Mitchell Islam

Mitchell Islam
Paul and Islam at 2010 Junior Worlds
Personal information
Country represented	Canada
Born	(1990-01-24) January 24, 1990 (age 33) Barrie, Ontario
Spouse(s)	Alexandra Paul
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Former partner	Joanna Lenko
Coach	Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon, Romain Haguenauer, Pasquale Camerlengo, Anjelika Krylova, David Islam, Kelly Johnson, Pavol Porac, Tyler Myles
Choreographer	Romain Haguenauer, Kelly Johnson, Pasquale Camerlengo, Anjelika Krylova, Jeffrey Buttle, Pavol Porac
Skating club	Barrie SC Gadbois Centre Detroit Skating Club
Training locations	Montreal, Quebec; Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Barrie, Ontario
Began skating	1993
Retired	December 15, 2016
ISU personal best scores
Combined total	152.59 2015 Worlds
Short dance	64.38 2015 Worlds
Free dance	91.08 2014 Worlds
Medal record Figure skating: Ice dancing Representing   Canada World Junior Championships 2010 The Hague Ice dancing

Mitchell Islam (born January 24, 1990) is a Canadian former competitive ice dancer. He teamed up with partner Alexandra Paul in 2009. They are the 2010 World Junior silver medalists, 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy bronze medalists, and three-time Canadian national bronze medalists (2011, 2014, 2015). They competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Career

Early career

From 2000 through 2008, Islam competed with Joanna Lenko. ^[1] They trained at the Mariposa School of Skating, ^[2] 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. ^[3]

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. ^[4] However, Lenko's health issues persisted, leaving them unable to compete at the event.

Partnership with Alexandra Paul

Paul and Islam at the 2011 Canadian Championships

In February 2009, Mitchell Islam had a successful tryout with Alexandra Paul, a fellow skater at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ontario. ^[5] His father was on his coaching team.

Paul/Islam began competing together during the 2009–2010 season. In July 2009, they beat the Canadian junior champions at the Minto Summer Skate and were given a Junior Grand Prix assignment. They competed at two 2009–10 JGP events, finishing fourth in Poland and fifth in Turkey. They won gold at the Canadian Junior Championships and were assigned to Junior Worlds where they captured the silver medal.

Paul/Islam moved up to the senior ranks for the 2010–2011 season. They finished fourth in their senior Grand Prix debut at 2010 Skate Canada International. Their next event was 2010 Cup of Russia. They had a fall in the short dance and withdrew from the free dance after Paul sustained a rib injury. ^[6] Paul/Islam made their senior national debut at the 2011 Canadian Championships, finishing in third. They were first alternates for the 2011 World Championships. ^[7]

His partner sprained her knee ligament around 2011 or 2012. ^{[8] [9]}

Paul/Islam finished eighth at the 2011 Skate America. They withdrew before the free dance at 2011 NHK Trophy after placing seventh in the short — Paul suffered a cut to the back of the thigh in a collision with Italy's Lorenza Alessandrini / Simone Vaturi during the morning practice on November 12. ^[10]

In June 2012, Paul/Islam decided to train full-time at the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. ^{[2] [11]} They had no Grand Prix events in 2012. At the 2013 Canadian Championships, they finished fourth. ^[12]

Paul/Islam began the following season with bronze at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy. They placed fifth at their sole Grand Prix assignment, the 2013 Skate Canada International. After winning the bronze medal at the 2014 Canadian Championships, they were assigned to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where they placed 18th.

Paul/Islam ranked 8th in the short dance, 14th in the free dance, and 13th overall at the 2015 World Championships in Shanghai, China. A few weeks later, they changed coaches, joining Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon, and Romain Haguenauer at the Gadbois Centre in Montreal, Quebec. ^[13]

Paul injured her hamstring in the summer of 2016. ^[13] She and Islam received the bronze medal at the 2016 CS U.S. International Classic. On November 18, Paul twisted her knee when she fell during a morning practice at the 2016 Cup of China. ^[13] The duo decided to withdraw from the competition before the short dance. They announced their competitive retirement on December 15, 2016. ^[14]

Personal life

Islam was born on January 24, 1990, in Barrie, Ontario. ^[15] His mother, Debbie, is a former ladies' singles skater who won the Canadian junior title and senior national bronze medal. She is also a figure skating judge; she was on the judging panel for the men's event at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. ^[5] His father, David, is Director of Ice Dance at the Mariposa School of Skating.

