Kim Yu-na Finishes 1st Practice in Tokyo for GP Final

World figure skating champion Kim Yu-na yesterday finished her first official round of training for the Grand Prix figure skating final at Yoyogi Arena in Tokyo.

She had looked a bit tired Tuesday but appeared more nimble yesterday. After practicing her short program for 40 minutes, she said, “I’m in good shape and satisfied with my practice.”

The time difference between Paris, where the season’s first Grand Prix competition was held, and Toronto, Canada, where she trains, is eight hours. Her flight from Toronto to Paris took six hours. So Kim needed just a day of rest to get over jet lag.

Kim had no problem competing at Skate America last month because of no time difference and the short travel distance. The time difference between Tokyo and Toronto is 14 hours, however, and her flight to the Japanese capital took 15 hours.

At last year’s Grand Prix final in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Kim had trouble overcoming jet lag and had to settle for the silver medal due to fatigue.

To overcome jet lag, she held a simple training session and mostly rested after arriving in Tokyo. Kim said she wants to adjust to local time.

“I normally overcome jet lag quickly but sometimes have difficulty doing so. This time, I slept well both on the plane and my hotel,” she said.

The short program event will open Friday and that for free staking Saturday, giving Kim enough time to physically prepare.

After the competition, Kim will reportedly adjust her training schedule to get ready for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in February next year.

creating@donga.com