Brilliance from the Far East

A very hearty congratulations are in order for the beautiful young skater from South Korea, Kim Yu-Na, who put on a spectacular performance last evening to win her country's first gold medal ever in the figure-skating event.  Her long-time rival from Japan, Mao Asada, won the silver medal.  Host country Canada's Joannie Rochette, winner of the bronze, shared the podium with the two skaters from Asia.

For Canadian figure skating, it was a good night all round because former Canadian champion skater, Brian Orser, coaches Ms Kim, and could bask, albeit vicariously, in her victory.

Asian figure skaters have done very well in international competition in recent years.  For many years, in the United States, Asian-American figure skaters have been at the forefront of the US team.  This year, in fact, the US's Mirai Nagusu placed fourth in the Olympic competition.  She currently holds dual US-Japanese citizenship.  She edged out yet another Japanese skater, Miki Ando, who placed fifth last evening.

Perhaps one of the most striking facts resulting from last night's competition is that no Russian skaters were among the first five finishers, the highest finishers placing ninth and tenth respectively.  This situation has prompted ire from no less than Irina Rodnina, herself a triple Olympics medalist in pairs skating, who minced no words when stating her opinion of who is responsible for the sad situation in which Russian skaters, so long dominant in the sport, find themselves.  She blames the head of the Russian figure skating federation, Valentin Piseyev, stating, "The national federation's top officials shouldn't sit pompously at the stands during the competitions but should contact their colleagues, referees, to form relations with them and to be a part of the international federation's life.  But serious people in the figure skating world do not want to deal with him. They have no respect for him."  She also had harsh words for the head of the Russian Olympic Committee.  

With all due respect to Ms Rodnina, I believe that it is not so much that the Russian skaters are not good or that there is mismanagement by officials -- even though mismanagement or disorganization may account for some of the recent dismal showings -- as that the athletic level of the competition has increased exponentially in recent years.   For example, during her long program last evening, Ms Kim landed six triple jumps, three of them in combinations, and skated with such artistry, almost regal presence and flirtatious physical expression that she left the judges spellbound and the rest of the field distantly in her wake.  Even Mao Asada landed two clean triple Axels, the second one in combination with a double toe loop, the first in women's Olympic competition.   This would have been unthinkable in Rodnina's heyday. 

I must confess to having a personal soft spot for South Korea, however, and so am especially happy to see Kim Yu-Na do so well.  Grandson Prince Tyger is Korean-American.  He has much in his heritage, from all sides, to be proud of.   May Kim Yu-Na fully enjoy her moment of victory and may her life continue to bring joy to her, her family and her nation!