Lee Hae-in (18, Sehwa Girls’ High School), who decorated a page in the history of figure skating in Korea, cited ‘a heart that never gives up’ as the secret to winning a medal at the International Skating Union (ISU) World Championships.
Lee Hae-in attended the official press conference after winning the silver medal in the women’s singles event of the 2023 ISU Figure Skating World Championships, which ended at Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on the 24th, and said, “It was very difficult because it did not work out in the beginning of this season, but I did not give up until the end and looked good until the end of the season. “I really wanted to come to the World Championships in Saitama, Japan. I’m so happy to come here and win a medal,” he said.
“I was sick at the beginning of the season and my condition was not good. I experienced how to compete at such times, and I learned a lot about how to overcome and get up when I didn’t do well in the tournament,” he said. I worked hard until the end. Thanks to that, I was able to do well at the Four Continents Championships and the World Championships.”
Lee Hae-in received a total of 147.32 points in the women’s single free skating that took place on the day, with a technical score of 75.53 and a artistic score of 71.79.
Lee Hae-in, who placed second in the short program with a score of 73.62, earned a final total score of 220.94, placing second behind Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto (224.61).
It has been 10 years since Kim Yu-na in 2013 that a Korean athlete has won a medal at the World Figure Skating Championships.
Previously, Yuna Kim was the only Korean athlete to win a medal at the World Figure Skating Championships. Yuna Kim has collected 6 medals (2 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) in her personal career at the World Championships.
Since Yu-Na Kim’s gold medal at the 2013 World Championships in London, Ontario, Canada, Yu-Young (Surigo)’s 5th place finish in women’s singles last year was the best World Championship result by a Korean player, and Lee Hae-in won her medal in 10 years. It was a life line.
It is a medal for those who have overcome ordeals and rise up.
Lee Hae-in finished in 6th place in the first round of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics representative selection event, and she was unable to make up for it in the second round as well, so she was unable to stand on the Olympic stage of her dreams.
For her athlete, not being able to compete at her best stage, the Olympics, was a huge blow.
However, Lee Hae-in was not alone in frustration. Lee Hae-in, who put her disappointment behind and devoted herself to training again, earned a silver medal at the ISU Figure Skating Four Continents Championships last year, recording her personal best score (213.52 points) at the time. In March of last year she placed 7th at the World Championships메이저사이트.
Even at the beginning of this season, she wasn’t easy. Lee Hae-in unfortunately missed out on medals by staying in 4th place in the 1st and 3rd competitions of the ISU Senior Grand Prix in the 2022-2023 season.
Lee Hae-in did not hesitate. In order to find the most suitable configuration, the jump configuration was changed and supplemented.
Lee Hae-in, who overcame the pain, showed off her spirit by standing at the top at the Four Continents Championships last February. It was the first time in 14 years since Kim Yu-na in 2009 that a Korean female single player won the Four Continents Championships.
The rising trend continued to the World Championships, and Lee Hae-in created a new history again.
Lee Hae-in said, “Honestly, I didn’t expect to win a medal at the World Championships. After showing a good performance in the short program, I was so happy that I even forgot that I received a small medal. I’m happy that I did well in the free skating and won a medal.” He smiled broadly.
“It’s such an honor to win a medal 10 years after (Kim) Yuna,” she added.
In an interview with Golden Skate, Lee Hae-in expressed her gratitude to Yuna Kim.
Lee Hae-in said, “She has a special thanks to Yuna unnie. Her unnie gave her a lot of advice not only about her attitude in the game, but also about her outside of competition,” she said. He is my role model.”
Lee Hae-in, who finished the season with a series of splendid achievements in senior major competitions at the end of this season, said, “Now that the season is over, I want to go to fun places with my friends. I want to go see a lot of musicals.”
After a short break, she goes back to training.
Lee Hae-in said, “I am happy to have won a medal at the World Championships, but I will focus on preparing for the next season without thinking about anything special.” I want to challenge myself,” he said.