Posted on 02/25/2010 11:04:43 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Posted: Feb 26, 12:01a ET | Updated: Feb 26, 1:44a ET
Kim wins ladies' figure skating gold medal
VANCOUVER (AP) All that pressure, all those expectations. Kim Yu-na could feel the weight on her dainty shoulders.
The "Queen" took it all on and delivered royally.
A women's figure skating performance that likely will be remembered as one of the best of all time.
The South Korean soared to the Olympic gold medal Thursday night, scoring a world-record 228.56 points and shattering her previous mark by more than 18 points. It is South Korea's first medal at the Winter Olympics in a sport other than speedskating, and it's sure to set off wild celebrations from Seoul to Pyongchang.
Even Kim seemed to be dazzled by the show she put on, gasping when she saw the monstrous score. Coach Brian Orser gave a Rocky-like victory pump, shaking his clasped fists over each shoulder.
"I can't believe this day has finally come for me," Kim said.
The 19-year-old grinned as she hopped up to the top spot on the podium, tugging at the bottom of her dress. When the gold medal was slipped over her head, she kissed both sides and held it up. Her lip quivered when the South Korean anthem began, and then came the tears.
"Today was the first time I cried like that, right after skating," Kim said. "I don't know exactly why I cried, but I was very, very happy."
She made a beeline for someone holding the South Korean flag as she set off on her victory lap, and carried it triumphantly as fans serenaded her with cheers and applause.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcolympics.com ...
Both American skaters were cheated. Maybe not good enough for gold but when an American skates an almost flawless routine and gets a 118 and the Korean gets a 150; something is not right.
Very pretty young lady. Skaters have nicely shaped legs.
Next time please don’t give the results in the title, we are still watching it on the Left Coast. Thanks.
Mixed emotions...
On one hand, I am sorry that Mao didn’t win. She’s a sweetie. On the other hand, I am happy I don’t have to worry about Tokyo getting nuked tonight.
Both performances were breathtaking. She was above the rest by far.
I didn’t get to see her skate this time but saw videos since she was a little runt first on the ice..and she’s been competing her whole life...Good for her! She has a great coach too..with a history...bet he’s proud after years with her.
LOL, no.
I mean Kim Jong Il was probably rooting for Kim Yu-na (even if she’s from the south).
He might have been upset if Mao won.
Murai deserved a better score....perhaps the bronze. But who would take it from its eventual winner??
“The 19-year-old”
Really? 19? I would have guessed 15. At most.
That said, her performance was flawless. Amazing ability and execution. She definitely deserved the score and the gold!
Sports is a competition between two (teams or individuals). It should not be decided before hand. This “Ladie’s Figure Skating” was about as wildly exciting as the WWF! Gee, I wonder how people would react if a sport like say Hockey was “judged”? “Prettiest team get’s style points” “Half of the score depends on judging”. Now that would be a REAL sport! Laughable.
Plain AND simple. “Judged” sports do NOT belong in the Olympic games (or any other serious compatition).
But if they cut judged sports out of the olympics, China could probably NEVER (AND I MEAN NEVER) win another gold medal!
I think all “judged” sports belong in the trash. They are not a serious sport since most of the judges have probably already voted before they ever got to town.
But hey. Just MHO.
The Russians didn’t get close at all to metal. It appears that all of the Russian coaches are now coaching in the United States, and most of the top skaters train in the US.
Kim's performance was *technically* and *athletically* one of the best in Olympic skating history. (And, she still maintained her natural sense of grace and artistic expression.) Her routine was much higher in difficulty level and tougher in required technical execution than the routines the Americans skated--than routines that are normally skated in general. Kim is a skater of unique skill and abilities. She's apparently "set three world records over the course of two days."
This year the American team just didn't have didn't have skaters at the level of superstar legends such as Michelle Kwan, for example.
Love figure skating. God created humans to do some incredible things. Yuna, and all the skating greats are just such a pleasure to watch.
The Korean’s base value was 6.8 points higher but only because of the penalties they slapped on Rachael. Without the penalties Rachael had the more difficult routine and would have had a higher base value than the Korean.
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