At just 17 years old, Ryan William Azadpour has already experienced the highs and lows of competitive figure skating. A two-time U.S. Nationals competitor, Ryan’s journey is fueled by resilience, but also by the passion and discipline that keep him returning to the ice day after day. From his first spark of inspiration watching Yuzuru Hanyu at the Sochi Olympics to his recent jump up the standings at Nationals, Ryan’s story reflects the determination of a skater who truly loves the sport.
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Early Inspiration
Ryan’s journey began in 2014, when a 6-year-old version of himself was glued to the television watching the Sochi Olympics. “I just so happened to see Yuzuru Hanyu compete his world record-shattering short program,” Ryan recalls. “That led me to ask my parents if I could try skating at the rink in the local mall. After my first time skating, I became hooked because of how difficult it was, which only pushed me to keep trying until I fell in love with it.”
That mix of challenge and joy became the foundation of his skating life. Ryan says his favorite part of being on the ice is the sensation itself: “Whether it’s on a skating skills exercise or the running edge of a jump, the feeling of soaring effortlessly can’t be replaced.”
Climbing the Competitive Ladder
Ryan made his junior debut at the 2024 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where he placed 19th. A year later, he surged up the standings to finish 6th in Junior Men’s at the 2025 Nationals in Wichita, Kansas. That performance, he says, stands out as one of his most rewarding moments: “Though not perfect, my freeskate at Nationals felt like I ended my season on a high and memorable note.”
Internationally, Ryan has earned recognition as well. He brought home the bronze medal at the 2024–25 Denver Cup, then placed 11th at the 2025–26 Cranberry Cup International. Each result adds to a résumé that shows steady growth, season after season (full scores here).
Resilience Through Setbacks
His rise hasn’t come without challenges. After a rough season in 2023–24, Ryan narrowly missed qualifying for the national development camp and even considered walking away from skating. “You have to love the sport,” he explains. “You have to want to do it every day and you have to be disciplined to wake up early in the morning and go even if you don’t want to, when you want to sleep more.”
That mindset kept him going. Support from his rink community and coach, Mari Malama, also helped him push through. Malama told him to treat his first Nationals as a learning experience rather than a pressure cooker. Ryan embraced that advice: “This is a really supportive rink and the team here really motivates me to push myself.”
Technical Ambitions
Like many skaters, Ryan has favorite elements that keep him energized. “Personally, I love jumping the most, my favorite element being the triple Lutz,” he says. Still, he admits that the hardest element so far has been the euler–triple flip combo. But the real challenge isn’t just physical: “In terms of mental skillset, it’s been not letting the pressure affect me.”
Even in tough practices, Ryan reminds himself that setbacks are part of the process. “Progress is nonlinear, and everyone achieves something at their own pace,” he says. “The point of practice is to make mistakes—there’s no shortcut to improvement.”
Balancing School, Friends, and Skating
A senior in high school, Ryan maintains a packed schedule, skating six times a week, usually in the mornings before school. It’s a rhythm he’s kept since middle school. “I’ve gotten used to it,” he says. “My teachers and friends are also very supportive and understanding of my commitment to skating, so I’m grateful to be in such a community where I am able to both learn at school and improve my skating.”
Outside the rink, Ryan’s passion for neuroscience has inspired him to take action on an issue close to his heart: Alzheimer’s disease. Having a loved one affected by the condition, Ryan wanted to find a way to use his sport to make a difference. That led him to launch Figure Skaters Against Alzheimer’s Disease: Caregiver Tribute Project—a heartfelt initiative uniting skaters around the world in support of Alzheimer’s caregivers.
“In honor of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month this September, I wanted to do something meaningful that connected skating and compassion,” he says. “This project invites skaters to send short video or written messages thanking and encouraging caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.”
The messages, gathered through a Google form, will be compiled into a video montage and booklet distributed to caregiver support centers throughout September. “It’s about showing that as a skating community, we can lift others up,” Ryan adds. “These caregivers are everyday heroes, and they deserve to feel seen and appreciated.”
The initiative reflects Ryan’s compassion and leadership beyond the ice—turning his personal experience into a platform for awareness and gratitude.
Inspiration and Advice
Ryan points to his coach, Mari Malama, as his biggest influence. “She pushes me to see skating larger than just a competition and to become my own unique skater.”
And for other boys who might be considering lacing up their first pair of skates, Ryan offers straightforward advice: “Discover if it’s something you really love, because if it is, that passion alone can take someone a long way. Whether you want to compete or skate for fun, this journey can’t start if the base isn’t built by undivided love for skating.”
Looking Ahead
With his strong showing at Nationals and growing international experience, Ryan William Azadpour has momentum on his side. His story is one of discipline, resilience, and pure love for skating—a combination that makes him one of the most promising young names in U.S. figure skating.
As Ryan himself says, it’s all about the glide: soaring, striving, and finding joy in every edge.