Yuna Kim announces return to competition--retirement after Sochi
- Thread starter Krislite
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It's simple who she is doing this for. She's doing it for the SK federation until they can develop top skaters. Right now she is all they have for the foreseeable future. I don't think she really wants to compete anymore but she's all about doing what's best for her country. One day she will have to tell them no for good.
It isn't just the hard work that lies ahead. It is the fact that for the last three years, she's been treated as an adult. She's met with international officials and has represented her country in a crucial negotiation. Now she has to go back to being treated like a child. Everything she does for the next two years will be to please a row of judges who might reject her for a fifteen-year-old girl. I hope she can keep her motivation strong and that her conditioning gets her back to a good level.
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- Sep 22, 2010
She's taking almost two seasons to prepare--more than what Plushenko did, I believe, or Sasha Cohen for that matter. But the odds are even more stacked against her than in Vancouver. Now older, with all that that entails on her physical condition, and skating against what appears will be a deeper field, and having an even greater burden of being the defending Olympic champion. I do worry for her. But at least she's finally got a definitive end in mind--retirement after Sochi.
Oh? I think if she had announced her retirement, I would have agreed with you. If she had announced a decision to continue competing after 2011 Worlds, where she was so sad, I might have agreed with you.
But it seems like she had a long, long break where she was free to decide what she wanted. Just about everyone was expecting her retirement. And after being free to choose, she chose to come back. I think her heart is in the right place--with her skating and doing her best.
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- Jan 7, 2011
From what I've read, Ms. Liukin only started training for this attempted comeback 8 months ago. Yuna Kim, on the other hand, is starting hers almost 2 years in advance. And while Liukin is fresh in people's minds as a former Olympic gold medalist whose attempt at a comeback ended in ignominy, there are plenty of other athletes who did better. Alicia Sacramone may not have made the team, but at least she didn't fall on her face. And in figure skating, we have many more examples of athletes who unretire and do quite well. Shen and Zhao, of course, finally got gold in their comeback after years off. Plushenko came back briefly last season, and won everything he competed in. It may just be that the life cycle of a high level figure skater is more conducive to keeping the gears oiled. Even if a skater takes a break from competition, there are still ice shows and tours to do. They're going to at least keep themselves in performance shape, while never losing a feel for the ice or the crowd. I have every confidence that Yuna will make a strong comeback.
Is the competition tougher this time around? I'd say yes. This time, there is a whole generation of skaters who grew up on the harsh downgrade/underrotation/edge rules of the COP who know how to handle it and thrive under it. In the last Olympic cycle, Yuna had a great advantage in that among her elite peers, she was one of the few who consistently avoided such costly tech calls with her pristine jumps. Her air superiority is a bit less so in this go around, and that is if she returns to her Olympic form. But does Yuna really have to win the darn thing to satisfy herself, her fans and her country? I suspect no. She just has to do enough to make ladies skating at the Olympics more interesting for South Korea. If she wins another medal, that alone would be a massive achievement, and I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility.
Then there's the question of why she's doing it. She's openly said before that the pressure of performing well for her country and fans got to her. Her tears after 2011 Worlds were one of relief, she said. She said she was under immense pressure and lobbying to continue competing after Vancouver. Fortunately, she says that's not what's going on here. To quote the translation of Kim's statement: “I thought I would regret later if I give up my active career because of the sense of burden which presses me to be the best.” Ya know, that makes perfect sense to me! She knows she's still not too old to compete well in figure skating, and she doesn't want to wonder about not having done it when she is too old.
Is the competition tougher this time around? I'd say yes. This time, there is a whole generation of skaters who grew up on the harsh downgrade/underrotation/edge rules of the COP who know how to handle it and thrive under it. In the last Olympic cycle, Yuna had a great advantage in that among her elite peers, she was one of the few who consistently avoided such costly tech calls with her pristine jumps. Her air superiority is a bit less so in this go around, and that is if she returns to her Olympic form. But does Yuna really have to win the darn thing to satisfy herself, her fans and her country? I suspect no. She just has to do enough to make ladies skating at the Olympics more interesting for South Korea. If she wins another medal, that alone would be a massive achievement, and I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility.
Then there's the question of why she's doing it. She's openly said before that the pressure of performing well for her country and fans got to her. Her tears after 2011 Worlds were one of relief, she said. She said she was under immense pressure and lobbying to continue competing after Vancouver. Fortunately, she says that's not what's going on here. To quote the translation of Kim's statement: “I thought I would regret later if I give up my active career because of the sense of burden which presses me to be the best.” Ya know, that makes perfect sense to me! She knows she's still not too old to compete well in figure skating, and she doesn't want to wonder about not having done it when she is too old.
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- Nov 10, 2011
Yeah...I'd like to be happy about this because I do enjoy her skating, but in interviews she's sounded ambivalent at best. I hope she genuinely wants this for herself and it isn't a response to outside pressures.
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- Oct 27, 2006
I can't help but think this comeback is only so she can get on the IOC. But I do wish her luck and maybe she will bring some interest back into skating!
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- Jan 7, 2011
That makes no sense. The majority of IOC members aren't even Olympic participants! Of those who were Olympic participants, there are plenty who only competed in one game, many who didn't win gold, and some who didn't even win any medals at all. If Olympic achievement is somehow necessary for being an IOC member, Ms. Kim already has all the credentials she needs.
