Yuna donates her entire PRIZE MONEY to Japan

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Yuna Kim donates prize money to Japan quake survivors

SEOUL, Republic of Korea, 4 May 2011 - UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Yuna Kim says she will donate her silver prize money of $27,000 from the World Figure Skating Championships to children affected by the Japanese earthquake.

“I was heartbroken at the news that still many children in Japan are suffering from the devastating earthquake. So I decided to donate my '2011 World Figure Skating Championships' prize money to UNICEF to support these children,” Ms. Kim said.

“I hope my donation will help Japan recover from the tragedy in a short period of time and affected children can have a better life. I wish many people will continue to support children in Japan, who are still waiting for our help and love.”

It is not the first time Yuna Kim has helped children in need. Even before becoming a Goodwill Ambassador, she donated over $83,000 to Haiti earthquake victims through UNICEF.

As a Goodwill Ambassador, she has made additional donations to the work of UNICEF and appeared in a special video marking the six month anniversary of the earthquake to thank donors and urge continued support for the children in Haiti.

she's truly an angel on earth!

Hopefully this will minimize all the hate she gets from Japan due to the intense rivalry between Yuna and Japanese figureskaters :(

source: UNICEF

2011 World Figure skating Champs (part 2)

Here's a continuation of my previous post, this time featuring Yuna's performance for the long program category of the 2011 World Figure skating championships held at Moscow last week.

At the end you will see Yuna's final scores in which she ends up in 2nd place behind Miki Ando by only 1 point.While I wish Yuna had won Gold instead of Silver, I'm not too bummed that Miki won. I actually admire Miki, who really improved herself after a couple of seasons of falling behind in competitions; Miki definitely worked hard and stepped it up this year by becoming both Japanese Champion and World Champion. I think both Yuna and Miki deserve a lot of congratulations. As for the bronze medalist, Caroline Kostner of Italy...I personally think she got lucky to be in 3rd, kinda like how she got lucky to come in 2nd at the 2011 Euro Champs. Yuna and Miki's competition was so intense that there's barely a point between them....while Caroline trailed far behind at almost 11 points to separate her and Yuna. I really dont get Caroline's appeal, but maybe its just me. She makes the weirdest facial expressions, it just so awkward to watch.

Anyways, enough babbling from me, enjoy Yuna's performance below, entitled "Homage to Korea" which features traditional Korean music. I gotta say, I'm in love with her music, very original and unique. I've been getting tired of the same ol' classical music they play in skating competitions so Yuna's music is a breath of fresh air!

2011 World Figure skating Champs (part 1) + results

FINALLY!! I have found a vid of Yuna's brand new skating program at the 2011 World Figureskating Championships at Moscow. It is to the music of "Giselle", a famous ballet. She kinda botched her first jump, but still managed to score as the best performance for the short program category. I'm still searching for a good quality vid of Yuna's long program performance, which is entitled "Homage to Korea" and would feature traditional Korean music. She ended up scoring 2nd in the long program category, finishing 2nd overall since the long program counts more than the short program.

FINAL RESULTS: Yuna won the SILVER medal at the 2011 World Figureskating Championships. She lost the Gold to Miki Ando of Japan BY ONLY 1 FREAKING POINT!!!!


Yuna's main rival and last year's World Champ, Mao Asada, only finished 6th.


You still did amazing, Yuna! You will always be my World Champ!

Yuna confirmed for 2011 World Championships at Moscow

Yuna Kim confirmed for Moscow Worlds

We were wondering how the rescheduling of Worlds might affect the comeback of Olympic champion Yuna Kim. Aside from a little rearranging of schedules, the answer is not much.

Here is a statement from Kim's management about her plans:

SEOUL KOREA, MARCH 25, 2011 - AT Sports, Yuna Kim's management company, announced that Yuna Kim will be competing at the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships that has recently been rescheduled and relocated to Moscow, Russia after the devastating earthquake in Japan.

