11-Year-Old Figure Skater You Young Breaks Gold Medalist Kim Yuna's Record
South Korean athlete You Young became the youngest national champ in the field of figure skating after winning the 70th Korean Figure Skating Championships Sunday. The Chosun Ilbo reported Monday that the crowd gave You a standing ovation after she carried out a faultless performance.
The young lady prevailed in the competition after collecting a combined score of 183.75 points, making her the youngest winner of the national championships at 11 years and eight months. You broke Kim Yuna's record, who bagged the same award in 2003 at the age of 12 years and seven months.
"I never thought I would win it. Of course, I thought the gold medal would go to an older skater," You said after the competition. "I'm just so happy that I had a clean skate!"
Kim claimed You is "even better than [she] was."
"I think her skills will improve further if she takes care and avoids injuries," she said, as noted by Yahoo! Sports Monday.
Kim, who began skating at the age of five, is a 2010 Olympic champion, 2013 World champion, 2009 Four Continents champion, 2006 World Junior champion and 2005 Junior Grand Prix Final champion.
She is also a three-time Grand Prix Final champion and a six-time South Korean national champion.
You was inspired by Kim after seeing the latter win at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
You's mother revealed that her daughter spends eight hours a day for her training.
"She is very young, but she has learned how to overcome difficulties on her own," You's mother said.
The young skater added that she is working hard to master the triple axel, adding that she finds inspiration by watching Kim's videos.
"I practiced the triple axel ahead of this season but it lacked perfection. I'm planning to give it another try after this season," You said.
