Kim Yu-Na South Korean figure skater Date of Birth: 05.09.1990 Country: South Korea

1. Biography of Yuna Kim
2. Early Successes
3. Rise to Prominence
4. International Achievements
5. Legacy and Retirement

Biography of Yuna Kim

Yuna Kim is a South Korean figure skater and Olympic champion. She was born on September 5, 1990, in Puchon, South Korea. When she turned six, her family moved to the city of Kungpo where Yuna Kim began to pursue figure skating. Her coach immediately told her parents that she would become a champion. At the age of 10, Yuna Kim executed her first triple jump, at 12 she included five types of triple jumps in her programs, and at 14 she performed her first triple jump combination.

Early Successes

In 2002, at the age of 12, Yuna Kim won her first international gold at the annual Slovenian competition, Triglav Trophy. The following year, she became the youngest athlete in the history of the South Korean National Championships to win the title. Over the years, Yuna Kim went on to win the championship a total of six times.

Rise to Prominence

In the 2004-2005 season, Yuna Kim won gold and silver at two Junior Grand Prix events and silver at the Grand Prix Final. Mao Asada, her main competitor, claimed the championship title. Yuna Kim also finished second at the Junior World Championships in 2005. However, the next season proved to be more successful for her, as she won three gold medals at the Junior Grand Prix (two stages and the final) and another gold at the Junior World Championships in 2006. She further solidified her reputation by winning gold at the Trophée Eric Bompard in Paris and the Grand Prix Final in St. Petersburg in 2006.

International Achievements

In March 2007, Yuna Kim relocated to Toronto to train with Brian Orser. In 2009, she enrolled in Korea University in Seoul but continued her training in Canada. From 2006 to 2010, she experienced great success, winning her third Grand Prix Final title. In 2009, Yuna Kim became the world champion and a gold medalist at the Four Continents Championships. The highlight of her career came in 2010 when she won the Olympic gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Despite winning the short program at the Sochi Olympics, she ultimately earned a silver medal, finishing behind Adelina Sotnikova in the free skate.

Legacy and Retirement

Today, Yuna Kim is considered one of the most famous and popular athletes in South Korea. In 2014, she officially announced her retirement from amateur competition but continues to participate in various ice shows and dedicates a significant amount of time to charitable endeavors.