⛸️ Next Generation Speed Skaters Chasing the Next Lee Sang-hwa! Japan Training Camp & Overseas Race Updates - 2026.10.12 | Speed Skating

Hello, fans! 🧊 Speed Skating Mania is back with this week's speed skating news. This time we have updates on Korea's young skaters training in Japan and an international race from overseas!

🇰🇷 Korea's Young Skaters Sweat It Out in Japan

The stars of this story are our promising young skaters! According to the Korea Skating Union, the speed skating junior national team and the young talent squad have wrapped up an overseas training camp in Hachinohe, Japan ^[1]. The camp ran for 8 days from September 21, with 9 junior national team members and 7 young talents, 16 athletes in total ^[2].

The article title mentions 'the next Lee Sang-hwa,' so you can feel how big the expectations are, right? 😍 The union said the athletes did systematic on-ice training and fitness programs at local rinks, focusing on checking individual form and improving performance ^[1].

The key point is the 'unfamiliar ice.' The skaters experienced a training environment and ice quality different from home, building adaptability and preparing for real-race sharpness for future international competitions ^[1]. Healthy competition and team life also helped build international race sense and teamwork ^[2]. Ice quality changes how your skates feel, so getting that experience early is truly valuable! 💪

This summer joint training is hosted by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, organized by the Korea Skating Union, and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Sport Promotion Corporation ^[1]. Imagining these young athletes growing with strong support and one day wearing the national team badge on the world stage gives me chills! 🇰🇷

🌎 Overseas Race Highlights at a Glance

This isn't Korean athlete news, but we can't skip the 2026 World Skating Games held in Luque, Paraguay on October 10 . Women's senior and junior 5,000m points races took place there ^[4] ^[3].

In the senior women's 5,000m points race, Colombia's Gabriela Rueda celebrated winning gold . USA's Corinne Stoddard also competed in the same race ^[4]. In the junior women's 5,000m points race, Colombia's Mariana Imitola won the title, and her teammate Manuela Rodriguez took silver ^[3] ^[5]. Teammates sharing gold and silver was a great sight to see 👏

The athletes' expressions in the photos show the passion they poured into the race. Maybe our young Korean skaters will soon experience moments like these at overseas events too! 🙌

📌 A Word from Speed Skating Mania

It's a quiet season-prep period, but our young talents are steadily building their skills on unfamiliar ice. Speed Skating Mania will keep bringing you Korean speed skating updates closely. Go, Korean speed skating! 🧊🇰🇷