Vancouver: Kim Yuna produced a riveting women’s free skate on Thursday to obliterate the opposition and become the first South Korean to win an Olympic figure skating gold medal.
The 19-year-old, already hailed as Queen Yuna by her legion of admirers, had hollering fans rushing down the aisles to salute her after she was crowned Vancouver Games champion with a record combined total of 228.56. She won by a huge margin of 23.06 points.
Japanese rival Mao Asada soared high into the air to become the only woman to land two triple Axels at the Pacific Coliseum on Thursday but could not match the technical wizardry, artistry or poise of Yuna and settled for silver with 205.5.
Canada’s Joannie Rochette delivered a display full of grace, beauty and guts to win the bronze medal just four days after her mother’s sudden death.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, February 26, 2010, 11:12