by Anne Calder | Photographs by Robin Ritoss
Fatima Gomez Sandoval is the primary solo dancer to characterize Mexico on the nationwide and worldwide degree.
She is a Junior Solo Mixed skater who trains with Kristen Frazier-Lukanin and Igor Lukanin on the Kriger Studio in Montclair, NJ.
Her story started when she was 4 years outdated. She went to a mall in Mexico Metropolis along with her dad and mom and noticed a skating rink for the primary time.
5 months later she made her aggressive debut and continued skating singles till she was sixteen.
“It was higher to coach within the States,” Gomez Sandoval stated. “I’ve been coming to totally different locations in North America since I used to be 4 or 5. I did Canada, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.
“First I used to be a singles skater. Then I ran right into a [medical] state of affairs the place they discovered 4 tumors in my left leg. There’s part of my leg I don’t really feel, and It will definitely left me out of singles. I needed to cease leaping.
“I used to be coaching on the Ice Home in Hackensack, NJ again then. I used to be doing nice. I used to be a Junior skater and went to the JGP in Turkey in 2023. It was superior. Once I got here again I wished to study to bop. That’s when I discovered Kristen and Igor.”
In 2024, the Worldwide Skating Union (ISU) formally acknowledged Solo Dance as an Worldwide self-discipline.
“Earlier than I started representing Mexico in Solo Dance, I met with the Federation,” Gomez Sandoval defined. “They knew all the things about my well being, and that my strongest skating had at all times been performing. Really, I used to be by no means a robust jumper. They stated I may begin as a Junior.”
Gomez Sandoval competed at a number of home and worldwide occasions through the 2025 season.
She represented the Mexican Federation of Ice Skating and Winter Sports activities at three 2025 SDS occasions: Morris Open, Dallas Basic and Lake Placid Championships and two worldwide occasions: Atlanta, USA and Helsinki, FIN. She additionally skated on the ninth Mexican Open Skating Competitors in Might.
“I don’t really reside in New Jersey full time,” she stated. “I come and go. I used to be there for 2 months, then I went again residence for 3 months. I’m attempting to complete highschool, and it’s tough to get all the things executed within the U.S. Additionally, my household is in Mexico.”
“One factor I do discover humorous after I return to Mexico Metropolis and prepare solo with all of the freestyle skaters is everybody leaping,” she laughed. “I ponder to myself if I’m lacking one thing.
“My pals again residence are so supportive of what I’m doing. They’re so joyful for me as a result of they at all times knew I used to be a giant performer.”
“Once I skated freestyle, I by no means fell. I used to be a giant popper,” Gomez Sandoval defined. “My mother was so terrified she couldn’t watch. My first solo competitors she watched me reside, and I cried. In Might I skated again residence in Mexico. It was not a contest. I cried as a result of I used to be so joyful that I bought to get pleasure from my second [in Mexico], and it felt so particular. I’m so joyful my mother additionally bought to get pleasure from that.”
“I did a contest in Finland. My whole household was there, and I fell whereas doing completely nothing,” Gomez Sandoval stated. “My mother was so unhappy for me. It was on a selection eagle. The ice was slippery and new. I hit the wall. My blade went into my thigh, and I lower myself. I bought up and wished to start out once more.
“My mom jogged my memory that it was my first season, and subsequent season I’d be extra aggressive.”
“I’m glad to be having fun with skating once more. I’m excited for subsequent season. It’s going to be an important journey.”
Fatima Gomez Sandoval
Fatima’s Last Information…
- My dad and mom don’t watch my skating collectively. My mother goes to 1 place; my dad goes to a different.
- Madison Hubbell and Adrian Diaz are my favourite skaters ever. I do know they aren’t a skating couple, however after I watch them individually, I really like their skating.
- Brooke Tufts isn’t solely a mentor in skating. She’s like my large sister.
- For me to be right here in Lake Placid is a dream. I advised my mother that that is the place I’m presupposed to be. I really feel I’m becoming in with the people who find themselves right here.
- Solo Dance is one other technique to present how lovely skating is. We neglect skating isn’t solely leaping and seeing who can rotate extra within the air. It’s extra about the fantastic thing about skating. There are such a lot of lovely skaters who can’t shine as a result of jumps are the one approach. Solo Dance is the perfect factor that has occurred to me this previous 12 months.