After the announcement by the ISU on March 24 confirming that Moscow will be hosting the World Championships from April 24 to May 1, Yuna Kim and her management company have been rearranging her schedule so that she can only focus on her training in preparation for the event.

"I've been busy with various engagements in Korea since my return. But I hope to regain my focus and amp up my training so that I can devote my full attention to the World Championships from now on" said Yuna Kim.

"I have great memories of Moscow as I had achieved a new World Record of 133.70 in the long program at the Grand Prix Cup of Russia in 2007. I remember the enthusiastic fans in Russia and I am glad I will be returning to the Megasport Arena." she further explains.

Kim returned to her native country of Republic of Korea on March 20 and has been training at the Taereung Training Center in Seoul, while working with the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Bidding Committee in efforts to win the bid for the city.

source: universal sports

The 2011 World Figure Skating Championships was originally scheduled to start last Monday but was postponed due to the earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, and so we did not get to see Yuna's brand new skating program. Yuna had skipped out on all the other major skating competitions since winning Gold at the Olympics over a year ago, so her fans are excited to see some new material from the queen of skating. Below is a teaser for what Yuna would have performed this week if the World Champs was not postponed. The program is called 'Giselle' based on the the ballet of the same name. However, in the video, the uploader used a background song of Yuna singing. I have to say, Yuna has definitely improved her skating, if that's even possible. She has always been known as one of the fastest figure skaters, but in the clip, her movements seemed to be even sharper and quicker, and her stretches are smoother. She is also known for her very expressive skating, and after watching clips of the European Championships, I've noticed that a lot of skaters are starting to copy Yuna's unique expressive style and arm movements lol.

Yuna Kim disappointed over postponement of World FigureSkating Championships

‘Figure Queen’ Yuna Kim expressed her disappointment in Tokyo Figure Skating World Championships being postponed. 

Kim returned to Korea on the afternoon of March 20, 8 months after she left to train abroad. 

She waved to her fans and the press and then moved to the press conference room. 

“It was mentally difficult because it was a post-Olympic season. 

However, as each month passed my strength began to build up and my programs became more refined. 

My preparations were going great, to the point that I thought it was possible to be at my Olympic condition,” said Kim.

If things had gone as planned, Kim would have arrived in Tokyo, Japan on the 20th for the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships. 

However the earthquake and the tsunami that struck Japan caused the World Championships to be caught in limbo and Kim changed her destination to Korea. 

During her stay, Kim will help with the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic bid. She is also planning to participate in a ice show that is currently scheduled for May at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium. 

■ Following is the Q&A from Kim’s interview

- How does it feel to be back in Korea?

“I feel a bit nervous since it’s been 8 months. I was preparing for the World Championships, which were to be held in Japan, in L.A. 

Unfortunately, due to the circumstances that happened two weeks ago I changed plans and came to Korea. 

It is a bit disappointing that Worlds has been postponed, since I was confident that I could do well after all that training. 

But at this point I hope that no more damage will happen (in Japan), and that is more important than a competition.”

- How did you prepare for the World Championships?

“There were changes since I moved may training grounds and started training with a new coach. 

It was mentally difficult because it was a post-Olympic season. 

However, as each month passed my strength began to build up and my programs became more refined. 

My preparations were going great, to the point that I thought it was possible to be at my Olympic condition.“

- Will we be able to see you compete next season?

“The fate of this season’s World Championships still remains undecided. It seems a bit early to talk about next season.”

- When do you think is the best time for Worlds?

“Every skater prepared with March Tokyo Worlds in mind. If there is a change in time scheduling there will be some sort of effect. 

Mentally it is sort of a letdown. Whether it (Worlds) is in May or October it will be difficult to remain in top form.”

- It will be difficult to prepare for Worlds while helping with the PyeongChang bid.

“We can’t do much until the ISU makes a decision. For now I’ll concentrate on my role as honorary ambassador of the PyeongChang 2018 Bid Committee.”

