⛸️ Yoo Young Wins U Games Trials, Kim Hyun-gyeom Tops Men's Singles! This Week in Figure Skating 🎉 - 2026.10.17 | Figure Skating

Hello, fans! ⛸️ This week was full of news from domestic trials held in Gimhae. And the star of the week is definitely Yoo Young!

🏆 Yoo Young Wins Changchun U Games Trials

Yoo Young won the women's singles at the 2027 Changchun Winter World University Games (Universiade) team selection trials with a final total of 197.51 points ^[1]. After leading the short program, she scored 130.32 in the free skate and beat Lee Hae-in (184.66 points) by 12.85 points ^[4]. Kim Seo-young (159.25 points) took third, and Yun A-sun (157.81 points) placed fourth ^[2].

Let's look at her free skate. She started cleanly with a triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination, and although a triple flip brought a 0.76-point deduction for attention and quarter landing calls, her triple loop and a Level 4 flying camel spin turned the mood around ^[1]. Even with under-rotation calls later on, she nailed the final triple salchow and closed with strong spins and steps. That focus was really impressive 👏 ^[2]

Yoo Young finished 5th at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and was the face of Korean women's singles. She was given a penalty in 2024, but after a lawsuit, the Korea Skating Union lifted it and she returned to the ice ^[1]. That makes this win feel extra special 🥹

👑 Kim Hyun-gyeom Takes the Men's Title

In men's singles, Kim Hyun-gyeom took the top spot ^[2]. He scored a free skate TES of 73.80 and PCS of 74.43, for a final total of 228.26 ^[3]. Lee Jae-geun (223.22) finished second, and Cha Young-hyun (213.44) third ^[2]. Kim also performed in the short program at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February ^[3].

🔍 Scoring Error Corrected

There was also a small hiccup. The Korea Skating Union found a scoring system error in the previous day's short program and corrected the scores ^[1]. It is good to see that athletes' efforts are evaluated accurately.

📅 What's Next

The selected athletes are headed to the Changchun Winter World University Games, which will be held from January 15 to 25 next year ^[3]. Can't wait, right? 🙌

Fans, let's cheer loudly for the sweat and passion of the skaters on the ice this week! See you in the next update ⛸️✨