The 2013 world figure skating championship has just kicked off this week. It is perhaps one of the most anticipated figure skating events lately. Yuna Kim, the arguably best lady skater ever, finally made the first appearance in a major international competition for the world title.
Kim skated to “The Kiss of the Vampire” for short program. Without visible flaws, Kim skated relatively perfect, except she got an edge call on the triple flip. Kim earned 69.97. It was only 0.03 short of 70, followed by Carolina Kostner 66.86 and Kanako Murakami 66.64.
The score flashed, Kim didn’t look happy. But her nemesis Mao Asada, the two time world champion faltered with 62.10. Asada made too footed landing on her triple axel and she botched triple loop.
Through buzzing speculations that clouded Kim in the past, she, despite the long break, again flaunted her mesmerizing speed, skills, and nearly inconceivable inborn talent on ice. Kim looks still potent and feels nearly untouchable.
That was obvious even when Kim in bleak dark outfit made a practice run a day before. Her slim figure outcropped among the peers with charismatic glow. She did perfection in practice. On the rink, Kim briefly passed Mao Asada without betraying any sign of distraction, as composed as focused. Asada also looked oblivious of Kim that day.
After two year long hiatus since her Vancouver triumph, Kim aims to shape up again for her another Olympic gold quest in the upcoming Olympics in Soshi. The second-tier competition in Germany last year was a stepping stone, in which she won the title as easy as an apple pie. Her objective then was to gather points to qualify for the world because her name wasn’t in ISU official ranking due to her long absence in competitions.
But like always, in her comeback, her archrival Asada stands in her way. Two years has passed since Asada and Kim met in Vancouver where Kim came out victorious. Here in London, again the reigning Olympic champion Kim and the two time world champion Asada were set to duel to draw out their crisscrossed destiny.
Asada this season was unbeaten. For Asada, this 2013 world Championship is critical. In 2009 Asada was defeated by Kim and never overtook Kim since.
Kim didn’t show her once pristine edge, and perhaps she never will, but her skill still looks daunting and intimidating for her peers. It’s clear to everybody that the chance to beat Kim will be slim this time too, even for Asada, unless Kim crumbles on her own nerves.
Now game is on. It is a time for Asada to put together in free, and for Kim to unleash what she is capable of. It will be an exciting event.