- Will you skate to your new short program ‘Giselle’ at the ice show as planned?

“I’m a bit disappointed that I could not debut it at Worlds.

But since the ice show is scheduled for next month it is difficult to change my plans and so we decided to reveal it. 

■Note: You said that you will debut ‘Giselle’ at an ice show. Will it be different from the one the World Championships program version?
 “There are a lot of environmental limitations in ice shows such as lighting and the size of the ice.
It will be difficult to do a triple combination so I will have to go for an alternate.”

- Are you planning to skate to your new exhibition program at the ice show?

“My new exhibition program was finished during January and February. I am planning to skate to it at the show.”

- Are you going to train without coach Peter Oppegard during your stay?

“I think I’ll be able to do it. Usually I train alone during my off-season stay in Korea.”

- What are your activities as an honorary ambassador of the PyeongChang 2018 Bid Committee?

“I’m planning to participate at the Sports Accord that will be held in Great Britain in April, and in May, the IOC technical briefing that will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland. 

There is also the IOC session in South Africa in July.”

- I must have been difficult to train during a post-Olympic season.  

“The post-Olympic season is mentally difficult to every Olympian. It was a difficult time for me as well. 

I think that is the reason that many skaters had a hard time this season, since figure skating is such a mental sport. 

But the skaters began to catch up to their usual paces as the season passed and they seemed to be in top form for the World Championships.”

- So does this mean that we will not be able to see your new free skating program?

“I can’t do the whole program but I may be able to skate to a shorter version in a show.”

■Note: Kim said that she might skate to ‘Homage to Korea’ in a ice show in August.
If so she says it will be a shorter exhibition version of the original long program.

■Note: If you reveal ‘Giselle’ and ‘Homage to Korea’ in the ice shows, will you prepare new programs for next season?
“I don’t know yet. I’ll have to discuss the matter.” 

- A message for the Japanese fans who have been through so much.

 “I was a bit nervous and at the same time looked forward to skating (at Worlds) and am disappointed that I could not show them what I prepared. 

However Japan is currently in a difficult situation and I think it is inappropriate for me to think of Worlds over such a crisis.

I hope that the Japanese people will suffer no more damages.”

- A message to the Korean fans?

“It’s been quite a while since my last visit and I’m disappointed that I couldn’t show my skating to everyone. 

But I’ll train twice as hard to show you a great performance in the ice show in May. I hope that a lot of people watch.” 

source: Yuna's amazing fansite, Feverskating

Japan postpones World Figure Skating Championships

World Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo postponed indefinitely after Japan earthquake, tsunami

The most prestigious event of the year in figure skating has been postponed indefinitely and faces its first cancellation in 50 years because of the crisis in Japan, international skating officials in Lausanne, Switzerland, announced on Monday.

The International Skating Union decided that it is "not possible" to open the six-day ISU World Figure Skating Championships next Monday in Tokyo.

ISU officials and Japanese authorities have been in discussions since a devastating earthquake and tsunami set off the crisis Friday morning.

"It's mixed emotions right now," Ryan Bradley, the men's U.S. figure skating champion, said by phone from Colorado Springs. "It's really frustrating for us. Obviously, we've been trying so hard to be ready. It's an exciting event, the highlight of our season.

"[But] I can't imagine going over there and pretending everything is okay. . . . It's almost irresponsible to go over there and skate in the midst of this."

A decision to postpone the championships was reached after "taking into account the continued critical developments in Japan, the ISU's primary concern for the safety of all participants, spectators and members of concerned entities as well as the travel advisories from many governments to avoid travel to Japan until the situation is settled," ISU President Ottavio Cinquanta and Director General Fredi Schmid said in a joint statement.

It is unclear whether the governing body is considering moving the event. The U.S. Figure Skating Association offered to provide an alternative site in the United States - Los Angeles held the championships in 2009 - but received no response from the ISU, according to a USFSA spokesperson. The ISU declined further comment.

