Team Kim

VANCOUVER – Kim Yuna dissolved into tears after she obliterated the opposition to become the first South Korean to win an Olympic figure skating gold medal, while a grieving Joannie Rochette melted millions of hearts with a display of sheer courage.

The 19-year-old, already hailed as Queen Yuna by her legion of admirers, had hollering fans rushing down the aisles after she was crowned Vancouver Games champion with a record combined total of 228.56. She won with a huge margin of 23.06 points.

"This was the first time I cried after an event. I didn't know why but I was so happy," said Yuna, already one of the top earning Olympians after banking more than $8 million in 2009.

"I still cannot believe that I received those scores, it's almost as close as the men's score," added Yuna, whose score would have placed her ninth in the men's event.

Japanese rival Mao Asada soared high into the air to become the only woman to land two triple Axels at the Pacific Coliseum on Thursday but could not match the technical wizardry, artistry or poise of Yuna and settled for silver with 205.5.

In Yuna's case, she had 50 million South Koreans following her every move -- and on Thursday she handed her nation their first Winter Games title outside short track and speed skating.

Her Canadian coach Brian Orser had declared last week that being with Yuna was "like traveling around with Princess Diana. She needs bodyguards where ever she goes."

Global popularity
Chances are that after Thursday, Yuna will have to hire dozens more bodyguards as her global popularity will no doubt soar following her incredible exhibition in Canada.

Born 20 days apart, Yuna and Asada have been rivals since the moment they first laced up their skates and for the second time in three days, the two teenagers brought traffic to a standstill in South Korea and Japan.

But it was Yuna who showed nerves of steel from the moment she landed her opening triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination.

Wearing an electric blue halter-neck dress, she took to the ice after doing the sign of the cross and almost appeared to be floating on water as she beautifully executed every one of her 11 jumps to the haunting backdrop of Gershwin's Concerto in F.

While roaring fans saluted her performance by proclaiming "Long live Queen Yuna", the Korean started shaking with emotion and with tears running down her cheeks, she covered her face.

The dozens of white teddy bears that started to rain down on the ice bore testament to the performance she had just delivered and the judges wasted little time in posting their verdict -- a record 150.06 points for the long program.

Asada had been on the ice to hear the frenzied commotion greet Yuna's score and the pressure got to her as she stumbled on her triple flip-double toeloop combination. Her glum face at the end of the program told its own story.

"Because there was so much noise I was not able to hear her score but I realized she must have had a very good score to get that type of reaction," said Asada.

***Honestly Mao, you were there in the ice just doing your routine. With that same face all through your figure skating competitions, just jumping, trying to make a triple-loop whatsoever. It's a shame. You've grown more un-gracefully. If you'd let go and put emotions to your routine, feel the rhythm instead of just dancing through it. I will always be watching you, but you will never impress me.