“This competition brought more pressure and tension than any other I’ve competed in. The short program was nerve-wracking to the point that I barely remember it.” Hyungyeom Kim on securing second Olympic sport for Korea
Hyungyeom Kim Secures Silver Medal and Olympic Spot at Beijing Qualifiers
original source: mfocus.kr dd. Septeber 22d 2025 by Park Jimin
South Korean figure skater Hyungyeom Kim secured an Olympic spot and a silver medal at the 2025 ISU Skate to Milano Olympic Qualifiers in Beijing, accomplishing his previously stated goal of making the podium. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on MFocus.
Following the competition, Kim shared his thoughts in an interview with the International Skating Union (ISU):
“I was very nervous during the short program and worried about the free skate as well, but despite a few mistakes, I gave it my all. I’m incredibly honored to have earned an Olympic spot.”
Upon his return to South Korea on September 22, Kim further reflected on the experience:
“This competition brought more pressure and tension than any other I’ve competed in. However, on the day of the free skate, I felt more relaxed and was able to finish with a good performance that allowed me to come home with a happy heart.”
Kim noted that having a clear goal made his preparation process more difficult but also more rewarding: “Because I had such a definite goal, the preparation was harder – but that’s what made it more fulfilling and worthwhile.”
On shedding tears after his free skate, Kim explained: “My stamina dropped significantly toward the end of the program. By the second spin, I was already exhausted, and the newly adjusted structure of the program added extra pressure. But I felt proud for enduring until the end, and when the scores were announced, the tension lifted, and my emotions overflowed.”
When asked about the meaning of earning an Olympic ticket, Kim responded: “When I missed the free skate cutoff at Worlds (failing to qualify after placing below 24th in the short program), I didn’t strongly feel its significance. However, competing in a selection process and earning the ticket outright, as we did here, makes it much more rewarding and meaningful.”
He added: “Although I still need to compete in domestic ranking tournaments and the national championships, I’m already satisfied just knowing that I’ve secured one ticket for Korea.”
Kim revealed that his relative calm during the free skate stemmed from his short program mistakes, which motivated him to adjust. “My errors in the short program worked as a counterbalance, making me more comfortable during the free skate. From the warm-up onward, I felt relaxed, and knowing that the free skate is my strength gave me confidence,” he said.
Kim evaluated his performances: “The short program was nerve-wracking to the point that I barely remember it, but I was happy to minimize mistakes. As for the free skate, I’m pleased that I was able to execute it according to my goals.”
On maintaining jump stability, Kim credited practice and mental composure: “I try to maximize my success rate during training, and mental control is also key. This competition made me realize that while my baseline level is high, I lack in reaching peak performance. Moving forward, I want to train to raise that ceiling.”
South Korea’s final figure skating team for the Milan-Cortina Olympics will be determined after the 2025 National Ranking Tournament, scheduled from November 27-30, and the 2026 National Championships, set to take place from January 3-6.
According to Kim, he’s ready to tackle the next steps in his journey to the Olympics: “There are good days and bad days, and that’s all part of the process. For now, I’m focused on each step, and I hope everyone will continue looking forward to what’s ahead.”
Related topics: Hyungyeom Kim
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