Writing the Pine

REUTERS/Andy Clark

I’ve been nervous about a lot of things before: tests, doctor’s appointments, any Duke/UNC game, whenever a fly ball heads Luis Castillo’s way.  But there’s always that extra bit of nervousness whenever I watch like the World Cup or the World Baseball Classic.  Something involving the major sports though.  The Olympics are great and I root for my country but I don’t get the same stomach-turning feeling because I’m just not as interested in archery or short-track speedskating.  So it came as a surprise to me just how nervous, and really, how excited I got in anticipation of Kim Yu-Na’s performance Tuesday night.  I’m sure I’ve been more nervous about things in my life but this was a different kind of nervous.  This was call-my-mom-to-make-sure-she-watches-too nervous.  There’s never been anybody in Korean history who has reached the athletic heights Kim Yu-Na has.  Sure Chan-Ho Park was the first Korean in Major League Baseball, won Rookie of the Year, and at one point had a $65 million contract, but he was never the best at what he did.  Ha Seung-Jin was the first Korean NBA player but he’s awful and is more known for making people’s NBA All-Ugly Team.  Kim Yu-Na is a world champion.  She’s a dominant force in her sport and I know that’s why my interest in ladies figure skating is rivaling my interest in North Carolina basketball.   Sure I should be rooting for her even if she wasn’t very good (and if I wasn’t very down with her) but c’mon, it’s easier to root for a winner right?  You know what I’m talking about.  It’s why anybody gives a damn about Michael Phelps.  It’s why, as Dave Lee aka “The Writing Illini” said his “facebook status feed just went nuts”.  Bottom line, America churns out elite athletes faster than The Situation goes through girls.  But Korea?  My friend Kenny said to me it’s possible there may never be another Korean athlete like Kim Yu-Na in our lifetime.  I scoffed at first, but after watching Kim’s short program, I’m starting to think it might be true.  You know you’re watching someone special when anybody can tell just how much better that person is than everybody else.  I felt that way watching Shaun White on the halfpipe and it’s how I felt watching Kim Yu-Na on the ice.  But it’s much more nerve-racking rooting for someone you expect so much from.  It’s just not a feeling I’m used to when it comes to rooting for one of my own.  So yeah, figure skating might not be the most manly sport in the world but I felt no shame high-fiving my friends after watching Kim’s record-breaking performance.  I just hope we’ll all have reason to celebrate again on Thursday night because Kenny might be right.  We might not have the opportunity to watch someone from Korea like her ever again.  And I’ll have to make sure my mom watches too.