Kim Yu-Na beaten by Mao Asada at World Championships

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Posted: Saturday 27th March 2010 | 16:55

OLYMPIC champion Kim Yu-Na couldn't manage her own version of the Great Escape as Japanese rival Mao Asada succeeded her title at the World Figure Skating Championships.

FINALLY BEATEN: Korea's Kim Yu-Na suffers first defeat of the season as she is forced to settle for silver at the World Championships (Getty Images)

South Korean teenager Kim had been unbeaten all season, peaking in a stunning crescendo at her debut Winter Olympics in Vancouver last month where she set world records in both skates.

But the 19-year old's short program had been dismal on Friday, riddled with errors and under-rotations as she appeared to struggle with her left skate and slumped to seventh.

Such is Kim's superiority in women's figure skating that a 10.1 deficit behind USA's surprise leader, 16-year old Mirai Nagasu, didn't rule her out of the running for the title.

If anything, Kim was still favourite to add to her Grand Prix Final and Olympic titles and complete a perfect season, having scored 18.34 more than anyone for her free skate in Vancouver.

But once again, the South Korean went through the motions in Turin, falling on a triple salchow and ducking out of a spiral sequence as she scored 130.49 for an overall tally of 190.79.

Asada has had to play second fiddle to her rival all season, finishing second best at the Trophee Eric Bompard Grand Prix as well as in Vancouver last month.

But given the chance to reclaim her title from two years ago, Asada was clinical, landing each jump, combination and spin with an assured style.

The 19-year old knew gold was within her grasp and although she slipped short of her season's best from Vancouver, a score of 129.5 was more than enough to keep her ahead of Kim as she finished on 197.58

Nagasu was the only one who could deny Asada in the final group, needing a score of 127.19 - less than a point more than her season's best - to win.

But the precocious American couldn't handle the pressure on her young shoulders and, failing to match her level from her short program in her free skate, scored 105.8 to slip down to seventh overall.

European silver medallist Laura Lepisto took advantage of Nagasu capitulation to slip into third overall and capture her first world medal.

Meanwhile, Great Britain's Jenna McCorkell finished her topsy-turvy season on a high as she secured a career best finish of 14th at the World Figure Skating Championships in Turin.

The Northern Irish skater was lying 15th after her short program but a personal best free skate of 98.78 was the 12th best of the day and handed the 23-year old reason for optimism after failing to qualify for the second skate in Vancouver.

Comments

If she were REAL Gold Medalist, Olympic Champion ...

Submitted by Gracia (not verified) on Thu, 05/13/2010 - 06:38.

She must have known she would be able to perform as well as Olympic even before the game. Actually her performance was embarassing and disaster. If I were her, I would not participate if I know that I can not perform to deserve Olympic Champion, as an courtesy and respect to Figure Skating.

Every single moment shes out there, shes adding value.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/02/2010 - 01:49.

Kim is a graceful, wonderful player. It was a program with which everyone was able to be pleased.
However, ability cannot be said enough. The jump and the step are like the junior level. Hands and feet moves it fluttering. With a smile toward the camera, and the glance is sent.
　　
There are few Japanese who complain about the result of the Olympics (order). Kim was best.
The problem is a point. It is adding point that nobody can explain.
Perhaps, it relates to the Olympics bidding planned in South Korea in 2018. A long-term sponsor is necessary for the organization.
Therefore, Kim did not work hard in the rally of Torino. It is because Olympic gold medal is important.
Kim is not responsible. However, South Korea contradicted the sporting spirit too much. The purchase act has been done in the Olympics and the World Cup in the past. （Boxing and wrestling and Others）
Therefore, the Japanese becomes impossible to endure it and is angry. Injustice is appealed aiming at the world.
Asada has the fault. However, she is fighting always fairly.
Other players have not received a right evaluation either.
Please do not think that the Japanese is angry without the reason.
I'm sorry by poor English.

Kim's score was too high without any doubt !

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/01/2010 - 01:33.

I don't think judges gave fair scores to Asada and Nagasu.It is obvious that Kim's score was too high despite of her mistakes. Nagasu's performance wasn't as good as Kim's ,however,
I don't understand the difference of 25points !
between Kim and Nagasu. Many people felt unfair
judging at Olympic,too.

I think kim's score was too high

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 19:15.

This time, kim's score was too high.
Sp was too, I wasn't able to under stand how so difference as the other skaters.
I know she is great but she got over GEO score at this time.

Kim landed all of her jumps

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 04:41.

Kim landed all of her jumps perfectly, earning GOE's, except for the triple salchow and singling the double axel. Obviously, compared to all the other jumps, the two she made the mistakes on had much less base value. Besides, other than the technical factors, her component factors collect huge amount of points due to its complexity, so I wouldn't say she was over scored.
Her short program was a bit disappointing-especially because she's never had that kind of a disastrous skate before-but I still admire her for coming back on the free skate and claiming silver, overall. I mean, a lot of Olympic gold medalists don't even participate in the Worlds-it's ridiculous that they even hold the competition right after the Olympics, in my opinion-but I read that Kim was obligated to participate for her country (something with earning one more participation ticket for the next competition). She also admitted herself that she didn't even practice a whole week for the Worlds because she achieved her life long goal and dream of winning the gold in Vancouver. She lost her motivation and sense of direction. But she still skated beautifully in the fs, despite the mistakes, so I'm satisfied.
I was sad for Mirai though...she had a fantastic short program! I think she's definitely someone to look out in the next four years. After she gains more experience, I think she would be able to compete with the world top ladies!