## Document: Overview of the Most Successful Athletes from the United States and South Korea: Michael Phelps and Kim Yu-na

### Introduction

The question of the most successful athlete in terms of international championships won can vary greatly depending on the country in question. The United States and South Korea, for example, have produced two remarkably successful athletes whose triumphs on the world stage have brought them fame and adoration both at home and internationally. Michael Phelps from the United States and Kim Yu-na from South Korea represent the pinnacle of success in their respective sports — swimming and figure skating.

### Michael Phelps: An Icon of Swimming

#### Early Life and Beginnings

Michael Fred Phelps II was born on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He began swimming at the age of seven, partly influenced by his sisters and in part to provide him with a constructive outlet for his energy, as he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Phelps’s talent for swimming became apparent early on, and he set his first national record in his age group at the age of 10.

#### Career Highlights and Achievements

Michael Phelps’s international career took off at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he became the youngest American male swimmer to compete at the Olympics in 68 years, although he did not win a medal. Over the next four Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016), Phelps amassed a staggering total of 28 Olympic medals, 23 of which were gold, surpassing the previous record held by Larisa Latynina.

Phelps’s unparalleled career includes setting 39 world records, the most of any swimmer. His performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics is particularly notable, where he claimed eight gold medals, breaking Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven golds in a single Olympic Games.

#### Legacy

Michael Phelps is not only celebrated for his Olympic successes but also for his contributions to swimming as a sport. His innovative training techniques and his mental preparation have set new standards in the sport. He retired after the 2016 Rio Olympics, leaving a legacy that is likely to remain unparalleled in the world of swimming.

### Kim Yu-na: Queen of the Ice

#### Early Life and Beginnings

Kim Yu-na was born on September 5, 1990, in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. She moved to Gunpo when she was six years old. Kim started skating in 1996, quickly emerging as a prodigious talent in a country not traditionally known for its presence in the sport of figure skating.

#### Career Highlights and Achievements

Kim Yu-na burst onto the international scene in 2006 when she won a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships. Her career trajectory continued upward with numerous victories on the Grand Prix circuit and two World Championship titles (2009, 2013). However, her crowning achievement was winning the gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, where she set world record scores in the free skate and combined total under the ISU Judging System, highlighting her technical proficiency and artistry.

#### Legacy

Kim Yu-na's influence extends beyond her Olympic and World titles. Known in South Korea as “Queen Yu-na,” she has transformed figure skating's popularity in her country, inspiring a new generation of skaters. Her graceful style, combined with her athletic prowess, has made her an icon not only in sports but also as a global ambassador for various philanthropic causes.

### Conclusion

Evaluating the success of these two athletes in the sphere of international sports, both Michael Phelps and Kim Yu-na have set benchmarks in their respective fields that will be revered for generations. While Phelps may dominate by the sheer number of medals, Kim's groundbreaking influence in a sport relatively new to her country presents a different but equally compelling form of success. The narratives of Phelps and Kim remind us of the diverse ways athletes can achieve greatness and inspire their nations and the world.