Kim Yeon-ah Heads to Canada for Overseas Training

Korea’s figure skating queen left for Canada on February 27 to train for the World Figure Skating Championships to be held by International Skating Union (ISU) in Tokyo, Japan on March 20-25.

Kim Yeon-ah is expected to be coached by Brian Orser of the Toronto Cricket club, where she went through a three-month training course earlier, and to get choreography advice from expert David Wilson.

The 17-year old is scheduled to arrive in Japan on March 18, to attend the competition after training in Canada. Then she will finalize her rehabilitation waist treatments and return to Canada in late April for longer-term training.

She said, “Though my waist still hurts, it will get better. Though Mao Asada will join the competition, I will play my game on the ice without worrying about her.” She added, “Orser and Wilson will give me a sophisticated and systematic training. I will do my best and I hope my first global championship will come as a result. As such, I want to continue my good performance in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.”

yjongk@donga.com