Yuko Kawaguchi

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Yuko Kawaguchi is a Japanese pairs figure skater, who has represented Japan, the USA, and Russia in international competition. She previously competed as a singles skater for Japan, then switched to pairs and skated with Alexander Markuntsov. They teamed up in 1999, and were the first Japanese pair team to medal at an ISU championships, which they did at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships in 2001. The team broke up in 2003 and Kawaguchi then skated with Devin Patrick for the United States, with whom she competed twice at the United States Figure Skating Championships. She teamed up with Alexander Smirnov in the spring of 2006 and now competes with him, representing Russia. The pair are coached by Tamara Moskvina.