J.R. Celski

Quick Facts

• Fought homesickness when he moved to California for training at age 14
• Starting his second year as an Athlete Mentor for Classroom Champions, a non-profit organization partnering Olympic and Paralympic athletes with students and teachers in underserved communities. J.R. mentors 6th grade students in Concord CA
• Switched from inline skating to speed skating
• Filmed the documentary "The Otherside"
• Started skating at the age of 3
• Enjoys traveling to Japan because of the culture and food
• Is a fan of the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Sounders (MLS) and Seattle Mariners (MLB)
• Manny Pacquiao is his idol
• Has a dog named Cali
• When he isn't on the ice, he enjoys golfing, cycling and traveling
• He and his two brothers have a tattoo of their ethnic roots (Filipino & Polish)
• Knows how to play the guitar
• Favorite music: Hip-Hop & Alternative Rock
• Favorite food: Sushi
• Favorite quote: "Everybody faces challenges. What defines you is how you overcome them."

Career Highlights

• 2019 - Retired from competition
• 2017-18 World Cup Seoul - 1500m bronze; 5000m relay bronze; 500m 8th; 1000m 26th
• 2017-18 World Cup Shanghai - 5000m relay gold; 1000m 12th; 500m 18th; 1500m 39th
• 2017-18 World Cup Dordrecht - 5000m relay 6th; 1500m 8th; 500m 14th; 1000m 20th
• 2017-18 World Cup Budapest - 5000m relay 6th; 1000m 8th; 500m 20th
• 2017-18 Short Track World Cup Team
• 2017-18 Short Track National Training Program
• 2016-17 World Cup Dresden - 1000m bronze
• 2016-17 World Cup Gangneung - 5000m relay bronze
• 2016-17 Short Track National Training Program
• 2016-17 Short Track World Cup Team
• 2015-16 Short Track National Training Program
• 2015-16 Short Track World Cup Team
• 2013-14 World Cup Kolomna - 1500m gold; 5000m relay gold; 1000m bronze
• 2013-14 World Cup Shanghai - 5000m relay gold
• 2013-14 World Cup Seoul - 5000m relay silver
• 2012-13 U.S. Short Track Speedskating Championships - overall champion
• 2012-13 World Cup Calgary - 500m gold; 1000m bronze
• 2012-13 World Cup Nagoya - 1000m silver
• 2012-13 World Cup Montreal - 1500m silver; 5000m relay bronze
• 2012-13 World Cup Calgary - 1000m bronze
• 2012-13 World Cup Sochi - 1000m bronze
• 2011-12 World Cup Nagoya - 1000m silver
• 2011-12 World Cup Moscow - 1500m bronze
• 2011-12 World Cup Dordrecht - 1000m bronze
• 2008-09 World Cup Dresden - 1500m gold; 1000m silver
• 2008-09 World Cup Vancouver - 5000m relay gold
• 2008-09 World Cup Beijing - 5000m relay gold
• 2008-09 World Cup Salt Lake City - 5000m relay silver

Olympic Experience

• 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games - 5000m relay 5th; 1500m 22nd; 1000m 24th
• Qualified for the 2018 U.S. Olympic Team - finished second in the men's 1000m, 1500m and overall at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials
• 2014 Olympic Winter Games 5000m relay silver; 1500m 4th; 500m 6th; 1000m 13th
• 2010 Olympic Winter Games 5000m relay bronze; 1500m bronze; 1000m 8th

World Championship Experience

• 2016-17 World Championships - 1000m 7th; 5000m relay 7th; 8th 1500m; 13th overall
• 2013-14 World Championships - 500m silver; 1500m 12th; 1000m 6th; 5000m relay 6th; silver overall
• 2009-10 World Championships - 1000m bronze; 1500m 4th; 500m 9th; 5000m relay silver; 4th overall
• 2008-09 World Championships - 5000m relay gold; 1000m bronze; 1500m bronze; 500m 16th; silver overall
• 2008-09 World Team Championships - bronze