Kim Yuna
Kim Yuna
Kim Yunais a former South Korean figure skater. She is the 2010 Olympic champion and 2014 silver medalist in ladies' singles; the 2009, 2013 World champion; the 2009 Four Continents champion; a three-timeGrand Prix Final champion; the 2006 World Junior champion; the 2005 Junior Grand Prix Final champion; and a six-timeSouth Korean national champion...
NationalitySouth Korean
ProfessionAthlete
Date of Birth5 September 1990
expect people review
People expect that I'll be just perfect on ice, and that's not the case. I make mistakes, too. When I review my performance, sometimes I feel I did awful. That's the whole part of the process of what people see when I'm performing.
country
The thought of having the expectations of the whole country on my shoulders worried and unnerved me.
defending focusing people straight
Many people talk about winning two straight gold medals, but I'm not focusing on defending the title.
ice learned nervous olympic
I have learned from the first Olympics, of course. When I went to my first Olympic Games, I experienced all of the pressure and was able to win the gold medal. I try not to feel the pressure, and I try not to be nervous when I am on the ice and when I compete.
fans finding goal gold interest medal next public single trouble vancouver winning
I had trouble finding my next goal after winning a gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics, but the interest of the public and my fans in me got even bigger. I wanted to get away from the pressure, even for a single day.
chance country great happen olympics performing
If, by any chance, I get to perform, then it would be a great honor for me. Especially because performing in the Olympics in your country doesn't happen to many skaters.
canada felt forth four since states trained
I trained for four years in Toronto, and even before that, I was back and forth between Canada and the States during summer for training. And, since there isn't much difference between Canada and the States, I haven't felt much difference in the environment.
competition completed free huge itself olympics programs short vancouver
The Vancouver Olympics was the first competition where I completed the short and free programs without any mistakes, and that in itself was a huge achievement.
huge increased interest koreans skaters
The popularity of figure skating has increased tremendously, and Koreans have a huge interest in figure skaters - not only me, other international skaters as well.
came preparing rather rink skills special wrapping
When I came back on the rink in 2012, I set a goal of wrapping up my career well rather than just winning medals. I'm not preparing for any special skills for Sochi because I don't feel like they are necessary.
expected koreans olympics skating time
When I was little, I had never really expected to win such a big competition. For a long time, just skating in the Olympics had been my goal because not many Koreans had done it.
challenge goals life next peace prepare sports
Where there is peace, there is sports; where there is sports, there is peace. Peace is what allows us, especially young people, to dream, go after one's goals and prepare you for the next challenge in life.
best coming emptiness gold ice love motivated skating time won
After I won the Olympics, like any gold medalist, I did feel some emptiness in my heart. I did think about coming back to the ice for a long time. What motivated me is skating is something I am best at and I love the most. So I want to give it one more try.
given great
L.A. is a city that has given me great support for skating.