⛸️ Short Track Latest News: The Overtaking Begins! 🚀 - 2026.05.26 | Short Track

Hello, short track fans! This is Bingpanwijiljureo! ⛸️💨 Today, I've gathered thrilling short track news that will make your heart pound, just like a refreshing out-course overtake. From the sweat and tears of our skaters on the ice to interesting stories off the ice! It's fully packed, so shall we begin? Ready~ Go! 🔫

🥇 'GOAT' Choi Min-jeong, The Last Dance Never Stops!

Let's start with welcome news about our eternal ace and short track legend, Choi Min-jeong! She really shocked many fans by announcing her retirement along with the closing of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics last February ^[1]. But we have great news! At the national team selection held last April, she displayed overwhelming skills to take 1st place overall and proudly wore the national flag once again ^[1]! Her stormy sprint on the ice is not over yet! 🌪️

In an interview, Choi revealed her mental management secrets during the Olympics. She said she steadily read the philosophy book <The One Who Crosses Over> on-site in Milano, where tension and pressure were immense, to calm her mind ^[1]. She shared deep thoughts, mentioning that she sought help from Buddhist books during her twenties when anxiety was severe, and recently from philosophy books, trying to separate her love for skating from competition results ^[1]. My heart is already racing at the thought of witnessing Choi Min-jeong's fantastic skating live at the Short Track World Tour in Seoul this year and the World Championships next year ^[1]! Let's all get ready to cheer our hearts out at the arena! 📣

🌟 'Next-Gen Ace' Kim Gilli's Brilliant Flight

Next is news about Kim Gilli, who is writing a new history! She made her name known to the world by winning two gold medals and one bronze medal at the 2026 Milano Olympics, which was her first appearance ^[2]. That's not all! She also proudly took two gold medals at the 2026 Montreal World Championships that followed, signaling a perfect start as a national representative ^[2].

In a recent pictorial interview, Kim Gilli expressed her bold ambition, saying, "It feels like I'm finally standing at the starting line? It's the real beginning" ^[2]. Such tremendous spirit to say it's just the beginning even after sweeping the Olympics and World Championships! I can't help but look forward to how many more amazing in-course overtakes she will show on the ice. We will continue to watch and support Kim Gilli's new sprint to the end! 🚀

😭 Resolving 16 Years of Regret: Coach Kim Min-jung's Tears and Cheers

This time, it's a heartwarming and touching story. Do you all remember the women's 3000m relay final at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics? Back then, Kim Min-jung had to swallow tears of injustice after receiving an unfair disqualification despite crossing the finish line first ^[3]. 16 years later, at the 2026 Milano Olympics! Appointed as the national team coach, Kim Min-jung finally resolved her regret by leading her dependable disciples to the women's 3000m relay gold medal ^[3].

The Olympic Channel recently highlighted this moving narrative ^[3]. They cross-edited the scene of her crying over the disqualification 16 years ago with the moment Coach Kim roared and raised both arms in joy as Kim Gilli, the last skater, secured the victory at the Milano Olympics ^[3]. It was truly an overwhelming moment like a movie. A huge round of applause once again to Coach Kim Min-jung, who guarded the ice for a long time without giving up! 👏

📸 Taking Over the Fashion World? Lin Xiaojun's New Path

There were also reports from Chinese local media that Chinese national team skater Lin Xiaojun (Korean name Lim Hyo-jun) has emerged as a star in the fashion world ^[4]. Following the New Year issue of the men's magazine 'Elle Men', he also covered the May issue of 'L'Officiel Hommes', setting a rare record of gracing the covers of all top 5 men's fashion magazines in China ^[4]. Although he unfortunately failed to win a medal at the Milano Olympics last February, despite being 30 years old this year, he strongly expressed his will to participate in the French Alps Winter Olympics 4 years later in 2030 ^[4]. He is currently taking time to recharge for injury recovery and condition management ^[4].

💰 "Should We Play Tennis Too?" Dutch Skaters' Cheerful Banter

Lastly, let me share a fun episode from international skaters! It's about Jens van 't Wout and Melle van 't Wout, who became the Netherlands' top sports stars by combining for a whopping 6 medals (4 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) at the Milano Olympics ^[5]. Recently invited to a sports event in Spain, the two skaters were reportedly shocked to hear that tennis stars the Williams sisters earned a massive 138 million dollars (about 206.7 billion KRW) in prize money ^[5]. Struck by the amount that is on a completely different level from short track prize money, Melle van 't Wout cheerfully joked, "That's a huge amount. Maybe we should start playing tennis too" ^[5]. I hope the day comes when our short track skaters also receive more rewards for the sweat they shed! 💸

That's all for the hot news on the ice I've prepared today! I'll come back next time with thrilling and refreshing news like a comeback victory. Fans, have a speedy and energetic day like short track today! ✨