992-04-24) April 24, 1992 (age 31)
Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height1.689 m (5 ft 6 in)
Figure skating career
CountryCanada
PartnerJason Cheperdak
Skating clubBarrie SC
Retired2010

Personal life edit

Lenko was born in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. Her sister is fellow skater Kristina Lenko.

Career edit

From 2000 through 2008, Lenko competed with Mitchell Islam.[1] They trained at the Mariposa School of Skating, 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.[2]

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.[3] However, Lenko's health issues persisted, leaving them unable to compete at the event.

Lenko teamed up with Jason Cheperdak in 2009, and the skaters began to train in Pennsylvania with coaches Natalia Linichuk and Gennadi Karponosov. Lenko was forced to retire from the sport in 2010 due to returning health issues, finally being diagnosed with Lyme disease.

Competitive highlights edit

(with Islam)

Results[4]
International
Event 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
World Junior Championships WD WD
JGP Final WD
JGP Estonia 9th 3rd
JGP Hungary 2nd
JGP Netherlands 5th
JGP USA 2nd
National
Canadians 2nd N. 4th J. 2nd J. WD
JGP = Junior Grand Prix; WD = Withdrew
Levels: N. = Novice; J. = Junior

Programs edit

Season Original dance Free dance
2007–2008
[5]
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
2006–2007
[6]
  • Tanguera
  • A Fuego Lento
    by H. Salgon
  • Leyenda
    by M. Laucke
  • Romanza
  • Girl Fight
    by J. Shapiro
2005–2006
[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Mittan, Barry (February 5, 2006). "Skating's a Family Affair for Lenko and Islam". Skate Today.
  2. ^ Kaye, Rosaleen (March 2, 2007). "Bobrova and Soloviev maintain lead at Junior Worlds". GoldenSkate. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  3. ^ "Skate Canada announces World, Junior World and Four Continents teams". Skate Canada. January 20, 2008. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008.
  4. ^ "Competition Results: Joanna LENKO / Mitchell ISLAM". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015.
  5. ^ "Joanna LENKO / Mitchell ISLAM: 2007/2008". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007.
  6. ^ "Joanna LENKO / Mitchell ISLAM: 2006/2007". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 20, 2007.

External links edit