ID :
53185
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 21:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/53185
The shortlink copeid
Kim Yu-na vows Olympic gold upon return home
INCHEON, March 31 (Yonhap) -- Kim Yu-na, the world champion in women's single figure skating, said she will work hard to win gold in the Olympics next year as she returned home Tuesday to a hearty welcome by hundreds of adoring fans.
Kim claimed her first women's single gold medal with a record 207.71 points at
the 2009 World Figure Skating Championship in Los Angeles on Saturday (local
time).
The 18-year-old, recording 131.59 points in the free skate, topped the 200-point
barrier for the first time in the women's single event. She also received a
record 76.12 points for her performance in the short program a day before.
"I'm happy to win the world championship title. It's what I really wanted," Kim
told reporters at Incheon International Airport. "I'll do my best to stay
conditioned to claim Olympic gold."
A sea of cameras flashed as she appeared after clearing customs, a garland around
her neck. Described by airport officials as one of the largest welcoming crowds
ever, hundreds shouted and chanted her name as they waited hours to catch a
glimpse of the queen on ice.
The crowd trailed her into a nearby conference room as Kim was encircled by
dozens of bodyguards.
Finishing the season with the world championship trophy, she aims to give her
country its first Olympic gold medal in figure skating in 2010.
"I appreciate the support of the Korean people," said the 18-year-old figure
queen. "I know many people hope for the first gold in the Vancouver Winter Games.
I will do my best to live up to the expectation."
Kim, now simply called the "Queen," is the biggest celebrity in her country where
TV stations run continuous broadcasts of her performances, as well as
documentaries and commercials featuring the acclaimed skater. Companies suffering
from the economic recession are trying to get her to appear in their ads. South
Korea's leading lender Kookmin Bank and Hyundai Motors are already leading
sponsors.
During her one-month break at home, Kim is scheduled to shoot at least five TV
commercials and hold an ice show.
She said she will start her new training session for the next season in May. Kim
trains in Toronto, Canada, with coach Brian Oser, a two-time Olympic silver
medalist.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
Kim claimed her first women's single gold medal with a record 207.71 points at
the 2009 World Figure Skating Championship in Los Angeles on Saturday (local
time).
The 18-year-old, recording 131.59 points in the free skate, topped the 200-point
barrier for the first time in the women's single event. She also received a
record 76.12 points for her performance in the short program a day before.
"I'm happy to win the world championship title. It's what I really wanted," Kim
told reporters at Incheon International Airport. "I'll do my best to stay
conditioned to claim Olympic gold."
A sea of cameras flashed as she appeared after clearing customs, a garland around
her neck. Described by airport officials as one of the largest welcoming crowds
ever, hundreds shouted and chanted her name as they waited hours to catch a
glimpse of the queen on ice.
The crowd trailed her into a nearby conference room as Kim was encircled by
dozens of bodyguards.
Finishing the season with the world championship trophy, she aims to give her
country its first Olympic gold medal in figure skating in 2010.
"I appreciate the support of the Korean people," said the 18-year-old figure
queen. "I know many people hope for the first gold in the Vancouver Winter Games.
I will do my best to live up to the expectation."
Kim, now simply called the "Queen," is the biggest celebrity in her country where
TV stations run continuous broadcasts of her performances, as well as
documentaries and commercials featuring the acclaimed skater. Companies suffering
from the economic recession are trying to get her to appear in their ads. South
Korea's leading lender Kookmin Bank and Hyundai Motors are already leading
sponsors.
During her one-month break at home, Kim is scheduled to shoot at least five TV
commercials and hold an ice show.
She said she will start her new training session for the next season in May. Kim
trains in Toronto, Canada, with coach Brian Oser, a two-time Olympic silver
medalist.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
