By Michelle Woo Photo courtesy of AFP/GETTY IMAGES
To the people of South Korea, Kim Yu-na is much more than a figure skater.
She’s a bearer of hope.
Last month, the 18-year-old phenom took home the gold at the World Figure Skating Championships at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, ending Japan’s two-year reign and bringing 18,000 spectators to their feet.
It was a roaring victory for South Korea, which had never before medaled in a world skating championship. On the front page of the Korea Times, Kim was hailed as “Queen Yu-na.” The JoongAng Ilbo added, “The whole world falls for her.” And according to the Associated Press, President Lee Myung-bak called Kim to say, “You gave many people hope at this difficult time.”
Kim currently trains in Canada under two-time Olympic medalist Brian Orser, with their focus now turning to the 2010 Olympics. Just weeks before her world skating victory, she answered KoreAm’s questions via email.
How did you get your start on the ice?
I was 7 years old when my mom recommended that I learn figure skating. I loved it from the very beginning. Eight months later, a coach told my mom that I had potential to become a great skater and after, I decided to become an elite athlete.
Tell me about your parents.
My father runs a small company that manufactures electronics in Korea. My mother is a housewife and my everlasting companion in figure skating. She has accompanied me to every training and competition. She’s sometimes like a coach, and sometimes like a sister or friend.
How is training in Canada different from training in Korea?
In Korea, there are good coaches, but their styles are quite different. Korean coaches usually stress technical aspects and Canadian coaches seem to value artistic aspects.
Who’s your skating role model?
Michelle Kwan.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
I usually make the sign of the cross right before a performance.
What goes on in your mind when you’re out on the ice?
I want to touch the audience so I try to communicate with my eyes.
How do you handle pressure?
As I become more popular, I feel more pressure. But from some experience, I’ve gotten used to that and I try to only focus on my own performance whenever I compete.
What do you need to work on?
I try to improve the success rate of not only the jumps, but every element in the program like steps and spins.
Do you ever feel like you’re missing out on your teen years?
Sometimes I imagine a “normal” life, but I know having that would not be easy for me now. I learned from my career that whenever I get something, I have to pay something. That means I should give up a large part of my teenage life to become a figure skater. But it is OK because I’m fully satisfied with myself now.
What’s your advice for young skaters?
You may face obstacles, but never give up if you love figure skating.
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