Yelim Kim:”If we continue to work diligently and focus on our tasks, I think there could be unexpectedly positive results for team Korea at the next Olympics.”
Yelim Kim about past season and World Team Trophy.
source: mfocus.kr dd. 17th April 2023 by Lee Min-jung
On April 13th, the 2023 ISU Figure Skating World Team Trophy held at Tokyo Dome in Japan was a true celebration. The Team Trophy is a biennial competition featuring the top 6 national teams based on their performances in ISU-sanctioned events throughout the season. Participating countries send a total of 8 skaters, including 4 men’s and women’s singles skaters, ice dancers, and pairs. Points are earned based on the rankings in the short (rhythm) and free programs, and the final standings are determined by the cumulative scores on the last day.
South Korea made their first appearance in the Team Trophy and impressively secured the second-place spot, surpassing the host country, Japan, and following the United States. Throughout the competition, they captivated the attention of fans with their lively cheering. Furthermore, Kim Yelim (19), representing the Korean national team, overcame her performance slump in the latter half of the season and achieved a personal best by finishing third in the free program, contributing to the team’s medal success.
On April 17th, after completing all the schedules, including the gala, Kim YeLim arrived at Gimpo International Airport. The first question thrown at her was about her impressions of the perfect performance in the final free program at the Team Trophy, despite a disappointing second half of the season compared to her strong start. Kim Yelim responded, “As my results were good in the early part of the season, I had higher personal expectations for the latter half. Especially after the World Championships, I went through some shocks and felt very upset afterward.” She continued, “So, even when preparing for the Team Trophy again, my mind didn’t easily settle, and I had a tough time. But in this free skating program, I proved to myself that I could do it, and I was deeply moved and teary-eyed in that aspect.”
As Kim Yelim wasn’t someone who usually showed tears, reporters also inquired about her tears and her thoughts at the time. In response, she said, “Honestly, my confidence was a bit shaken, so during the free program, I didn’t have big ambitions. I just wanted to do my best. Fortunately, and thankfully, my hard work throughout this season paid off in the final competition. I’m grateful to myself for being able to finish on a good note, and I’m so happy to end it in that manner for the fans as well.”
Questions about Team Korea’s cheering were also posed to Kim Yelim. She replied, “I had such great memories and fun times cheering.”
As a result, the reporters began to inundate her with questions about the cheering. When asked how she came up with ideas, Kim Yelim responded, “I think I contributed quite a bit to the ceremony at Kiss & Cry Zone. As for other aspects, our captain led us a lot.”
Regarding the props used in the cheering event, Kim Yelim stated, “Each individual prepared their own items, and the rest were found and purchased by the athletes themselves.” In response to a journalist’s question about whether the sword symbolizing the general, which was part of her character, caused any trouble at the airport, she replied, “It was just made of Styrofoam, so it wasn’t a problem.” Her response cleared up the curiosity surrounding the matter.
Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine Kim Yelim with any nickname other than “Figure skating General.” However, during the 2022 Beijing Olympics when the nickname first emerged, she didn’t fully embrace it. When asked about her feelings towards the nickname now, she responded, “I’ve come to accept it because it seems irreversible. Initially, when I heard ‘Figure skating General’ after the Beijing Olympics, it was an unfamiliar term for figure skating, and it felt a bit strange to have such an epithet. But now, fans and everyone else seem to enjoy it and find it amusing, so I’ve grown to like the nickname.”
Lastly, a question was raised about the upcoming team event at the next Olympics, although it may seem distant. Kim Yelim replied, “It was our first participation in a team event, and we achieved good results. If we continue to work diligently and quietly focus on our tasks, I think there could be unexpectedly positive outcomes at the Olympics as well. That’s something the athletes have discussed among ourselves.” Her response heightened fans’ expectations.
Kim Yelim’s 2022-23 season, which had its ups and downs, has finally come to an end. Initially, the nickname “Figure skating General” seemed contradictory to her graceful performances. However, the more one observes Kim Yelim, the more fitting the nickname becomes because she is a resilient and strong athlete. The anticipation for the triumphs she will bring in the upcoming season is heightened because Kim Yelim is that kind of skater.
Related topics: World Team Trophy, Yelim Kim
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