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Yuna Kim

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Yuna Kim is a legendary figure skater from South Korea.

Kim 2010 Olympic medal ceremony
Kim 2010 Olympic medal ceremony

Many people call her "Queen Yuna" because of her incredible skill and popularity. She is considered one of the greatest figure skaters in history. Her skating was well-rounded, meaning she excelled in many different areas of the sport. This included technical jumps, graceful movement, and artistic expression. Kim had a massive impact on the sport of figure skating globally.

Yuna Kim 2014 Olympic Free Skating
Yuna Kim 2014 Olympic Free Skating

Figure skating involves performing complex movements on ice. Skaters must master jumps, spins, and footwork. Kim began her journey at age five at a local rink. She learned to perform difficult jumps, such as the triple toe loop. She landed her first triple toe loop at age ten. By age twelve, she could perform almost all types of triple jumps. She even used a triple-triple jump combination as a "secret weapon."

Camel yuna1
Camel yuna1

Kim's career moved through several distinct stages. She began in novice competitions, winning gold in Slovenia in 2002. She then moved to the junior level. In the 2004–05 season, she competed in the ISU Junior Grand Prix. She won the 2006 World Junior Championships, becoming the first Korean skater to win that title. Finally, she entered the senior level. This is the highest level of competitive skating. In the senior ranks, she faced the world's best athletes.

Her early life was filled with both passion and struggle.

Kim 2009 World Championship FS
Kim 2009 World Championship FS

She was born in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Her mother, Park Mi-hee, was a major contributor to her success. Her mother acted as a coach, manager, and mentor. The family often struggled to pay for skating expenses. At one point, her parents used their house as collateral for a bank loan. To improve her skills, Kim eventually moved to Toronto, Canada. There, she began training with coach Brian Orser at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club.

Kim and Orser 2007-2008 GPF
Kim and Orser 2007-2008 GPF

Kim's competitive record is filled with historic achievements.

2010 Olympic ladies podium
2010 Olympic ladies podium

She won the gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. She also earned a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Kim was a two-time World champion, winning in 2009 and 2013. She broke world records 11 different times during her career. She was the first woman to score above 150 points in a free skate. She was also the first to score over 200 points in a combined total score.

2013 World Championships Ladies Podium
2013 World Championships Ladies Podium

Throughout her career, Kim faced intense competition and physical challenges. She had a famous rivalry with Japanese skater Mao Asada. They headlined women's skating for two Olympic cycles. Kim also dealt with physical injuries. She suffered from a pelvic-muscle injury and later from lumbar disc herniation. Despite these hurdles, she never finished off the podium in her competitive career. This means she always won a medal in every major event she entered.

Kim 2009 World Championship FS
Kim 2009 World Championship FS

Kim's influence extends far beyond the ice rink. After retiring in 2014, she helped bring the 2018 Winter Olympics to Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Opening ceremony DVo-tC7U0AAPyz3
Opening ceremony DVo-tC7U0AAPyz3

She also started a professional career in ice shows like "All That Skate." Because of her many sponsorships, she remained one of the highest-paid athletes in South Korea. In 2010, Time magazine included her on its list of the World's 100 Most Influential People. Her legacy connects the world of sports, business, and international culture.

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🖼️ Images & Media (30)
File:Kim and Orser 2007-2008 GPF.jpg
Kim and Orser 2007-2008 GPF.jpg
File:Kim 2006 Skate Canada FS crossover.jpg
Kim 2006 Skate Canada FS crossover.jpg
File:David Wilson - 2016 Worlds (cropped).jpg
David Wilson - 2016 Worlds (cropped).jpg
File:Kim Yu-Na Podium 2008 Worlds.jpg
Kim Yu-Na Podium 2008 Worlds.jpg
File:Kim 2009 Worlds SP.jpg
Kim 2009 Worlds SP.jpg
File:Kim 2009 World Championship FS.jpg
Kim 2009 World Championship FS.jpg
File:Kim 2009 TEB SP.jpg
Kim 2009 TEB SP.jpg
File:2010 Olympics Figure Skating Ladies - Ladies Podium - 7941a.jpg
2010 Olympics Figure Skating Ladies -...
File:Oppegard - 2016 Four Continents (cropped).jpg
Oppegard - 2016 Four Continents (cropped).jpg
File:Kim 2011 World Championship FS.jpg
Kim 2011 World Championship FS.jpg
File:Kim 2013 World Championship SP.jpg
Kim 2013 World Championship SP.jpg
File:Kim 2013 World Championship FS.jpg
Kim 2013 World Championship FS.jpg

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