DPRK’s figure skating pair win bronze at ISU Four Continents Championships

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The figure skating duo Ryom Tae Ok and Kim Ju Sik from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) won the bronze medal on Friday at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Taiwan.

After the short program, Ryom and Kim sat in the fourth place.

In the free skate to the song “Je ne suis qu’une chanson” by Ginette Rino, their routine featured a triple twist, triple toe-double toe combination, and a throw triple Salchow as well as difficult lifts.

However, Ryom fell on an under-rotated double axel and stepped out of the landing on a throw triple loop.

Nonetheless, the pair claimed the bronze to give the DPRK its first medal at an ISU Figure Skating Championship.

Bronze medalists Ryom Tae Ok and Kim Ju Sik of the DPRK hug their coach after a news conference. /VCG photo

USA duo Tarah Kayne and Danny O'shea win the gold with 194.42 points.

Ryom Tae Ok, 18, and Kim Ju Sik, 25, became the first North Koreans to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, qualifying last September in Germany, after working with Marcotte since March of this year.

They are part of the 22 athletes from their country that will be competing at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.