Can we join the figure skating championships if we are good enough?

Question

I don't live in America but I learn ice skating and in my city we have levels instead of going to championships and ...etc. (We have contests in my ice rink instead) I adore Kim Yuna and I wonder how did she get the chance to go to Nationals or ...etc. So... Are we allowed to join the figure skating contests (that we see on TV) if we are good enough to be a champion??

Answer 1

I LOVE Yu-Na Kim too. In fact, she's my favorite skater.

She got to Nationals because she started when she was little. Because figure skating has gotten so popular in Korea nowadays, there is lots of competition and it's really hard to make a skating career if you don't have the top coaches and years of experience.

Have you skated yet? Taken lessons? Try it first. Get a taste of what freestyle skating is like. Then see if you truly love it.

Good luck! ^_^

Answer 2

First, you have to get noticed at small competitions.  If someone good offers to be your coach, you may have the opportunity to go to the championships.  Also, you can send a promotional video to people who you would like to sponsor you once you have a coach.  It isn't easy, but I hope you do well!

Answer 3

Hey I would like to be your pen pal, but I can't email you!

Email me, I'm Korean too.

my email is [e-mail]

and to your question, of course if your good! But it takes a lot of work...

Answer 4

Each country sets their own separate standards of the level the skater has to be to become a senior and to compete internationally.

In a country like India which doesn't even have year round rinks, the standards to compete are set very low. You could barely have a single Axel and still go to worlds if you're old enough. The ISU isn't the one in charge to demand only skaters that can land triples to go to worlds if a given country has no-one else.

I can't say much for Korea because I don't know how good the skaters are, how competitive it is and test requirements to become the equivalent of a Senior there. However, all three ladies spots are taken by at least competantly competitive skaters in the case of Na-Young and Chwa-Sin. If you want to go to worlds next season in Ladies representing South Korea, you better get at least 150 points which means more than 1 solid triple, a double Axel and a solid Triple- Double combo.

You don't *need* forcibly citizenship of a country to go to worlds. You could represent South Africa if your level is good enough given they have nobody else that's really competitive and could go to any event except the Olympics which require citizenship.

If your case, you could consider competing for North Korea since technically they can have the right to send skaters (albeit I don't know their ISU federation status that well), albeit I don't know what kind of deal you'd have to pull to do it.

If not, hey, Pairs and Ice Dancing is free for grabs in Korea. You just need a male partner.