The Sport Player: Kim Yu Na

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Kim Yu Na

Kim Yu-Na (born September 5, 1990) is a South Korean figure skater. She is the 2010 Olympic champion in Ladies' Singles, the 2009 World champion, the 2009 Four Continents champion, a three-time (2006–2007, 2007–2008, 2009–2010) Grand Prix Final champion, the 2006 World Junior champion, the 2005–2006 Junior Grand Prix Final champion, and a four-time (2002–2005) South Korean national champion. Kim is the first South Korean figure skater to win a medal at an ISU Junior or Senior Grand Prix event, ISU Championship, and the Olympic Games. She is the first female skater to win the Olympic Games, the World Championships, the Four Continents Championships and the Grand Prix Final. She is one of the most highly recognized athletes and media figures in South Korea. As of May 2011, she is ranked 6th in the world by the International Skating Union (ISU). She is the current record holder for ladies in the short program, the free skating and the combined total under the ISU Judging System. She is also the first female skater to surpass the 200-point mark under the ISU Judging System. She has never been placed off the podium in her entire career.