'Dancing With the Stars' Apolo Ohno strips down: 'I went shirtless - it felt good!'

History was made tonight (Nov. 5) on "Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars": Apolo Ohno finally showed some skin!

After eight weeks of urging by pro partner Karina Smirnoff, the speed-skating champion finally agreed to take off his shirt during their electrifying cha-cha/paso doble fusion dance.

"I think everyone takes off clothes every week," Apolo noted backstage after their performance, but this was a first for the Season 4 mirror-ball trophy winner.

"I went shirtless -- it felt good," he told us. "It was in tune with the dance. I loved it. The paso was super-strong; the cha-cha was fun and fast ... I loved it."

"Karina asked me to do it [from] week one," he shared. "She said you don't need a shirt, you can just dance in pants the whole season."

"He does resist me a lot when I ask him to take off clothing," laughed Karina.

"Confidence comes from within -- I don't gotta show it," Apolo growled. "It's got to be the right moment."

What did you think of Apolo's bare-chested performance? Are you hoping Karina finds a way to make more "right moments" in the weeks ahead?