South Korea's Kim Chae-yeon (Kim Chae-ran), who won the gold medal in women's figure skating singles at the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, could not hide her joy: "Defeating Kaori Sakamoto (a Japanese star) in a big competition like the Asian Winter Games is even more meaningful. On the 13th, after Kim Chae-yeon confirmed the championship in the women's figure skating single skating competition held at the Heilongjiang Provincial Ice Training Center Complex in Harbin, she said with a smile in an interview with reporters: "I don't believe it a little. On the other hand, I really want to win the gold medal and I'm really happy. ”

South Korea's Kim Chae-yeon, who won the gold medal in women's figure skating singles at the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games

In the free skate on the same day, Kim Chae-yeon scored 79.07 points in technical (TES), 68.49 points in art (PCS), a total score of 147.56 points, and 71.88 points in the short program, and finally won the championship with a total score of 219.44 points, surpassing Hanori Sakamoto (211.90 points).

Kaori Sakamoto is one of the top players in the world, having won three consecutive titles at the World Championships. Kim Chae-yeon, who finished second behind Sakamoto in the short program, showed a flawless performance in the free skate, overtaking Kaori Sakamoto, who made a jump error, to achieve a thrilling comeback and win the gold medal.

Kim Chae-yeon said frankly, "Kaori Sakamoto is a very good fighter. I didn't expect to win. "Maybe it's really a bit confused, and Kim Chae-yeon doesn't seem to be very happy after locking up the gold medal." I don't seem to believe it", recalling that Kim Chae-yeon smiled and said, "I also wanted to win Sakamoto Kaori once, but it was really honorable to win Sakamoto Kaori in such a big competition." Now it's a bit realistic. ”

At the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, it was a pity to win the silver medal in the women's figure skating women's singles skating by Japanese star Kaori Sakamoto

Kim Chae-yeon set new records in the short program, free skate, and total score in this competition. Kim Chae-yeon looked forward to it: "I achieved the best result in the Asian Winter Games. If you make it up a little bit later and make up for it, you may get a better score. Kim Chae-yeon's eyes naturally turned to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina d'Ampezzo, which will be held in a year's time. Kim Chae-yeon said, "We achieved good results at the Asian Winter Games as a rehearsal. The Olympics are a competition that I have dreamed of since the beginning of figure skating, and it is the biggest goal of my career. I have to go to the Olympics and compete better. ”

When she was in the third grade of elementary school, Kim Chae-yeon, who stood on the ice for the first time, quickly grew into a Korean figure skater. The secret of her success is "because I love figure skating so much", and Kim Chae-yeon explains: "Since you have done it, you will try not to regret it." This seems to be the biggest part. Armed with a stronger mental strength than last season, it has also become the basis for her to win the gold medal in this Asian Winter Games.

Kim Chae-yeon said of herself, "I consulted with a psychology teacher, and when I practiced, I did my best in every part of the practice, just like a competition. I think the spiritual aspect is the most growing. Kim Chae-yeon, who was already nervous, said, "I try not to show nervousness. Once the music starts, I usually concentrate on listening to it. She added: "I've tried to improve the quality of my jumps, but I'm glad I've done a good job jumping this season." ”

South Korea's Kim Chae-yeon, who won the gold medal in women's figure skating singles at the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games

Kim Chae-yeon's figure skating life is inseparable from "mother". Kim Chae-yeon is known for wearing a race costume made by her mother herself. On the day, Kim Chae-yeon, who was wearing a yellow free skating suit made by her mother and full of gold medals, said with a smile, "Unlike other athletes, my mother made it for me herself, and I prefer clothes." ”

In addition, my mother's cooking gave me a lot of strength during the competition. Kim Chae-yeon said with a smile, "I also had a good meal of cold salad this morning and at noon." Kim Chae-yeon, who returned home on the 14th, will participate in the International Skating Union (ISU) Four Continents Figure Skating Championships to be held at the Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul from the 20th to the 23rd.

Kim Chae-yeon said confidently, "From Saturday onwards, you should retrain and prepare for the competition. [At the Four Continents Championships, which are about quotas at the Winter Olympics] I also want to continue to feel like I was at the Asian Winter Games. If you make up for the areas that need to be further improved, you may be able to achieve better results than this competition. ”