Kim Yu-na Wins Korea’s 1st Figure Skating World Title

When Korea’s national anthem began playing, figure skating star Kim Yu-na burst into tears, which glittered like jewels.

“Queen Yu-na” won the women`s title at the World Figure Skating Championships held at Staples Center in Los Angeles yesterday, the first by a Korean skater.

After taking a huge lead in the short program Saturday, Kim earned 131.59 points in the free skate yesterday, winning the title with 207.71 points. She is the first to top 200 points in the women`s event.

Kim had shattered her own world mark with a score of 76.12 points in the short program.

Showing spectacular jumps and spins as well as a superb facial performance, she overwhelmed her competitors and enthralled the audience. “I was confident of winning. I wasn`t nervous,” she said.

Except for a botched triple salchow that cost her 0.4 points, she was perfect in her program.

Both the audience and judges seemed fascinated by her dazzling performance. When her scores were announced, the audience gave Kim a standing ovation.

Kim finally won the championship after finishing third in the previous two years.

Joannie Rochette of Canada won second with 191.29 points and Miki Ando of Japan third with 190.38. Mao Asada of Japan, Kim’s longtime rival, finished fourth with 188.09.

Another Korean female skater, Kim Na-young, finished 17th, up two notches from the previous championship.

creating@donga.com