This April 2024 photo provided by Mattel shows Christy Yamaguchi and the company's Barbie doll, which is modeled after the figure skater. Yamaguchi became the first Asian American to win a gold medal in individual figure skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics.
Associated PressChristy Yamaguchi, the Bay Area figure skating star and the first Asian American to win a gold medal in individual ice skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics, created a Barbie doll in her image.
The doll is part of Barbie's Inspirational Women series, released by toy manufacturer Mattel in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May.
“It's a great, great honor,” Yamaguchi told The Associated Press. “I think there's a lot of pride that comes with that. Not only recognizing Olympic accomplishments, but being recognized during AAPI Month and following in the footsteps of some of the amazing women I admire, Anna May Wong, Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks. It's hard to see me being put in the same category as them.
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This April 2024 image provided by Mattel shows the company's Christy Yamaguchi Barbie doll.
Associated PressYamaguchi was depicted as a doll decades ago when she appeared on the touring show “Stars on Ice.” But for the Olympic champion from Contra Costa County, joining the Barbie lineup means more. She said, “It's a really ticklish pink color.”
This doll captures Yamaguchi, a best-selling children's book author and clothing designer, when she competed in the Olympics in Albertville, France, at just 20 years old. Her sparkling black and gold brocade costume, designed by Lauren Sheehan, featured a golden hair ribbon and a red and white bouquet of flowers that Yamaguchi held aloft on the podium.
“It certainly looks like me,” Yamaguchi says. “It's the eye and face shape. And, of course, the hair. I mean, it has '90s bangs.”
This April 2024 image provided by Mattel shows the company's Christy Yamaguchi Barbie doll.
Associated PressWhat impresses Yamaguchi most about the limited-edition doll is its ability to impress her 18- and 20-year-old daughters, especially after last year's blockbuster Barbie movies.
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“When they found out I was going to get a doll, they were kind of surprised and were like, 'What?'” How do you qualify, just like your mom? But that’s too cool for you,” Yamaguchi said.
The country has come a long way since 1992, when Yamaguchi, a fourth-generation Japanese American, was denied the same number of sponsorship deals as other Olympic gold medalists because of his Asian heritage. But he had one exception. Kellogg's had a photo of Yamaguchi on the box of Special K cereal.
“When kids see themselves and see people who inspire them, it just expands their imagination of the world and possibilities,” she said.
American figure skater Christy Yamaguchi arrives at the White House for the state dinner in Washington, DC on April 10, 2024. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a state dinner as part of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's official state visit.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty ImagesPrevious recipients of Barbie Inspiring Women, which spotlights great women in history, include jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, educator Dr. Jane Goodall, investigative journalist Ida B. Wells, and artist These include Frida Kahlo in the house and Amelia Earhart in the aviator.
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Yuan Yuan Tan, the youngest principal dancer in San Francisco Ballet history and the first Chinese dancer to hold the position at a major Western ballet company, was also named Barbie Global Role Model by Mattel in 2018. Awarded as a member of the series. It was unique and not for sale.
The Kristi Yamaguchi doll is priced at $44.99 and is available at MattelCreations.com while supplies last. This doll may also be available at select Target and Walmart stores and online via Amazon.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Contact Aidin Vaziri: avaziri@sfchronicle.com
