Canada is buzzing about two-time defending world champion, Patrick Chan, who was awarded 98.37 on his short program Wednesday at Budweiser Gardens.
Chan was impressive to be sure and the hushed crowd took in every breathtaking chisel of his skates as he painted a picture on the ice surface. You could hear each stroke.
“It was so inspiring to be out there,” Chan said, moments after his world record-setting performance.
Close to the end of his program he said a cold rush went through his body, something you “only feel once in a lifetime. Or if you’re going to jump off a building.”
Not everyone was sure he deserved such high marks. A journalist from the Czech Republic was shaking her head. It was worth about 85, she said. A Canadian writer added, perhaps there was some home cooking going on.
I spoke to Skate Canada president Benoit Lavoie and he disagreed. He was a figure skating judge. Another international judge, not on the judging panel Wednesday, was disappointed Chan didn’t receive perfect scores, Benoit said.
But Chan even told reporters his landings weren’t great. He reached level four on his spins and footwork.
While I enjoyed watching Chan, it was 18-year-old Denis Ten of Kazakhstan who stole the show for me.
His artistry was stellar as he performed to the soundtrack of The Artist.
The passion of the skate sent a rush through the crowd, who gave him a standing ovation.
He pulled off a 91.56 score, tons better than his personal best of 75.94. He put his hands to his face when he realized he just had the performance of his career. He sits in second behind Chan
His bio said that he is part of the Korean minority in Kazakhstan. He is a descendant of Korean General Min Keung Ho, said to be famous, but I’m not sure why.
I also loved the performance side of Daisuke Takahashi of Japan. He also exuded charm as he skated to Moonlight Sonata.
Chan seemed like he was skating just to get it over with. I thought his flair was too forced.
He did say he was on “auto pilot.”
Chan also said there were doubts going into his short program. Now that he’s got those doubts out of the way, I’m sure Chan will skate a memorable long program Friday.
I’ve been following Max Aaron as I’m writing about him for Haaretz in Israel. He took a bump to the head last night during his warmup when he fell and slid into the boards.
“I felt it right away, I thought for a second I’d black out.” His coach, Tom Zakrajsek said he checked his pupils for any sign of a concussion.
Aaron set a personal best score of 78.20 and sits eighth.
Isle of Rumleski 
(wikiqwiki) – His ancestor was a ‘freedom fighter’ in the era of Japanese domination of Korea
roughly 1905 to end of the Korean War half a century later which produced 2 countries,
North and South Korea. US had its finger in it after WW1 supporting Japan’s position…
Thanks for this info Korean Political History.
I had the chance to talk to Ten but it was quick as he had a bus to catch. Didn’t get the opportunity to ask about his famous ancestor.
[google] I
cenetwork.com:- Denis, in one interview you said that you want to be worthy of your great-great-grandfather, the famous Korean general Min Keung Ho. In your vision, did you already achieve that
or you are still on the way to it?
TEN:- My grandmother often told her grandchildren about the general Min Keung Ho. Therefore, from early childhood, I was very proud of my great-great-grandfather, but at the same time I began to understand all the responsibility
that goes with being a descendant of such a great man. Awareness of the heights reached by my grandfather –his
victories, courage and dedication — causes a storm of emotions in me and it helps in that I do…
Good questions. May get a chance to ask him.
Above interview continued, byline is Russian-sounding so journalist may
be better informed about regional history than we in the West tend to be.)
TEN:- When I first competed in Korea [2008 age c16] I was very surprised
that people are really interested in my great-great-grandfather. They shared
their knowledge about him, and I had the opportunity to compare the stories
told by my grandmother with stories from Korean sources. [The General would
be that grandmother’s own grandfather.]
In 2010, the Korean channel KBS filmed a documentary about Min Keung Ho and
his descendants, and the scenario of the program highlighted a story about me.
We filmed excerpts from my life for several days, first in Almaty and then in
Korea. We specifically went to Von Zhu, the hometown of my great ancestor.
I went to his grave, which was separated by a hill. On his tomb was written
“General Min Keung Ho who gave his life for the independence of Korea.”
People around me were crying, and I took a stone from his tomb, which I still
have and always carry with me.”
K – will see if location and pix of the cemetery come up online. One thing about international
sports is that they are a more cheerful way of learning world political history
that world wars…
typo above — than world wars.
No luck on the tomb or the film or even the village location so far.
Denis was only 14 in 2008 apparently, ages differ online.
Denis Yuryevich Ten (Russian: Денис Юрьевич Тен,
born June 13, 1993 in the country he skates for.
The Korean military hero died in 1908. Best I dan do in lookups.
Hope you get a minute with him and can ask where the ancestral
tomb is and if he carries the souvenir stone in world travels..
Wonder if he want so much attention on his family tree in media,
considering how little we know of that part of the world
Great information. I wasn’t able to find any of this so thank you.
Ten confirmed that his age is 19.
I was able to ask him four questions before they scooted him away to the medal ceremony. (See new post).
He talked about his great-great-grandfather but I didn’t get the chance to ask about the tomb.