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- Jun 21, 2003
I think that is an excellent point. I remember when Nancy Kerrigan retired they tried to get her to do some pro competitions, but she said she was through with being judged like a child.
This is the same reason why it is so hard to go back to college after you get past college age. Once you grow up you are just not willing to be treated the way students are.
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- Dec 16, 2006
Unless you're this lady:
http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=3167970
Back to the topic-- will Kim return to CA, or go elsewhere for coaching?
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- Sep 22, 2010
She said she just made up her mind last week so the details have yet to be worked out, i.e., coaches, training base, programs, etc. She did say she'd work with David Wilson but I think it wouldn't hurt to expand her horizons. David should suggest a different choreographer for either her short or long program, at least.
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- Feb 24, 2012
I know YUNA fans will be thrilled. I love her skating but I agree with some; she and her heart has moved on. I don't want to see a shadow of Yuna trying for the olympics. She has a world title and OGM what else does she need. I guess she might feel she could breeze to gold - inconsistent and very junior Russian baby ballerinas, content limited Kostner, No American lady has put together two solid years together in a while, Asada in trouble, Suzuki nice but looks more like a threat to medal but not gold, Ando isn't looking competitive sharp and still lacks artistry, the Finns are going downhill so she has a reasonable shot.
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- Nov 10, 2009
I think it's premature to judge whether or not Yuna's into this or not.
According to the KSU rules, she must compete in late October to earn a spot on the National Team Squad. It's a domestic competition, so I doubt it'll be broadcast live outside of Korea (I suspect SBS or somebody will pick it up and show it live to show Yuna), but I'm sure YouTube videos will be available for anybody interested in how she's doing. And we'll be able to see what kind of program she has, whether or not she got all her jumps back, etc.
Per some Korean coach who's at Taereung (the place where Yuna currently trains), Yuna still has her combination jumps.
Also Yuna's been an incredibly fierce competitor, and I don't think her competitive nature is going to vanish just because. Anyway, I'm excited because she's going to hopefully bring all her jumps and difficult contents, and everyone else must step up.
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- Jan 7, 2011
Am I the only one who takes Yuna at her word? She says she doesn't want to regret not competing when she could've just because she'll face intense pressure and expectations. Well, by all accounts, Yuna is healthy. She's still young. If she sits out the next Olympics, she'll inevitably wonder if she could've contended for it. She's decided that there will be no wondering.
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- Dec 29, 2011
Serious Business said:
I have to agree here. Until not long ago, I really thought she would retire, but the things she said make sense to me. There's probably a part within her that wants to do this for her country, for the younger skaters or whomever - but that doesn't have to be her only motivation. She said she wanted to start again without her past results in mind, and I like that. I was never a fan of hers, but I'm still glad for her, the sport itself and all of us fans that she's returning. Now I'm just wishing her all the best and that she will achieve whatever goals she set for herself this time.
Oh, and btw... I'm a little suprised some people seem to doubt if her comeback can be successful. I've just seen show vidoes of her, but I don't have any doubt about that in my mind. She's still in good shape and a very hard worker, winning a medal at next years worlds should definitly be within her reach
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- Aug 27, 2003
Wow, I am very surprised by this. I did not see this coming. In her interviews this past year, Yuna's said so clearly that she dislikes the pressure and expectations of competition. So why come back, especially since she's already won the biggest prizes possible?
That said, I certainly am excited to see her back and will look forward to her new programs! As to results, I can't even begin to predict how she will do, but I think we can assume she'll do well. Let's not forget, Yuna has medaled at Worlds every year she's competed. The ladies' field is so very unsettled at this point; just so many questions. Will Tukt and Lipnitskaya reach their potential or struggle as they get older? Will Wagner and Gold be able to maintain consistency next season? Will Suzuki and Kostner continue to improve, or have they peaked? Is Miki's comeback for real? And as for Mao . . . where to begin?
Anything could happen next season, and I think Yuna is as likely to come out on top as anyone.
That said, I certainly am excited to see her back and will look forward to her new programs! As to results, I can't even begin to predict how she will do, but I think we can assume she'll do well. Let's not forget, Yuna has medaled at Worlds every year she's competed. The ladies' field is so very unsettled at this point; just so many questions. Will Tukt and Lipnitskaya reach their potential or struggle as they get older? Will Wagner and Gold be able to maintain consistency next season? Will Suzuki and Kostner continue to improve, or have they peaked? Is Miki's comeback for real? And as for Mao . . . where to begin?
Anything could happen next season, and I think Yuna is as likely to come out on top as anyone.
That's my feeling, too. Let her decide on her own adventure. She's certainly earned the privilege. And as many of us have pointed out, this isn't yet a banner moment for ladies' singles skaters, so it's not as if she has to catch up to advances that the sport has made since Vancouver. When she did less well in 2011, it was because of her errors, not that she was skating at her top capacity and others had greater capacity. If she can recapture her skills, she still has a chance to medal, and possibly to win. Good for her!
By the way, you guys made me look so good. I went to a nearby store managed by a Korean friend and mentioned how great it was that YuNa was coming back. He said in surprise, "How did you know? We just heard yesterday." He showed me that morning's Korean newspaper (an American-published paper in Korean) with her photo. I merely gave a smug smile and said, "Oh, my skating site knew all about it." GS rocks!
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- Mar 11, 2011
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