In addition to figure skating, Islam has played AAA hockey, rep level lacrosse, and soccer. He studied political science at Oakland University, ^[16] completing his final semester in April 2017. ^[17]

Paul and Islam married in September 2021, and subsequently had a son, Charles. Islam became a widower on August 22, 2023, when Paul's car was fatally hit by a transport truck. ^[18]

Programs

With Paul

Season	Short dance	Free dance	Exhibition
2016–2017 [15] [19]	Big Spender Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) choreo. by Romain Haguenauer	Liebestraum No. 3 in A flat by Franz Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C sharp minor by Franz Liszt Concerto Paraphrase on "Rigoletto" by Franz Liszt	Thinking Out Loud [19] by Ed Sheeran choreo. by Kelly Johnson
2015–2016 [20] [21] [22]	The Tales of Beatrix Potter by John Lanchbery choreo. by Romain Haguenauer	Where Is It Written? by Barbra Streisand choreo. by Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon	Love's Divine by Seal
2014–2015 [23] [24] [25] [26] [27]	Nocturno by Guido Luciani Farruca Y Rumba by Pepe Romero choreo. by Pasquale Camerlengo, Anjelika Krylova	In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle, Kelly Johnson, David Islam Come Rain or Come Shine by Frank Sinatra and Gloria Estefan The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra choreo. by Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon	I Wanna Be Loved By You by Sinéad O'Connor
2013–2014 [12] [28] [29]	Crazy For You Overture by George Gershwin	Going Somewhere I Will Follow You Satin Birds Dance for Me Wallis all by Abel Korzeniowski	In Your Eyes (New Blood edition) by Peter Gabriel choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle
2012–2013 [11] [30] [31]	La Foule by Edith Piaf Milord by Edith Piaf choreo. by Kelly Johnson	The Crisis by Ennio Morricone 1900s Madness #1 by Ennio Morricone Danny's Blues by Ennio Morricone 12th Street Rag by Euday L. Bowman Playing Love (from The Legend of 1900) by Ennio Morricone choreo. by Anjelika Krylova, Pasquale Camerlengo	In Your Eyes (New Blood edition) by Peter Gabriel choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle [12] Get Here (If You Can) by Rüdiger Skoczowsky
2011–2012 [32]	Main theme from 2046 Havana Slide by Jon Cohen choreo. by Romain Haguenauer	Tonight by Elton John choreo. by Kelly Johnson, David Wilson	In Your Eyes (New Blood edition) by Peter Gabriel choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle
2010–2011 [33]	La cumparsita  – Amor por el Tango by G. M. Rodriguez A los Amigos by A. Ponder choreographed by Pavol Porac	As Time Goes By by Herman Hupfeld choreo. by Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon	Oh! Darling by The Beatles cover by Dana Fuchs
	Original dance
2009–2010 [34]	Nocturno by Guido Luciani Farruca Y Rumba by Pepe Romero	Sheherazade by Cyril Martin Moroccan Roll by Vanessa Mae Sometimes I Dream by Mario Frangoulis	Over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy

With Lenko

Season	Original dance	Free dance
2007–08 [35]	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
2006–07 [36]	Tanguera A Fuego Lento by H. Salgon	Leyenda by M. Laucke Romanza Girl Fight by J. Shapiro
2005–06 [1]	Mambo Swing by Scotty Morris performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Europa by Alturas	Harem by Sarah Brightman

Competitive highlights

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

With Paul

International [37]
Event	09–10	10–11	11–12	12–13	13–14	14–15	15–16	16–17
Olympics					18th
Worlds					10th	13th
Four Continents			6th			6th
GP Cup of China						5th		WD
GP Bompard						6th
GP NHK Trophy			WD				WD
GP Rostel. Cup		WD
GP Skate America			8th
GP Skate Canada		4th			5th		6th	8th
CS Autumn Classic						4th
CS Nebelhorn							2nd
CS U.S. Classic								3rd
Nebelhorn				5th	3rd
U.S. Classic				2nd
International: Junior [37]
Junior Worlds	2nd
JGP Poland	4th
JGP Turkey	5th
National [38]
Canadian Champ.	1st J	3rd	5th	4th	3rd	3rd	4th
J = Junior level; WD = Withdrew

