⛸️ Hot News on the Ice! National Team Selection Results & Skating World Issues! - 2026.04.09 | Short Track

Hello, short track super fans! It's your editor '빙판위질주러'! 😆 This week, a lot of dynamic news poured in from both inside and outside the rink. Let's dive right into the spectacular skating news that will make you shout "Comeback!" and "Overtake!" 🚀

👑 Choi Min-jeong's Dominant 1st Place & Bittersweet Farewell Notice

Our 'Short Track Legend' Choi Min-jeong took 1st place overall in the women's division at the 2026-2027 National Team 1st Selection Competition ^[1]! After warming up with a 3rd place finish in the 1500m on the first day, Choi Min-jeong proudly claimed the top spot by finishing 1st in the 500m the next day and 1st in the 1000m on the final day ^[1]. Even though she had to take painkillers due to her knee's cruciate ligament condition, she perfectly proved that form is temporary but class is permanent with her dynamic outer-course overtakes 😭 ^[1].

However, along with the good news came a surprise announcement. She personally revealed that if she is selected for the national team this time, the 2026-2027 season will be her last season competing as a national team member ^[2]. She made this decision because she wants to say her final goodbyes in front of domestic fans at the World Championships held in Seoul next year in March 2027 ^[2]. Although we won't see her on the Olympic stage anymore, we sincerely hope she finishes the remaining 2nd selection safely and shows us a spectacular last dance in the upcoming season! 🙏

🗣️ Hwang Dae-heon's Statement After 7 Years

Hwang Dae-heon recently tackled the controversies surrounding him head-on by releasing an official statement ^[3]. First, he opened up about the 2019 incident with Lin Xiaojun (Im Hyo-jun), stating that during training, not only his pants but also his underwear were pulled down, leaving him deeply humiliated as his buttocks were exposed ^[3]. Furthermore, he expressed his frustration that instead of a proper apology, he was mocked and later forced to sign a confirmation letter against his will ^[3].

He also clarified the frequent collisions with Park Ji-won last season. He explained, "I never once intentionally thought of harming anyone," and that the incidents occurred because his aggressive racing style utilizing speed clashed with Park Ji-won's stable racing style ^[3]. Meanwhile, Lin Xiaojun also recently expressed his feelings about his decision to naturalize as a Chinese citizen in an interview with Chinese media. He shared, "Because I wanted to keep skating and return to the rink quickly, the decision to naturalize was not very difficult or hard" ^[4]. We hope both athletes will show their best from their respective positions!

🎟️ National Team Selection Ticketing Controversy

Recently, the Korea Skating Union made the unprecedented decision to sell all seats for the 2nd short track selection competition, sparking huge controversy among fans ^[5]. At a time when more public interest is needed, there was massive backlash when it was revealed that they initially planned to sell tickets even to the participating athletes and coaches 😱 ^[5].

In response, national team athlete Noh Do-hee posted a sharp critique on her SNS. She shared her honest feelings as an athlete, saying, "You should be promoting to make people more interested in short track and bring them in, but tickets?... Many of my acquaintances don't even know the Olympics happened. I'm so upset" ^[5]. As public criticism grew fierce, the union reportedly changed its policy to provide one free ticket per athlete and coach ^[5]. If our short track is to receive more love from fans, it seems we need more attentive administration that listens deeply to the voices of the athletes competing on the field and the fans! 🤔

⚾ Kim Gil-li to Take the Baseball Mound!

The new queen of the ice, Kim Gil-li, who shines as a double gold medalist at the Milano Olympics, will step up as the ceremonial first pitcher wishing for victory at the KIA Tigers home game in Gwangju on the 16th ^[6]! Famous for being a huge 'true fan' who regularly watches KIA baseball, Kim Gil-li made headlines among baseball fans when she performed Kim Do-young's ceremony on the podium after winning a gold medal at the Winter Asian Games last year ^[6].

Stepping onto the Champions Field mound for the second consecutive year following last year's opening series, Kim Gil-li shared her overwhelming thoughts, saying, "I brought a lot of good energy from winning two Olympic gold medals" ^[6]. Let's all cheer together so that the golden energy that fearlessly dashed across the ice can be fully transmitted to the baseball stadium 🥇✨!

That's all the news I have prepared for today! Let's all raise our voices and cheer for our athletes to race safely and without regrets at the 2nd selection competition held at Mokdong Ice Rink on the 11th and 12th! I'll be back next week packed with more thrilling and fun news! Bye~ 👋