Short Track National Team Returns Triumphant with 6 Gold Medals... Ties Record for Most Golds Ever

Yonhap News

The South Korean short track speed skating team, which achieved the best-ever results at the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games, returned home triumphantly with six gold medals.

After completing the competition schedule, the team returned on the afternoon of the 10th through Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport.

The team won six out of the nine gold medals available in short track events at this competition, tying the record for the most gold medals won in short track at the Winter Asian Games. South Korea previously achieved the same feat at the 1999 Gangwon Games and the 2003 Aomori Games.

In addition to the six gold medals, the team also earned four silver medals and three bronze medals, bringing their total to 13 medals.

Despite the challenging environment of competing on the home ground of their biggest Asian rival, China, the team made a strong start by winning their first gold medal in the mixed 2000m relay on the 8th.

Following this, Park Ji-won (Seoul City Hall) and Kim Gilli (Seongnam City Hall) claimed gold in the men's and women's 1500m events respectively, while the 'ace' Choi Min-jung (Seongnam City Hall) won the women's 500m.

From the first day of medal races, the team dominated by winning gold in four out of five events, overshadowing their competitors. The host nation China managed to secure only one gold medal, won by Lin Xiaojun (Korean name Im Hyo-jun) in the men's 500m. On the 9th, Jang Sung-woo (Hwaseong City Hall) won the men's 1000m, and Choi Min-jung won the women's 1000m, reaffirming the strong status of Korean short track.

Notably, Choi Min-jung, who broke the Asian Games record twice and won gold in the 1000m, became a triple gold medalist at the event, showcasing her enduring skill.

However, the final races in the men's and women's relays ended with disappointing results.

Both teams collided with Chinese skaters just before the finish line and failed to win medals. The men's team, in particular, was penalized after being caught up in rough play by Lin Xiaojun, which was a bitter outcome.

Nevertheless, achieving the target of six gold medals has provided a positive outlook toward the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics.

Especially, the mixed relay gold medalists Park Ji-won, Jang Sung-woo, Kim Tae-sung (Hwaseong City Hall), and Kim Geon-woo (Sports Toto) will receive military service benefits, easing their burdens and allowing them to prepare for next year's Olympics.

Meanwhile, Choi Min-jung, who took a break during the 2023-2024 season, confirmed that she still maintains top-level skills by winning three gold medals at her first international multi-sport event since her return.