At the 1981 national figure skating championships in Halifax, Lyndon Johnston and his partner Melinda Kunhegyi captured the top prize in the junior pairs and fours pairs event.

That triumph helped launch Hamiota’s pride and joy onto an international figure skating career which included appearances at two Olympic Games (1984 and 1988), six World Championships, and culminated with a silver medal at the 1989 World Championships. During that time, he established himself as the best male pairs skater in the world along with partners Kunhegyi, Denise Benning and Cindy Landry.

A three-time finalist for Manitoba Male Athlete of the Year, Johnston began his 17 year skating career in 1973. Along the way, he won 25 medals, 12 trophies, 13 Silver Cups in pre-nationals competition, 18 medals at National Championships and 15 international medals, seven gold, six silver and two bronze medals.

With his various partners, Johnston competed in 17 different European and North American cities and also did exhibitions with the ‘World and Olympic Team’ in 1988 and 1989 in 30 cities in Europe and another 25 in North America, and the 1990 World tour which performed in another 30 U.S. cities.

He also played a prominent role in the revitalization of fours skating both in Canada and on the world scene, winning Canadian Championships and skating world exhibitions.

While Johnston was making his mark on the national and international scene, he never forgot his home section. Despite the fact he trained year-round in Ontario, he was always an inspirational member of Team Manitoba at Divisionals and Nationals.

An ambassador for the sport and for the country, Lyndon Johnston retired from competitive skating, and became a coach in Preston, Ontario. He now teaches at the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Florida.