Three male and two female singles skaters and three dance teams and two pairs teams from the United States had qualified for the event with top finishes at the recent U.S. championships. Bradley, Richard Dornbush, Ross Miner, Alissa Czisny and Rachael Flatt qualified in singles; Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin and Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig qualified in pairs; Meryl Davis and Charlie White, who were expected to contend for the gold medal, qualified in dance along with Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani and Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein.

The world figure skating championships have not been canceled since 1961, when they were not held after the entire U.S. figure skating team and a number of coaches and officials were killed in a plane crash.

The ISU said it will make an announcement when it has decided whether a final cancellation is appropriate. Bradley said he just finished a week of hard training and was beginning his customary pre-event "taper," a lightening of his workload to ensure he would be in top form when the event got underway.

Now, he said Monday morning, he was at loss as to how to prepare.
"It's unreal," he said. "I have to go to the rink and I have no idea how I'm going to train, how I'm going to prepare, or what I'm going to do."

The event not only crowns the sports champions, but it also sets the allocation of spots for each country for the following year's major championship. The governing body also postponed a smaller event, the ISU World Team Trophy, which was scheduled to take place April 14-17 in Yokohama.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry for being incognito for 5 days, guys! It's been finals week so I tried to avoid going to the internetz or else I'll ending up staying online the whole time instead of studying >_<


What sucks even more was how sick I was this week. Worst time to get the flu! 


Let's try to donate what we could for Japan...money, food, etc.!

source: washington post

Yuna's Schedule: International Visits

‘Figure Queen’ Yuna Kim will arrive in Tokyo, Japan on the March 20 for the World Figure Skating Championships. 

Kim’s management  ‘All That Sport’(ATS) confirmed this on Wednesday.
 
“According to the International Skating Union(ISU), official practices start on the 20th. So currently that is our planned arrival date. 

There might be a change in plans if the ISU makes changes in the schedule but the 20th is the most likely. 

The flights have not been decided on, but we will arrive in Tokyo in the afternoon," said ATS.

It will be ‘The return of the Queen’ for Kim who will participate in the World Championships that start on March 21. 

It is her first competition (after last year’s Worlds) after a year’s absence since she decided not to participate in the 2010-2011 Grand Prix events. 

Kim will debut her two new programs, ‘Giselle’ for her short program and ‘Homage to Korea’ for  her free skating. 

It is speculated that her new costumes will not be shown until then.
The ladies short program will be held on 25, and the free skating on 26. The exhibition gala show will be held on the 27.

Kim will return to Korea on the 28th and will help with PyeongChang bid for  the 2018 Winter Olympics.

First Kim will be attending the Sports Accord that will be held in London, Great Britain on April 3 – 8.

Her schedule after that is still being discussed with the PyeongChang 2018 Bid Committee. 

It has not been decided but Kim may participate at the International Olympic Committee(IOC) technical briefing that will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland  on May 18-19. 

Kim will also be preparing for an ice show that is scheduled to be held in May.

Kim will head back to Los Angeles in June.
 
It is speculated that she will participate in the IOC session where the 2018 Winter Olympic bid winner will be announced. 

The IOC session is to be held in Durban, South Africa on July 6.

If you live in any of these cities, try to catch a glimpse of Yuna! ;] 

 source

Yuna Kim is ready for World Champs

L.A. weather is great, but Kim ready for spring in Tokyo

After a year away, Olympic champion Yuna Kim is ready to return to competition ice in March at Worlds in Tokyo. Universalsports.com caught up with the new California girl to talk L.A., coaches, and goals. 

One year ago, with the pressure of an entire nation on its "Queen," South Korea's Yuna Kim realized the ultimate goal in figure skating. She became Olympic champion by skating two perfect performances. Many expected her to ride off into the history books, but not Kim.
Since Vancouver she has moved from Toronto to Los Angeles, changed coaches, and is now preparing to return to competition at the World Championships in March. UniversalSports.com caught up with the 20-year-old to see how she feels about competing for the first time in a year and about living in Hollywood.

