Korea bags silver in team pursuit

South Korea on Saturday added what should be its final medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics, the silver in the men's team pursuit in speed skating, but will fall short of its stated objective.The team of Lee Seung-hoon, Joo Hyong-jun and Kim Cheol-min took the silver behind the favored Netherlands in the team pursuit race at Adler Arena Skating Center, winning the country's first medal in the event that became a medal sport in 2006.It brought South Korea's medal tally to three gold, three silver a

Feb. 23, 2014

Korea wins silver in men's team pursuit speed skating

South Korea grabbed silver in the men's team pursuit speed skating event at the Sochi Winter Olympics on Saturday.The trio of Lee Seung-hoon, Joo Hyong-jun and Kim Cheol-min finished the eight-lap race in 3:40.85, 3.14 seconds behind the heavily favored Netherlands in the final, but still collected South Korea's first medal in the team pursuit. The event became a medal sport in 2006.The Dutch team of Sven Kramer, Jan Blokhuijsen and Koen Verweij set the Olympic record with 3:37.71.South Korea an

Feb. 23, 2014

Experts, fans up in arms over Sochi figure skating judging

The stunning defeat of South Korean figure skating star Kim Yu-na in the ladies' singles competition at the Sochi Winter Games has left fans and experts, both at her home and abroad, up in arms about judging in one of the marquee events at the sporting event.Kim, the 2010 Olympic champ, fell shy of winning her second straight gold on Thursday in Russia, settling for silver with 219.11 points in total, 5.48 points behind the upstart Russian, Adelina Sotnikova.Kim held the slim, 0.28-point lead ov

Feb. 22, 2014

Viktor Ahn tears up short track record books

Viktor Ahn crowned himself king of short track Friday night, winning two golds to tie retired star Apolo Anton Ohno for the most career Olympic medals with eight. Ahn led Russia to victory in the 5,000-meter relay, taking the lead for good by passing American J.R. Celski with eight laps to go. Earlier in the evening, Ahn won the 500. The South Korean-born skater who switched nationalities in 2011 finished the Sochi Games with a medal in all four of his events. He applauded as he cross

Feb. 22, 2014

Park wins gold, Shim bronze in women's 1,000m

South Korean short tracker Park Seung-hi captured the gold medal and teammate Shim Suk-hee grabbed the bronze in the women's 1,000 meters on Friday at the Sochi Winter Games.Park finished the nine-lap race in 1:30.761, holding off Fan Kexin of China by 0.05 second to earn her second gold medal and third medal overall in Sochi. Shim finished third in 1:31.027, picking up her third medal at her first Olympics.Park and Shim earlier teamed up to win the gold medal in the 3,000ｍ relay. Park also has

Feb. 22, 2014

S. Korea reaches finals in men's team pursuit speed skating

South Korea on Friday reached the finals in the men's team pursuit speed skating event at the Sochi Winter Olympics.The men's trio of Lee Seung-hoon, Joo Hyong-jun and Kim Cheol-min finished the eight-lap race in 3:42.32 to beat Canada, which finished in 3:45.28. South Korea posted the fastest time in the quarterfinals with 3:40.84.In the finals, set for Saturday, South Korea will take on the Netherlands, securing at least the silver medal.  Canada's Mathieu Giroux, Lucas Makowsky and Denny Morr

Feb. 22, 2014

Dethroned Kim calls time on career

Kim Yu-na said she was swamped with emotions when she realized she had been dethroned as Olympic champion despite a flawless performance in Sochi ― but admitted she was “relieved it was over.” Shortly afterward the South Korean ― dubbed “Queen Yu-na” by her adoring fans ― confirmed she was retiring from competition as she had previously said she would.The 23-year-old took silver behind Russia’s Adelina Sotnikova, who won the host nation’s first ever women’s Olympic figure skating gold on a night

Feb. 21, 2014

Canada beats U.S. 3-2 in OT for women’s hockey gold

SOCHI, Russia (AP) ― The puck skittered the length of the ice on its way toward the empty Canadian net before clanging off the post and stopping in front of the crease. It was ― for a few more seconds, at least ― still a one-goal game. Then Marie-Philip Poulin scored with 54.6 seconds left in regulation, completing Canada‘s comeback from a two-goal deficit and sending the game into overtime. Once there, she added the gold medal-winning goal to beat the United States 3-2 ― the fourth consecutive

Feb. 21, 2014

S. Korean fury at Kim Yu-na defeat

For millions of South Koreans who stayed up into the early hours of Friday morning to watch their idol Kim Yu-na try to defend her Olympic figure-skating title, there was heartbreak and anger over her eventual silver finish.Within hours of the result, the website of the popular online campaigning forum, Change.org, crashed as hundreds of thousands logged on to sign a petition calling for a review of the judges' scores.The biggest name in South Korean sports, Kim has a fanatical following in her

Feb. 21, 2014

Kim Yu-na gives error-free performance

Adelina Sotnikova won Russia's first ever women's Olympic figure skating gold in dramatic circumstances on Thursday as defending champion Kim Yu-Na was dumped into the silver medal position. Kim Yu-na poses with Russia's gold medalist Adelina Sotnikova and Itakly's bronze medal winner Carolina Kostner. (Yonhap)The 17-year-old took her first major title ahead of South Korean superstar Kim with Italy's Carolina Kostner winning the bronze after the free skating final."All the sacrifices were worth

Feb. 21, 2014

Kim Yu-na wins silver in ladies' singles figure skating

South Korean figure skater Kim Yu-na captured the silver medal in the ladies' singles competition at the Sochi Winter Games on Thursday.  (Osen)Kim earned 144.19 points in her free skate for a total of 219.11 points in her last Olympics.Adelina Sotnikova of Russia won the gold medal, the first in the ladies' singles for her country. She ended up with 224.59 points after leading the field in the free skating with 149.95 points. Carolina Kostner of Italy got the bronze with 216.73 points, after 14

Feb. 21, 2014

On verge of history

Korea’s Kim Yu-na rehearses ahead of the free-skate program in Sochi, Russia, Thursday. (Yonhap)South Korean figure skater Kim Yu-na went through a mostly smooth dress rehearsal on Thursday, her final run-through of the free skating program scheduled for later in the day.Kim is the leader in the ladies’ singles competition after Wednesday’s short program with 74.92 points, 0.28 point ahead of Adelina Sotnikova of Russia.Kim will be the last among 24 skaters to perform. Her free skate, set to a t

Feb. 20, 2014

Kim Yuna back under media spotlight for “faultless” performance in Sochi

South Korean figure skater Kim Yu-na is attracting the media spotlight worldwide after a “superb” short program in the ladies’ singles competition on Wednesday, as she defends the Olympic crown at the Sochi Winter Games.  　The 23-year-old gold medalist has taken the lead with a score of 74.92 going into Thursday’s medal-deciding free program, followed by Russia’s Adelina Sotnikova with 74.64 and Italy’s Carolina Kostner with 74.12.  　Performing to a musical score titled “Send in the Clowns,” Kim

Feb. 20, 2014

Kim Yu-na battles nerves to take figure skating lead

Though her otherworldly performances may suggest otherwise, South Korean figure skater Kim Yu-na said Wednesday she is still human.Kim took the lead after the short program in the ladies' singles competition with 74.92 points, the highest score by a female skater this season, and the fifth-highest mark of Kim's career.The 23-year-old looked as poised and collected as ever, and the skater called "Queen Yu-na" appeared set for another Olympic coronation.Nevertheless, Kim later admitted to having b

Feb. 20, 2014