South Korea’s short track program reaffirmed its global supremacy at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics as Kim Gil-li and Choi Min-jeong secured a stunning one-two finish in the women’s 1,500-meter final. In a tactical masterclass at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, Kim surged ahead to claim the gold, leaving her teammate with the silver and American Corinne Stoddard with the bronze.
A Tactical Battle on the Ice
The 14-lap final began at a measured, cautious pace. While Stoddard took an early lead, the South Korean duo remained patient in the middle of the seven-skater pack. The race intensified at the halfway mark when Choi made a decisive move, jumping from fifth to second place in a single burst.
As the race entered its final three laps, the podium contenders narrowed to Stoddard, Choi, and Kim. Choi briefly seized the lead, but Kim followed her closely, effectively neutralizing the American challenger. In a thrilling final lap, Kim found another gear, overtaking Choi to cross the finish line first and secure her place at the top of the podium.
Historic Milestones for Team Korea
This victory marks a passing of the torch and a solidification of a legendary career:
- Kim Gil-li’s Breakthrough: Kim leaves Milan as South Korea’s first double gold medalist of these Games. With a total of three medals—including gold in the 3,000m relay and bronze in the 1,000m—she is the first South Korean short tracker to achieve such a feat in an Olympic debut since 2014.
- Choi Min-jeong’s Legacy: Although she was denied a third consecutive Olympic gold in the 1,500m, Choi’s silver medal makes her the most decorated Olympian in South Korean history. With seven career medals, she has officially surpassed iconic athletes such as archer Kim Soo-nyung and shooter Jin Jong-oh.
Final Medal Standings
The South Korean short track contingent concluded their campaign in Italy with a total of seven medals: two gold, three silver, and two bronze. When combined with the men’s 5,000m relay silver earned earlier that day, South Korea’s overall tally at the Games stands at 10 medals as the competition enters its final 48 hours.
