Figure skating: Kim magic works for coach Orser

[곰주~~]

장~한 연아~~그녀의 근성~~정말 대단해요~~ㅎㅎ

Vancouver (AFP) - Twenty-two years after suffering the biggest upset of his figure skating career, Canada's Brian Orser has finally got his Olympic gold thanks to South Korean superstar Kim Yu-Na.

The 48-year-old Orser famously lost the "Battle of the Brians" to American Brian Boitano at his home Olympics in Calgary in 1988, after settling for silver four years before in Sarajevo.

But that was all behind him on Thursday night as his protege Kim stood on the top of the podium with the gold around her neck after one of the most outstanding free skate performances of all time.

Kim admitted: "I was extremely lucky to have him as my coach."

Orser, a two-time Olympic silver medallist, paid tribute to the girl with the Midas touch who has changed his life since arriving in Toronto as an unhappy, gawky 15-year-old with braces on her teeth.

"The Olympic Games is one of the arenas that brings out the best," he said. "That's when you get those magical moments."

Kim has worked with Orser and Canadian choreographer David Wilson since 2006 at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling club.

In Toronto she has been able to focus on her skating away from the spotlight in Korea where she needs two full-time bodyguards and is dubbed 'Queen Yu-Na.'

"When we first started work, I didn't think she was a happy skater," explained Orser. "Our mandate was to make her a happy skater."

And over the past four years she has developed her skills and blossomed into a world beater who claimed her first world title last year.

He puts her success down to her phenomenal work ethic.

"When we arrived in Vancouver I knew we would be sitting here today and that she would have a gold medal," he said. "Yu-Na is a perfectionist. She always strives to be better and improve.

"It was such a wonderful process, getting to know her. It's been fascinating watch her grow from a young girl to a young woman."

The gold makes up, he says for his own disappointments.

"It's more gratifying. I feel part of her winning performance. But it's her Games, she's the champion."

Orser has himself found celebrity in South Korea with his autobiography, written in Korean, detailing his career and experiences coaching Kim, proving a hit with her many fans.

And he joined Kim in backing PyeongChang's bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Winter Games.

"I too, as Yu-Na, hope that Korea has this opportunity to show the world their hospitality," he said.

[영산마니아]

그저 존경스러울 따름입니다..^^* 오늘도 기사 고맙습니다..곰주님도 화이팅!!

[곰주~~]

저도 감사합니다~~!!! 영산마니아님도 화이링~~!! ㅎㅎㅎ

[▶친절한헬렌씨◀]

잘 읽었어요^^