When did it finally set in that you are Olympic champion?
It finally dawned on me that I realized my longtime dream of becoming an Olympic champion during the medal ceremony, when I got on the podium to receive gold medal. It was an emotional moment for me.

What was the most exciting opportunity you were given since winning the Olympic gold medal?
After the Olympics, I became the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and took part in the UN International Day of Peace ceremony. I feel honored to be involved with UNICEF and I'm proud I can play a small role in raising awareness in its causes.
Last September, I got a wonderful birthday present from my Korean fans; a donation under my name to UNICEF. I was so surprised, yet happy at the same time that my involvement can inspire people to start thinking about what makes a difference. Also, I got to meet some great female athletes at the Annual Gala of Women's Sports Foundation.

How difficult was the summer? You moved, changed coaches, and had to find motivation to train again after winning the sport's biggest prize...
Things were tough for a while, but I didn't have any issues adjusting to a new training environment and coach. In a way, it helped motivate me to move forward and look ahead.

What do you enjoy most about your new coach and training center?
Peter [Oppegard] is the kind of coach that pushes you hard during training but always encourages with positive words. We get along great. There are many good skaters training here in Artesia and they've been a wonderful source of energy.

How do you like Los Angeles - are you recognized a lot? Have you visited the beaches?
The great thing about L.A. is the weather. I've been to several beaches - Newport Beach, Santa Monica and Malibu. I am enjoying living in L.A. I get recognized a lot, especially by the Koreans and they are so nice. Their support and interest mean a lot to me.

You did not participate in the Grand Prix Series. What was it like to have this time to train and not compete for the first time in many years?
I was so focused on the Olympics during the entire season and I just needed to take some time off post-Olympic. I think I made the right decision skipping the Grand Prix series as it gave me more time to prepare for the World Championship. It's given me a chance to refocus and check my programs in more detail.

When did your training begin to pick up again after doing shows this summer and fall? When did you start to feel ready for Worlds?
I really started focusing on training for the new season in October, right after the All That Skate LA show when I started training with Peter Oppegard. I felt I was ready for the Worlds last month.

Are you trying any new elements this season?
There won't be any surprises. My technical elements will not be very different from last year. I'm focused on perfecting the artistic movements and expressions of the characters in my programs. I want to be able to tell a story to the audience.

What aspects of your skating have you been working to improve?
As my preparation for the season started later this year, my goal has been to get back into the same top physical condition as pre-Olympics.

Are you nervous to compete again? 
Yes, I am little bit nervous but excited at the same time.

What are you goals for Worlds?
I want to show everything that I prepared for the Worlds and breathe with the audience. The result will come along with that.

What are you looking forward to at Worlds?
It's been a year since my last competition and I look forward to returning to the ice. I can't wait to present my new programs to the audience and fans.

source 

NY Times predicts Yuna Kim victory at World Champs

New York Times predicts that Yuna would win the title over her rival Mao Asada at the 2011 World Figure Skating Championship which would be held at Japan this March. 

The article was pretty long and involves Sports predictions for each month, so I only cut the part about Yuna for the month of March:

March With 20 races, the Formula One season that starts in Bahrain is the longest in history, and Schumacher still doesn’t win any of them. Serena Williams returns to action after an eight-month injury break and fails to regain dominance or win a Grand Slam singles title in 2011. Nordic skiing comes home to Norway for its world championships. But though Marit Bjoergen wins plenty of cross-country races, Norway suffers on the rebuilt Holmenkollen ski jump as Thomas Morgenstern of Austria flies farthest. Nor is home support enough to help Mao Asada overcome Kim Yu-na in Tokyo at the world figure skating championships, but Daisuke Takahashi does give Japan an emotional gold in the men’s singles.

If you're interested for NY Times Sports predictions for the whole year, check out the source:  click me to go to NY Times