Kristi Yamaguchi replaces Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the honorary starter when Mayweather renounce his duty because of death in his family. Yamaguchi is the 1992 Olympic gold medalist, a popular figure skater, and the newest “Dancing with the Stars” winner. She would now be the honorary starter that will wave the green flag as a sign of the start of 92nd Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, may 25.

 

To date, Yamaguchi is the first female honorary starter in Indianapolis 500. She will bring the elite 33-car beginning field in the hunt for the checkered flag and racing immortality. Mayweather, the supposed honorary starter, wished all the best for the drivers especially his friend Helio Castrovenes and a safe race to everybody. He can’t attend this year’s race because of the death of his uncle.

 

As an honorary starter, one must have achievements. Kristi Yamaguchi, a native of Fremont, California, is truly qualified to be one. Aside from her Olympic gold medal at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France, she is likewise a two-time champion in World Figure Skating in 1991 and 1992, a U.S. National Champion in 1992, and a four-time champion in World Professional Figure Skating. Further, she was one of the first U.S. women to contend in both pairs’ events and ladies’ singles. In 1988, she won the World Junior Pairs and in 1989 and 1990, she won the U.S national title with Rudy Galindo.

 

In addition to her achievements is her winning in the season six “Dancing with the Stars” of ABC wherein she was paired with professional dancer, Mark Ballas. She was proclaimed champion in the said competition.

 

Though, Kristi is in other field, the point is women can truly be successful in almost any famous field. So, let’s watch out the 92nd Indianapolis 500 on Sunday and hope that one of the three women qualified wins or luckily the three of them.