Orser denies he’ll coach Mao Asada

Brian Orser, the coach of Olympic figure skating gold medalist Kim Yu-na, yesterday denied rumors that he is considering coaching Olympic runner-up Mao Asada of Japan.

In a telephone interview with Yonhap, the Canadian admitted that Asada’s agent had offered him the job at the World Championships last month, when the Japanese figure skater reclaimed her world title from Kim, the 2009 champion.

But Orser, who has coached Kim since 2006, said that he is not considering coaching Asada and that he is devoted to Kim.

Asada has been reportedly grown frustrated with her coach, Tatiana Tarasova of Russia, and is seeking a new trainer for the next Olympic Games in 2014.

The 2008 and 2010 world champion has worked with Tarasova since 2008.

The rumor about Orser has spread widely, as Kim has reportedly been considering whether to retire and go professional before the 2014 Olympics.

Orser said that he has to help Kim make that decision first, and will coach her if she wants to continue her career.

With Orser, Kim has won a bevy of titles including the Olympic gold medal, a world championship, and three Grand Prix Final trophies, as well as a world-record score of 228.56.

Yonhap