MILAN – In a poetic transition of power on the ice, Kim Gil-li (Seongnam City Hall) has ascended to the pinnacle of short track speed skating, becoming the first South Korean athlete to secure two gold medals at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. However, the golden glory was soon met with bittersweet tears as the young champion learned of her idol Choi Min-jeong’s impending retirement.
A Masterclass in Strategy and Speed
On the final day of short track competition held at the Milan Ice Skating Arena on February 21st (KST), Kim Gil-li delivered a flawless performance in the Women’s 1,500m final. Having already secured a bronze in the 1,000m and a gold in the 3,000m relay, Kim entered her signature event with palpable confidence.
The race was a tactical masterpiece orchestrated by the South Korean duo. For the first half of the race, Kim and the legendary Choi Min-jeong maintained their positions within the pack, observing the tempo. With seven laps remaining, Choi initiated a signature outside-course burst to move into second place, with Kim following closely in third.
The turning point arrived with three laps to go. As the early leader, Corinne Stoddard (USA), began to fade, the Korean skaters seized the opportunity. In a coordinated display of dominance, they swept the inner and outer lanes simultaneously to take control. With two laps remaining, Kim Gil-li executed a decisive pass on the straightaway, overtaking Choi to claim the lead. She maintained her explosive pace until the finish line, leaving no room for a counter-attack.
The Passing of the Torch
The emotional weight of the victory became evident during the post-race interviews. Kim Gil-li, who has long cited Choi Min-jeong as her role model, expressed her overwhelming joy. "Sharing the podium with Min-jeong unnie (older sister) was my greatest wish. To compete against the athlete I’ve admired since childhood and to win feels surreal," Kim remarked, her face beaming with pride.
However, the atmosphere shifted instantly when reporters mentioned Choi Min-jeong’s post-race announcement. Choi, the defending champion who won back-to-back golds in the 1,500m at Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022, had hinted that Milan would be her final Olympic stage.
"Is this really her last Olympics?" Kim asked, her smile vanishing as tears began to well up. The young double-gold medalist, overcome with emotion, struggled to continue. "I trained every day just by looking at her. I wanted to become a great athlete just like her. Knowing how hard she worked, I am so grateful for her congratulations."
A Legacy Continued
Despite the emotional revelation, the 2026 Milan Games mark a historic achievement for South Korean winter sports. Kim Gil-li’s double gold follows the success of snowboarder Choi Ga-on, bringing Korea’s gold medal count to three.
As the "Ace" Choi Min-jeong prepares to hang up her skates with a silver medal added to her illustrious career, the emergence of Kim Gil-li ensures that South Korea's dominance in short track remains in capable hands. Kim concluded her interview with a touch of youthful exhaustion and sincerity: "I just want to go back to the dormitory, finish the doping tests, and show this gold medal to my family."
The Milan Ice Skating Arena bore witness not just to a race, but to a profound moment of sportsmanship and the enduring legacy of South Korean short track—a bridge between a legendary past and a brilliant future.
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