Mirai Nagasu, USA Nagasu made headlines after anchoring the ladies' free skate portion of the team event, in which she became only the third woman in history (and first American) to land a triple axel at the Olympics. But this is only the cherry on top of a long career that began with a first national championship in 2008 at the age of 14, followed by a fourth-place finish at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010. While much attention has focused on the teenage "jumping beans" at home and abroad, Nagasu's hard work has given her a breakthrough season once again. Image Source: Getty / Jean Catuffe