Korean skater praises PH counterparts
Korean figure skater Kim Haejin believes the growing interest in the sport would make the Philippines a regular participant in the Winter Olympics.
Kim expressed amazement over the way figure skating has picked up interest in this side of the globe with 2014 Winter Olympian Michael Martinez and promising Mishka Summer Bolos winning in the international stage.
“I think there are a lot of very good figure skaters here in the Philippines… they enjoy skating,” the 19year-old Kim said Tuesday at the gala exhibition of the Dream Program with Korean figure skaters at the SM Mall of Asia Skating Rink.
Kim was part of the delegation that included choreographer Shin Yeaji, Kim Sena and Choi Whi, fellow members of the Korean national team. They conducted a one-hour workshop for 28 members of the Philippine Skating Union ages 7 to 19 years old.
The four ice skaters also performed their individual routines that entertained the crowd, which is also part of Korea’s promotion for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games slated Feb. 9-25 and Mar. 9-18, respectively.
“I hope that many people will be interested in joining the Winter Olympics,” said Kim, who participated in the 2014 Sochi Games.
As for the Filipinos competing in the Winter Games, Kim said anything is possible for the young athletes as long as they train hard, like what she did when she finally realized her dream to compete in the Olympics.
That experience, Kim said, was like no other as she represented her country and that is what she wants for the Filipino youth as they aspire to make it to high-level competition.
“I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to teach the kids,” said Kim. “There is always a possibility to make the Olympics. You have Michael Martinez, and he’s a Filipino skater.”
Her advice to the young skaters is to always keep pushing even after a fall, which happened to her during her opening routine.
“It can’t always be perfect on the ice rink stage because there will be accidents. If you will be patient and I think they will be, you will achieve your goal. Also, practice makes perfect,” she said.