Hughes surprised the world by winning the gold medal in women's figure skating at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. She was 16 years old and previously had never won a U.S or world senior championship. In fourth place after the short program, Hughes came back with a near-flawless long program to pass reigning world champion Michelle Kwan, Russian Irina Slutskaya and fellow teen Sasha Cohen.

Hughes's win was reminiscent of the 1998 Nagano Olympics, when the heavy favorite Kwan was beaten by newcomer Tara Lipinski.

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