With Lenko

International [39]
Event	04–05	05–06	06–07	07–08
Junior Worlds			WD	WD
JGP Final				WD
JGP Estonia		9th		3rd
JGP Hungary			2nd
JGP Netherlands			5th
JGP United States				2nd
National
Canadian Champ.	2nd N	4th J	2nd J	WD
Levels: N = Novice; J = Junior. WD = Withdrew

References

1. Mittan, Barry (February 5, 2006). "Skating's a Family Affair for Lenko and Islam". SkateToday.
2. Millington, Ali (August 18, 2012). "Olympic fever sparks hope in Barrie athletes". Simcoe.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2017.
3. Kaye, Rosaleen (March 2, 2007). "Bobrova and Soloviev maintain lead at Junior Worlds". GoldenSkate. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
4. "Skate Canada announces World, Junior World and Four Continents teams". Skate Canada . January 20, 2008. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008.
5. Walker, Elvin (September 12, 2010). "Paul and Islam hope to continue to rise". GoldenSkate.com. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
6. Brodie, Rob (January 19, 2011). "Paul and Islam Dancing up a Storm". IFS Magazine. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012.
7. Kwong, PJ (April 13, 2011). "Focus main priority for Canadian alternates". CBC News . Retrieved April 16, 2011.
8. Almond, Mary Beth (February 14, 2014). "Local ice skaters, OU students, head to Winter Olympics". C & G Newspapers. Archived from the original on April 30, 2017.
9. McInroy, Ian (January 14, 2014). "Local ice-dance skaters will compete at Winter Olympics in Sochi". The Barrie Examiner.
10. "Ice dancing duo pull out of free skate in Japan". Agence France-Presse . Google News. November 12, 2011. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011.
11. Thayer, Jacquelyn (June 27, 2012). "A Summer of Change for Paul & Islam". ice-dance.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
12. Thayer, Jacquelyn (June 27, 2013). "Paul and Islam Make a Home in Detroit". ice-dance.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015.
13. Thayer, Jacquelyn (April 7, 2017). "With Paul and Islam, the end is where we start from". twofortheice.com.
14. "Olympians Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam Retire from Competitive Skating". Skate Canada. December 15, 2016.
15. "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016.
16. "Political Science students heading to Sochi to skate in Winter Olympics". Oakland University. January 22, 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
17. Thayer, Jacquelyn (April 12, 2017). "In the end, a beginning for Paul and Islam". twofortheice.com.
18. "Former figure skating Olympian from Barrie, Ont., identified as new mom killed in Melancthon crash". CTV News . August 25, 2023.
19. Thayer, Jacquelyn (May 30, 2016). "With Past as Prologue, Paul and Islam Carry On". Two for the Ice.
20. "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016.
21. Thayer, Jacquelyn (August 13, 2015). "2015 Quebec Summer Championships: The Dancers". Two for the Ice.
22. Klaus-Reinhold Kany (August 20, 2015). "Dance teams head to Montreal in hopes of rebirth". Icenetwork .
23. "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014.
24. Smith, Beverley (October 15, 2014). "Returning home, Alexandra Paul & Mitchell Islam to debut new programs in Barrie". Skate Canada . Retrieved March 25, 2015.
25. Thayer, Jacquelyn (May 28, 2014). "Lifted by Success, Paul and Islam Hold to Foundations". Two for the Ice. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
26. "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015.
27. Thayer, Jacquelyn (February 9, 2015). "Behind the Program, Ep. 1: Paul and Islam, 2015 Free Dance". Two for the Ice.
28. "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 23, 2014.
29. "Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam: 2013/2014". Skate Canada. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014.
30. "Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam: 2012/2013". Skate Canada. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013.
31. "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on March 3, 2013.
32. "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012.
33. "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011.
34. "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 16, 2010.
35. "Joanna LENKO / Mitchell ISLAM: 2007/2008". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007.
36. "Joanna LENKO / Mitchell ISLAM: 2006/2007". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 20, 2007.
37. "Competition Results: Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016.
38. "Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam". Skate Canada.
39. "Competition Results: Joanna LENKO / Mitchell ISLAM". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015.

External links

• Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam at the International Skating Union
• Joanna Lenko / Mitchell Islam at the International Skating Union