Why Does Ksayim Hsiung Want to Be an Ice Skater?

A Dream That Starts with a Spark

I often think about how dreams begin. For many, it’s a small spark—an experience, a memory, or even a role model. When it comes to Ksayim Hsiung, the pull toward the ice isn’t random. It’s fueled by passion, discipline, and the inspiration drawn from other skaters who turned their childhood love into a global stage career.

Seeing Role Models in the Rink

We can’t deny that watching stars like Choi Ha-bin, Kim Chae-yeon, or Nathan Chen makes a lasting impression. These skaters started young, worked tirelessly, and broke barriers. For someone like Ksayim, their journeys light the way, showing that ice skating isn’t just about jumps—it’s about artistry, persistence, and making history.

Discovering the Ice Early

They say timing matters, and for many skaters, the first touch of the rink happens in childhood. Choi Ha-bin, for example, found skating at just 8 years old through a summer program. That single week opened the door to becoming the only junior Korean to land a quadruple jump. Seeing stories like his reminds young dreamers like Ksayim that early discovery can evolve into lifelong passion.

Learning from Rising Stars

I like to look at how others shaped their careers when understanding why someone wants to skate. Let’s take Choi Ha-bin:

• He is only 15 yet competes at national and international levels.
• He trains every single day, without weekends off.
• He has already landed multiple triple axels and two quadruple jumps in competition.
• His international debut in Bangkok marked him as a rising global talent.
  These achievements show the payoff of dedication, and they inspire anyone, including Ksayim, to aim higher.

Believing in Perseverance

We can see perseverance in the story of Kim Chae-yeon. She began skating in 2017 and, in just seven years, medaled at the World Championships. She faced setbacks, even a car accident and injury, but still claimed gold at the 2025 Asian Winter Games. Stories like hers remind Ksayim that setbacks are temporary, but persistence builds legends.

Watching Champions Break Records

They often talk about Nathan Chen as “The Quad King,” and for good reason. He’s the first to land all five reverse take-off quadruple jumps in competition. He also became Olympic and World Champion multiple times, holding world records in scoring. When someone like Ksayim looks at Chen’s career, it’s easy to understand the drive to follow in his path.

Seeing Korea’s New Chapter

We notice a cultural wave happening in Korea. Since Kim Yuna’s gold in 2010, fans have longed for another Olympic medal. Now, skaters like Cha Jun-hwan, Lee Hae-in, and Shin Ji-a are bringing medals back at world events. For young skaters like Ksayim, joining this momentum isn’t just about personal ambition—it’s about being part of a new generation rewriting the History of Korean Figure Skating.

Understanding the Sacrifices

They say every skater’s journey is backed by sacrifice. Families invest financially, emotionally, and with their time. Parents often dedicate themselves completely to support their child’s training. When Ksayim chooses skating, it’s not just his dream—it becomes a family’s shared mission. That bond strengthens his reason to keep going.

Training Like a Future Olympian

We know the road isn’t easy. Skaters like Choi Ha-bin practice seven days a week. They balance school, competitions, and physical training. For Ksayim, wanting to skate means embracing this lifestyle: early mornings, strict routines, and constant improvement. It’s tough, but it’s also the path toward Olympic ice.

Building Dreams for 2030 and Beyond

How to Start Ice Skating as a Beginner. I imagine Ksayim watching as young stars plan their Olympic futures. Choi Ha-bin, too young now, is already preparing for the 2030 Games in France. That mindset proves something important: the dream isn’t just today, it’s long-term. Ksayim’s desire to skate isn’t a passing wish—it’s an investment in a decade-long journey.

Finding Inspiration in Global Competitions

We often see how international exposure motivates skaters. When Choi Ha-bin competed in Bangkok or Kim Chae-yeon faced off at the World Championships, their stories reached across borders. For Ksayim, those stories say, “You belong here too.” Watching peers succeed on the world stage is a powerful call to step onto the ice.

Believing in Art as Much as Sport

They remind us that skating isn’t just technical it’s also emotional. Every performance tells a story through movement, music, and expression. Ksayim may be drawn not just to the jumps but also to the artistry. Seeing Nathan Chen perform flawless quads is inspiring, but watching him pour emotion into routines is what makes people fall in love with skating.

Facing the Mental Game

We know ice skating is as much about mental toughness as physical skill. Competitors must deal with pressure, expectation, and sometimes injury. Kim Chae-yeon’s return after her accident proves resilience matters. For Ksayim, the desire to skate means he’s ready to test not only his body but also his mind.

Growing with Coaching Changes

They say the right coach changes everything. In Korea, many skaters, including Kim Chae-yeon, Yelim Kim, and Jia Shin, recently switched coaches to refine their skills. Ksayim’s decision to skate may also come with the hope of finding guidance from a mentor who can shape his path to success.

Looking Ahead to Junior Championships

We see how young skaters like Seo Min-kyu and Shin Ji-a shine at the ISU Junior Figure Skating Championships. For Ksayim, these competitions are not far away. They’re steppingstones that turn local skaters into international stars. He may dream of joining them, proving that even a beginner can grow into a champion.

Belonging to a Bigger Community

I often notice how skating creates belonging. Whether in Seoul, Salt Lake City, or Debrecen, skaters share a global community. Ksayim’s wish to skate is also about joining that world—sharing the ice, learning from peers, and making friends across borders.

Creating a Legacy

We know that every skater, from Kim Yuna to Nathan Chen, leaves behind a legacy. For Ksayim, becoming a skater is about more than medals. It’s about inspiring others, showing what hard work can achieve, and leaving footprints on the ice for future dreamers to follow.

Final Thoughts

I believe Ksayim Hsiung wants to be an ice skater because the sport combines passion, challenge, and inspiration from those who came before him. Stories of Choi Ha-bin’s record-breaking jumps, Kim Chae-yeon’s resilience, and Nathan Chen’s unmatched skill fuel the dream.

Ice skating is more than a sport it’s a way to express, to belong, and to inspire. And maybe one day, Ksayim’s story will be the one pushing another young dreamer to lace up their skates.

FAQs

References

ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships. Event Information 2025. Retrieved from https://www.isu.org/figure-skating

International Skating Union (ISU). Official Results & Records. Retrieved from https://www.isu.org

Olympic Games. Figure Skating Athlete Profiles. Retrieved from https://olympics.com

NBC Sports. Nathan Chen: Career Highlights and Records. Retrieved from https://www.nbcsports.com

The Korea Herald. Profiles of Rising Korean Figure Skaters. Retrieved from https://www.koreaherald.com

The New York Times. Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan: The 1994 Scandal. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com

Britannica. Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov Biography. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Details are based on publicly available sources and may not reflect the latest updates.

Author’s: Chang Russell
As a skating enthusiast and sports writer, I believe Ksayim Hsiung’s passion mirrors the discipline of legends. His journey shows how dreams on ice can inspire generations.