ID :
35403
Sat, 12/13/2008 - 10:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/35403
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean Kim Yu-na inches toward third straight Grand Prix Final title
(ATTN: ADDS comments, background; RECASTS lead, headline)
By Sam Kim
GOYANG, South Korea, Dec. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Kim Yu-na headed off a
strong performance by Japan's Mao Asada on Friday to claim the first half of the
Grand Prix Final in her country, inching closer to her third straight title at
the top figure skating event.
Performing in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 2,600, the 18-year-old
completed an elaborate sequence of spins and jumps, but made a minor slip in her
second triple lutz as she competed against her five top-ranked rivals.
Kim completed the short program with a score of 65.94, edging past world No. 1
Asada, who earned only about half a point less to post 65.38. Japan's Yukari
Nakano scored 62.08 to finish third. The contestants will continue their
competition in the free skate Saturday in the city of Goyang, just west of Seoul.
"I felt quite nervous, and I felt a little disheartened by the slip," Kim said in
a press conference, explaining why she was seen wiping tears from her face
following the performance.
"I had hoped to do better because this was a competition held in my country. The
strain unraveled quickly after the performance, and the tears rolled out," she
said.
Kim said she was satisfied with the other parts of her performance, saying they
were "neatly done," and thanked the South Korean fans for their support at the
ice rink.
"It was more than I had imagined," Kim said, describing her astonishment at
bouquets and teddy bears that descended upon her following the performance.
"Presents poured in, nearly covering the ice."
Kim, a high school student recently granted admission to a top university in
Seoul, is a star who commands a fan base as big as any celebrity in South Korea.
She is the first from her country ever to win a medal at a senior international
figure skating event, and has captured the last five Grand Prix series events she
has competed in since 2006.
In an earlier contest, Japan's Takahiko Kozuka took the lead in the men's
competition, scoring 83.90 in the short program to edge past Jeremy Abbott of the
United States, who finished second.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
By Sam Kim
GOYANG, South Korea, Dec. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Kim Yu-na headed off a
strong performance by Japan's Mao Asada on Friday to claim the first half of the
Grand Prix Final in her country, inching closer to her third straight title at
the top figure skating event.
Performing in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 2,600, the 18-year-old
completed an elaborate sequence of spins and jumps, but made a minor slip in her
second triple lutz as she competed against her five top-ranked rivals.
Kim completed the short program with a score of 65.94, edging past world No. 1
Asada, who earned only about half a point less to post 65.38. Japan's Yukari
Nakano scored 62.08 to finish third. The contestants will continue their
competition in the free skate Saturday in the city of Goyang, just west of Seoul.
"I felt quite nervous, and I felt a little disheartened by the slip," Kim said in
a press conference, explaining why she was seen wiping tears from her face
following the performance.
"I had hoped to do better because this was a competition held in my country. The
strain unraveled quickly after the performance, and the tears rolled out," she
said.
Kim said she was satisfied with the other parts of her performance, saying they
were "neatly done," and thanked the South Korean fans for their support at the
ice rink.
"It was more than I had imagined," Kim said, describing her astonishment at
bouquets and teddy bears that descended upon her following the performance.
"Presents poured in, nearly covering the ice."
Kim, a high school student recently granted admission to a top university in
Seoul, is a star who commands a fan base as big as any celebrity in South Korea.
She is the first from her country ever to win a medal at a senior international
figure skating event, and has captured the last five Grand Prix series events she
has competed in since 2006.
In an earlier contest, Japan's Takahiko Kozuka took the lead in the men's
competition, scoring 83.90 in the short program to edge past Jeremy Abbott of the
United States, who finished second.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
