Breaking News: Seo Minkyu Makes History, Ending a Long Drought for the Republic of Korea in Figure Skating!
Seo Minkyu, a rising star in the figure skating world, has just etched his name in the history books! He became the first male skater from the Republic of Korea to win the Junior Grand Prix Final. This incredible achievement marks a significant moment for his country, ending a dry spell that has lasted since the legendary Yuna Kim's victory.
At the 2025 Junior Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan, on Friday, December 5th, the 17-year-old skater delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come. He not only took home the gold but also shattered his personal best scores. In the men's free skate, he achieved a score of 171.09, and his overall score soared to 255.91.
Seo's reaction? Pure joy and determination. "I'm very happy to have achieved my personal best and delivered a perfect performance in free skating," he exclaimed. "For the next competition, I will work even harder to earn a higher score."
But here's where it gets controversial... While Seo's victory is undoubtedly a cause for celebration, he humbly avoids comparisons to Yuna Kim, the Vancouver 2010 champion, who previously held the title for the Republic of Korea in the women's event. "I still have a long way to go to follow in Yuna Kim's footsteps," he said, highlighting his commitment to continuous improvement.
Seo's free program, set to "Exogenesis" and choreographed by Olympic champion Patrick Chan, was a masterpiece of athleticism and artistry. He flawlessly executed a quad Salchow, followed by eight triple jumps, including three in combination, and earned top marks for his spins.
The competition was fierce. Nakata Rio of Japan, the world junior champion, led after the short program. However, a less-than-perfect free skate, where he attempted three quads, ultimately landed him in second place. Despite the disappointment, Rio remained gracious, stating, "I was nervous but this is the best I have to offer at this point in time." He scored 163.22 for his free skate and 249.70 overall.
USA's Lucius Kazanecki showcased an impressive performance, climbing from fourth to third place with a free skate score of 153.72 and a total score of 225.85.
What do you think? Do you believe Seo Minkyu has the potential to become a future Olympic champion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
