🛼 Choi Min-jeong's Last Dance Begins! World Tour Kicks Off in Vancouver on the 24th - 2026.10.22 | Short Track

Hello, fans! 🙌 The 2026-2027 Short Track World Tour is finally here. This season marks the last time we'll see national team veteran Choi Min-jeong compete for Korea, so my heart is already pounding 💓

🏁 The Last Dance Starts in Vancouver!

The ISU Short Track World Tour kicks off with the first leg in Vancouver, Canada, on the 24th (Korea time) ^[1]. This season's international schedule wraps up with the World Championships in Seoul next March, after seven World Tour stops ^[1]. The top male and female athletes and the top team across the seven stops will receive the Crystal Globe, the season MVP award, so keep your eyes peeled 👀 ^[1]

👑 Choi Min-jeong's Final Run Before Retiring from the National Team

Choi Min-jeong announced after the first national team selection trials in April that she will give up her national team spot after the 2026-27 season ^[1]. That means this is the last season we'll see her on the national team 😭 She reportedly trained intensely even in the off-season to finish strong, so get ready to cheer 💪 ^[1]

Along with Jeon I-kyung, Choi is regarded as the greatest women's short track athlete in Korean history. She won two golds at PyeongChang 2018, one gold and two silvers at Beijing 2022, and added one gold and one silver at Milan Cortina 2026 ^[1]. In total, she has won four Olympic golds and three silvers. She also holds the Korean record for most Summer and Winter Olympic medals (7) and ties the record for most Korean Winter Olympic golds (4) ^[1] ^[2]. Overcoming alleged deliberate collision injuries at PyeongChang, intense focus from rivals at home and abroad, and repeated injuries, she has held the top spot for years. Incredible, right? 🥹

🇰🇷 Overtaking Battle at Mokdong Home Ice!

The World Tour's third stop will be held at Mokdong Indoor Ice Rink in Seoul from the 20th to the 22nd of next month ^[4]. Top athletes from around the world will face off, and Kim Gil-li and Choi Min-jeong will lead Korea's push for medals at home ^[3]. In the women's individual events, Choi Min-jeong, Kim Gil-li, and Sim Suk-hee will compete, while Kim Min-ji and Choi Ji-hyun will handle the relay ^[2]. Tickets go on sale at 2 p.m. on the 23rd (Friday) ^[3], and the main races will be broadcast live on SBS and Chzzk 📺 ^[3]. Events linked to K-POP content are also planned, so the atmosphere should be electric! 🎤 ^[3]

⚠️ The Wild Card: Lim Jong-eon's Sanction

Lim Jong-eon, the men's ace, has been placed at risk of a severe penalty after three whereabouts failures for ITA out-of-competition doping tests in the past year ^[2]. He is currently going through the explanation process, and under the rules he could face up to a two-year suspension, meaning he could even be sidelined mid-season in the worst case ^[2]. His participation remains to be seen, so keep checking for updates before the event! 👀 ^[3]

📺 Back for the National Team! 'Speed Queen' Teaser Released

A teaser for TV Chosun's new reality show 'Speed Queen' has been released 🔥 Short track elite athletes, including Olympic medalists and former national team members, are reportedly aiming to compete in the actual national team selection trials ^[5]. The teaser includes the caption 'There is a story like this at Taereung Athletes' Village,' and the saying that anyone who becomes a women's short track national team member will definitely win an Olympic medal, showing how hard the national team badge is to earn ^[5]. The athletes' declaration that 'this is the absolute last chance' is also striking 💪 ^[5]. The first episode airs at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 ^[5].

🏆 The Goal: Men's and Women's Overall Title for the First Time in Three Years!

The national team led by coach Lee Jae-kyung is aiming for its first men's and women's overall title in three years and a return of the Crystal Globe ^[2]. Canada swept the men's and women's MVP and team awards last season, so this time Korea is ready to make a comeback! 😤 ^[2]