Kim Chae-yeon of South Korea won the Four Continents figure skating competition with a near-flawless free skate to prevent an American sweep of the podium.

Local favorite Kim Chae-yeon of South Korea won the Four Continents figure skating competition with a near-flawless free skate on Sunday to prevent an American sweep of the podium.

South Korea's Kim Chae-yeon performs during the women's free skating at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships on Sunday at the Mokdong ice rink in Seoul, South Korea.

Local favourite Kim Chae-yeon of South Korea skated to gold at the ISU Four Continents championships in Seoul.

In many ways, South Korean figure skater Kim Chae-yeon is no different than many other athletes. She has bouts of self-doubt at times, worrying if she will fall to the ice on her next jump or if she will botch her next step sequence.