Kim wins gold, Ando takes bronze, Asada 4th at world figure skating championships

Ah, these meaningless 'controversies' sure are cute. I guess there's nothing else to complain about!

Congrats to Kim, and great to see Miki back in the medals.

I think the whole Japanese-Korean controversy may have started because the Korean word "ilbu" for "some" or "part" is similar to the Korean word "ilbon" for "Japan". But, neither SBS (the Korean TV station responsible for first airing the story) nor Kim specifically named any specific nationality. During the warm-ups or practices at international competitions there are skaters from several countries who naturally get in each other's way, so it's not a problem only between the Korean and Japanese skaters.

To say it was "orchestrated" by the Japanese is a rephrase, read exactly word for word.

"However, especially with Yu-na, other skaters always get in the way of her jump course. And the other skaters are mostly Japanese skaters."

"This has been a set pattern in every competition, so it is hard to say it is just a coincidence."

So this has been a recurring pattern here, I think they have right to complain. So I don't think Kim is a brat for bring this up. If it wasn't on purpose, then it wasn't an accident, so I think they can bring this up to prevent further problems. I don't see any harm with them bringing the issue.

Stroller

Reporters never make official complaints. But in this case the Korean media was all over it ( not that difficult to get then upset, right ). Not only skaters get in Yu-Na's way, Yu-Na also gets in the way of other skaters. You try to picture this as only Yu-Na gets hindered....no...she herself also hinders others as well. You are right, it's a set pattern, but to say it was "orchestrated" by the Japanese goes too far. Brian Orser, you say? Well, we all know him, right?

roomtemperature,

it is not the Korean media, her coach was the one to notice and make an unofficial complaint.

Reporter Sung-hun Lee It is a commonly accepted practice in figure skating not to get in the way of a skater who is attempting a jump. However, especially with Yu-na, other skaters always get in the way of her jump course. And the other skaters are mostly Japanese skaters. This has been a set pattern in every competition, so it is hard to say it is just a coincidence. This "orchestrated" collision was at its worse during 4CC. Brian Orser said, one particular Japanese skater always skates in and out of the Yu-na's Jumping passes and complained about it (although the reporter didn't say he made an official complaint).

For a long time I really thought the Korean girl was a very nice person. We all know she's very talented and deserved the gold medal 100%, but I always thought she also had a friendly personality. Till this weekend!! Anyone saw how she and, I believe Ando Miki bumped ( accidentally ) into each other during the 6min free training? I mean, it's an accident. How many skaters at a time are practicing on the ice, focussing on their program? Still, Kim told the Korean media that the Japanese skaters hindered her on purpose. And of course after this that media went spitting on Japan as usual. Do Koreans ever grow up???? As for Kim, you became a sneaky little brat.

"I was thinking about being a champion again, but instead of thinking about that, I needed to have concentrated on completing my elements," said Asada, who had clearly been crying. - The Associated Press, 03/28/09

I'm Canadian, and I was shocked to see a Canadian on the podium... totally and utterly shocked. Our women's figure skater always sucked. The men's side I can understand. But a Canadian woman on the podium.. shocking..

Yeah for Miki Ando who got the bronze, the first medal since two years ago when she won the World title. The Japanese media loves a darling like Asada, setting up a major showdown with her South Korean rival, and pushing aside Ando. With Ando off the radar of the Japanese media, it was good that she could skate a great program without the fanfare of the media, and off a few points from garnering the silver medal. Looking forward to next year in Vancouver.

That was some performance by Kim (I don't understand why her name is spelt Yuna - should be more like Yeona or Yona), even though she missed one of her jumps. She is one of the more elegant skaters. Her jumps today were unbelievable. Good to see Ando doing well. She's been pushed out of the limelight slightly by Asada.

NoSoEaWe: 'Meaning?'

There was nothing bad in the meaning, I can assure you of that. For some reason I mistook the venue of this championship to be in Vancouver, Canada, where it was in LA and the Vancouver competition was either the Four Continents or the Grand Prix (I think the former). Since Orser is her coach and Canadian, and I thought it was in Canada (and in Vancouver there's also a pretty big Korean community), it would have been great for both. Hence, my comment. I missed the 'Los Angeles' at the beginning of the article. My bad.

Congrats to three medallists, especially Yu-na Kim with the world record. This is the first worlds title ever for Korea.

Asada however had never missed the podium in the international competitions and it's the first time she didn't make to the podium. Apparently she wasn't fit for defending the title.

It's also great for both Kim and coach that this even was where it was.

Meaning?

I heard that Mao's ankle was tender entering the competition, so she wasn't in her top shape. But, Kim competed injured in the world competitions, in the past, too, and suffered losses to Mao. Kim obviously had the best night of her career yet, while it just wasn't Mao's night. She's naturally Korea's new heroine for lifting the spirit of Koreans after their disappointment from Korea's WBC loss. Congratulations, Yu-na Kim!

Glad these two work so well of each other (Asada and Kim), and both deserve credit for their hard work and accomplishments, particularly Kim in this case.

It's a funny thing about Asada.... she either wins by a mile or loses by just as much; there is never a close second, it seems. Again, she wins, or falls down on the ice and finishes fourth, or sixth, or whatever. It almost seems like she should try a little less hard when behind and just give a better performance overall, instead of trying to pull off impossible programs and failing. Then again... wouldn't be quite so competitive, would it.

Congrats to both.

It's also great for both Kim and coach that this even was where it was.