The Best Skaters: 2000s

Yuna Kim is one of the most gifted figure skaters of all time. Kim's mastery lies not in jump alone but her versatility.

Also, Kim, like Elaine Zayak, prompted the ISU to change the rules to curb her exclusive dominance in competition.

Yuna Kim brought many things into the sport. Among them is the standard quality of ladies figure skating in triple era. Her skating has virtually defined "quality".

Arakawa is a World champion in 2004 and 2006. She is also the first Japanese skater to win an Olympic gold medal.

Arakawa is a technically balanced skater. She is the one of those whose skating are well rounded and competitively strong.

Mao Asada could have been the greatest skater of 2000s.

At her 16, Asada conquered the world. That wasn't a media-hyped junior champion nor was it a global fraud like the current Russian skaters. Asada was a legitimate champion of the day.

When Asada beat Irina Slutskaya, the incumbent World Champion, her skating was one of a kind; it's not like Satoko's or Liza's or Elena's. It was a fully fledged figure skating.

Kimmie is the one who could have led U.S. ladies figure skating to another level.

We could have seen another Renaissance had Kimmie stayed healthy and successfully formed a trio with Yuna Kim and Mao Asada. I lamented, every time I watched Kimmie's performances in the 2006 Worlds.

At the time Kimmie was everything we needed. Of course, I can't tell for sure whether or not she could have done it. It's only a matter of speculation. But I am biased to believe that Kimmie's injury lost her momentum to rise up.

Joannie Rochette is arguably the best power skater in the 2000s.

Although Rochette almost always trailed Kim and Asada, she was one of three best skaters during Kim's tenure. Armed with power and speed, Rochette's skating shows what a power skater is capable of.

Sasha Cohen made a household name for her signature style.

Her skating seriously lacks of jumping technique but what she brought to the sport was an opportunity to see another side of the sport. Like the Great Biellmann, Cohen helped people understand that figure skating is a many-sided sport.

After all figure skating is much more than just an array of jumping sequence.

As a skater, Kostner was almost always overshadowed by Rochette. That's due to Kostner's disastrous jump inconsistency. And that plagued Kostner throughout her career.

However, Kostner in her own right makes another trio with Yuna Kim and Mao Asada.

As we all saw in the Sochi Olympics in 2014, Kostner's comeback was an impressive one. Kostner proved herself to be a late bloomer, if you will.

Lepisto is a jewel in the era of titans.

She is an World bronze medalist in 2009, an European champion in 2010 and a two-time Finnish national champion.

Lepisto's skating is spotless in terms of technical junks and cheats. The color of her skating is unique and full of charms that treat figure skating fans like no others. It is such a joy to watch her skating.

Although Lepisto in her career was never able to challenge big shots such as Kim, Asada, Rochette or Kostner, her skating always shines in crystal beauty.

In terms of jumping consistency, Miki Ando is the opposite to Kostner.

Miki Ando is a skater with arguably the best jumping consistency. She is a World champion in 2007 and 2011, a Four Continent champion in 2007, and a three-time Japanese national champion.

However, Ando is one of the skaters whose musicality is poorest.

Sugurie is a remarkably accomplished skater, as far as longevity is concerned.

She is a three-time World medalist, a three-time Four Continent champion, the 2003 Grand Prix Final champion, and a five-time Japanese national champion.

Her passion for figure skating has extended her career for more than 15 years.