The Asian Reporter Pacific Northwest News q Volume 24 Number 3 q February 3, 2014 q www.asianreporter.com Winter Olympics to feature fast and graceful Asian skaters Endangered turtles face new threat Page 2 Chinese rocker quits show over song choice Page 3 EASTERN LIGHTNING. Yu Jing of China, nicknamed “Eastern Lightning,” skates in the women’s 500-meter race of the World Sprint speed-skating championships in Nagano, central Japan, last month. Jing, along with teammates Hong Zhang and Beixing Wang, will compete for medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The Opening Ceremony for the games takes place Thursday, February 6. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) By Mike Street Special to The Asian Reporter he Winter Olympics feature many sports on snow and ice, but few are more popular than the skating events. Speed skaters race in sleek out- fits, separated by mere hundredths of a second, with the slightest misstep leading to a foul or a fall. Figure skating features no less drama, despite its slower pace, in a competition that rewards technical excel- lence more than creativity. At any speed, Asian athletes could dominate the skating events this month in Sochi. Asian speed-skating strength lies with T the Chinese and South Korean women’s teams. The Chinese women feature Yu Jing, who earned the nickname “Eastern Lightning” by winning four gold medals at the Asian Singles Distance Champion- ships and a gold medal at the 2011 Asian Winter Games. At this year’s World Sprint speed-skating competition, Jing was the overall women’s winner, edging out coun- trywoman Hong Zhang. Zhang, a relative newcomer to the sport, nonetheless placed in the top ten at five World Singles Championship events over the past three years. She also finished in the top ten at the Sprint Combination event in each of the past three World Sprint championships. Zhang didn’t make the Chinese team for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C., while Jing placed 32nd in the 1,000-meter race. But their teammate, Beixing Wang, earned a bronze medal in the 500-meter event. It was Wang’s fourth straight Olym- pics, but just her first medal. She has a good chance to medal again this year after placing second in the 500-meter sprint at the 2013 World Singles Distance Cham- pionships. The woman Wang lost to in Vancouver was South Korea’s Sang-hwa Lee, who had a spectacular 2013. She won all seven Continued on page 9 - THE LAW OFFICE OF - 37th annual PIFF opens February 6 Overwhelmed by debt? Want a fresh start? ROBERT LE KELLY K. BROWN Injury Lawyer For The People BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY PERSONAL INJURY 503·224·4124 AUTO ACCIDENTS | SERIOUS BODILY INJURY www.kellybrown.com www.injurylawyerforthepeople.com ★ LOW-COST BANKRUPTCY ★ Free consultation ★ Stop foreclosure and garnishment ★ Evening and weekend appointments FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION (503) 898-0753 w (503) 379-1901 520 SW Yamhill · Suite 420 · Portland 97204 · We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Code. 5895 Jean Road, Suite 109, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035 The Asian Reporter 922 N. Killingsworth St., Suite 1A Portland, OR 97217 USA Page 11 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID Portland, OR Permit # 2474 Happy Lunar New Year! Celebrate the Year of the Horse! January 31, 2014 to February 18, 2015. Meet Dr. James Chan Your trusted Facial Plastic Surgeon Resource Specializing in: s Asian Faces Eyelid Surgery s Facial Plastic Surgery s Rhinoplasty s Asian Look your best! You’ve earned it! Call today for a consultation: (503) 953-1230