Figure skating: Teen Kim Chae

Last year, videos on social media showed Kim attempting quad toe-loops and triple Axels using a harness, a training technique often practised by skaters when they are looking to attain a new jump.

She confirmed to Olympics.com in October that the hope still remains for those bigger jumps to be added to her repertoire, a shift that could make her even a bigger force headed toward the 2026 Olympics.

“I want to do the triple Axel,” she said. “We’re working on getting more air [on it]; jumping higher. I’m also working hard to take care of my points around my spins and step sequence.”

On the global stage, South Korea and Japan have gone from strength-to-strength when it comes to women’s singles skating. But aside from the dominant force of Sakamoto, none of the other top skaters have been able to put out consistent results.

Is Kim a change to that trend?

Lee Hae-in placed second at Korean nationals in December, but sunk to 11th in her attempted title defense at Four Continents while also missing the podium at her two Grand Prix assignments (she was fourth at both).

Olympians You Young and Kim Yelim have struggled since Beijing 2022, as well.

It is Lee, You and Kim Chae-yeon who will make up the Korean team for Worlds next month in March.

While Kim was just three years old when Yuna Kim won the Olympic title at Vancouver 2010, she had just started skating when Korea hosted the Games for PyeongChang 2018.

What happens next in Korean skating is partly up to her and how she continues down the road she’s on.

“It seems like the Korean approach is doing very well these days,” said Kim of their international success. “I am happy and proud to be able to compete as an athlete from Korea.”