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Chaeyeon Kim (KOR) made her home crowd proud striking gold as the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2025  wrapped up Sunday in Seoul with an exciting Women’s Free Skating filled with joy.

Chaeyeon Kim (KOR) sparkles golden on home ice 

Chaeyeon Kim of the Republic of Korea shone on home ice to skate to her first ISU Championship title. Bradie Tennell (USA) celebrated a full-circle moment by returning to the podium five years after earning bronze at the ISU Four Continents here in Seoul. And newcomer Sarah Everhardt (USA) made a fantastic ISU Championship debut picking up the bronze medal.

Chaeyeon Kim (KOR): 2025's ISU Four Continents women's Champion in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

Kim looked composed when she took the ice as the last Skater of the event – and she delivered. The 2024 ISU World bronze medalist turned in a beautiful performance to “Whisperers from the Heart” and “Love Dance”, completing seven flawless triple jumps and difficult spins. The Asian Winter Games Champion posted a personal best of 148.36 points and racked up 222.38 points overall to become the third Korean woman to win the ISU Four Continents title after Yuna Kim (in 2009) and Haein Lee (2023). 

“I was a little nervous because I wanted to show my best for the home crowd and I am glad I was able to do that,” Kim said. 

“I wasn't feeling well until this morning so I was worried about the performance. Fortunately, it turned out very well and I'm very satisfied about the result. Getting a gold medal in Four Continents right after the Asian Winter Games is a huge experience, very meaningful to me.”

Hometown heroine: Kim (KOR) at Sunday’s Free Skating during the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU 

The Seoul native feels some extra support wearing the costumes that her mother made for her. “I'm very thankful and grateful to my mom who always supports me and make costumes that fit well with my programs. Maybe it's the (golden) costume that is leading me to the honored results.”

Coming off her back-to-back victories, Kim now hopes to draw confidence for next month’s ISU World Championships, taking place in Boston, USA.

“I learned how to control myself and be a bit less nervous,” she said. “I also learned how to stay more focused on myself, keeping things consistent. Still, Worlds is a huge competition that makes me feel nervous. However, I get energy from my fans who are always supporting me.”

Kim (KOR) in action in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

For Tennell, coming to Seoul meant returning to happier times. In 2020 she took the bronze on this ice, her first ISU Championship medal, but then injury struck and she missed a season and a half. 

Here, Tennell proved she is back in business. 

The American gave an emotional performance to “Nessun Dorma” (from "Turandot") that was highlighted by six clean triple jumps to earn a season’s best of 137.80 points. With 204.38 points overall, the two-time US Champion moved up from fifth to second place.

Back in business: Bradie Tennell (USA) performing at the ISU Four Continents Championships in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

“I was really happy with my performance today because it's been a long time since I've given a performance like that,” Tennell said. 

“With all the struggles of the last few years it was a very satisfying moment to finish a program and feel such joy after skating. There's been a lot of frustration and tears this season and the past few seasons.

“It was just a really nice full-circle moment because I remember being here five years ago and actually it was the last competition before COVID. I had a good feeling about this competition and I'm glad I was right. I just had a really good time and I enjoyed myself a lot.”

Back in Seoul, back with a medal: Bradie Tennell (USA) © ISU

The 18-year-old Everhardt, meanwhile, continued her breakthrough this season with another excellent performance of her routine to “The Firebird” that featured five clean triples. The National bronze medalist netted 132.67 points and totaled 200.03 points to remain in third place. 

“It's my first ISU Championship,” she said. “It's a fun experience being in a big event, learning from the event and learning how things work. And I'm glad I was able to fight and show a good performance here.”

Her season has ended now – like Tennell, Everhardt is an alternate for the Worlds next month – and looks forward to things to come.

“I’m happy that I’m able to end the season on a high note and skate well here. I'm also excited to go back home and try new elements – try the triple Axel, quad toe – and enjoy the off season learning new things. I want to work on my component side of skating to improve that and overall just work on things and make them better so I'm competitive with everyone.”

Sarah Everhardt (USA), who took bronze at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

The popular Alysa Liu (USA) is, like Tennell, on the comeback trail after taking a break from skating. The 19-year-old came fourth with 198.55 points. Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) moved up from seventh to fifth place with 195.16 points, while the 2024 ISU Four Continents Champion Mone Chiba (JPN) dropped from second to sixth, having been unwell but deciding to compete. There was no Japanese woman on the ISU Four Continents podium for the first time since 2007.

What and when 

The schedule of the ISU Four Continents Championships 2025 was as follows:

• Thursday, February 20: Pairs Short Program, Rhythm Dance, Men’s Short Program
• Friday, February 21: Pairs Free Skating & Women’s Short Program  
• Saturday, February 22: Free Dance & Men’s Free Skating
• Sunday, February 23: Women’s Free Skating & Exhibition Gala

For more information, full entry lists and results, visit the ISU event page of the ISU Four Continents Championships 2025 and the official event website of the Championships. Follow the discussion on social media using #4ContsFigure and #FigureSkating.

Stay connected with the ISU: 

ISU website:                 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2025 

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