Rising star of South African figure skating eyes world stage
Following her standout performance at the recent 2025 SAFSA National Championships, Junior Ladies Champion Jasmine Coetzee is making waves both locally and abroad. Her victory marks the next chapter in a journey that began on a small ice rink in Aktobe, Kazakhstan, and now points toward the 2030 Winter Olympics.
“Despite all the challenges this season, I was able to fight through my performance. The feeling is truly indescribable,” says Coetzee. “When I realised I had won, all I felt was a mix of relief, pride, and pure joy. It made every sacrifice worth it.”
At just five and a half years old, Jasmine first stepped onto the ice on a whim, and by age nine, she knew skating would be more than a hobby. Since then, her development has been shaped by international training stints in Canada and Russia, including five years at Champs International Skating Club under Megumu Seki and sessions with the renowned Angels of Plushenko. Today, she trains in Almaty, Kazakhstan, under Ilia Klimkin, supported by her South African coach Dino Quattrocecere.
“From the first time I saw her skate, I thought to myself, this child is going to be special,” says Quattrocecere. “She has champion material inside of her, and it would be my job to coax it out and make it shine.”
Coetzee’s recent Nationals victory did not come without obstacles. After two missed jumps in her free program, she pulled herself back into the performance with poise and resilience.
“That moment changed my entire perception of what she can attain,” Quattrocecere continues. “Many skaters would have thrown in the towel, but Jasmine is a fighter. She does not quit.”
Balancing elite training with her second-year college studies, focusing on sports and physical education has not been easy. But Coetzee has learned to manage time, stay focused, and thrive in high-pressure environments.
“It takes a lot of discipline to juggle academics and international travel, but I have learned to stay organised and centred,” she says.
Her success is the result of both technical discipline and artistic evolution. As one of the tallest junior skaters on the international circuit, Coetzee’s long lines and elegant presentation have become her signature style.
“We use her height to her advantage in choreography, while she works hard to ensure efficient rotations in her jumps,” says Quattrocecere.
Coetzee has her sights set on qualifying for Junior Worlds, narrowly missing the technical score by just 1.53 points last season. She and her coaching team are planning appearances on the Junior Grand Prix circuit and other key international competitions every four to five weeks leading up to the qualification cutoff.
“My short-term goals are to achieve a new personal best and deliver clean, confident programs,” she explains. “Qualifying for Junior Worlds would mean a great deal to me, to SAFSA, and to my coach.”
Her long-term dream? Competing at the 2030 Winter Olympic Games. It is a goal she shares with Quattrocecere, who himself represented South Africa at the 1994 Winter Olympics.
“With Jasmine, I truly see someone who can get there. We have started our roadmap to the Olympics, with clear short-, medium-, and long-term milestones,” he says.
A significant part of her success is owed to the support of her parents, Michael and Lola Coetzee.
“I give massive credit to her family. They have sacrificed tremendously to ensure that Jasmine has every opportunity to reach and exceed her goals,” says Quattrocecere.
Coetzee is motivated by her skating idol Carolina Kostner and embraces a training philosophy built on resilience and joy.
“Progress does not happen overnight. It takes patience, dedication, and a love for what you do. Never lose the joy of skating. That is when amazing things happen,” she says.
Outside the rink, she enjoys arts and crafts and spending time with friends and family. It is a balance that keeps her grounded as she prepares to represent South Africa on the global stage.
“She is not only a technically strong athlete but an intelligent and thoughtful competitor who absorbs instruction and thrives under challenge,” says Quattrocecere. “I could not be prouder.”
With her sights set on Junior Worlds, the Olympic Games, and everything in between, Coetzee is skating her way into history, one graceful, powerful stride at a time.
![SAFSA Socials 14[84]](https://safsa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SAFSA-Socials-1484-1200x1200-394x330.jpg "SAFSA Socials 14[84]")
