Short track speed skating legend Choi Min-jeong, South Korea’s most decorated Olympian, won the national team trials Sunday for what will be her final international season.
Choi finished first overall in the women’s competition following the conclusion of the two-stage national team trials for the 2026-2027 season at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul.
In the first phase of the trials held last week, Choi had finished first in the 500 meters and 1,000 meters, and in third in the 1,500 meters. In the second round, Choi won the 500m and 1,500m finals Saturday and captured the 1,000m title for good measure Sunday.
Choi, who has won more Olympic medals than any other South Korean athlete with seven, announced Thursday that the 2026-2027 campaign will be her final one representing the country internationally. At the end of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in February, Choi had said she would not compete in future Olympics but left the door open for skating at other international events.
Choi Min-jeong (2nd from R) competes in the women’s 1,000-meter final at the short track speed skating national team trials for the 2026-2027 season at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul on April 12, 2026. (Yonhap)
Choi Min-jeong (2nd from R) competes in the women’s 1,000-meter final at the short track speed skating national team trials for the 2026-2027 season at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul on April 12, 2026. (Yonhap)
If Choi sticks to her retirement plans, then her final international event will be the 2027 world championships in Seoul.
“I want to put on a great show for fans in Korea at my final international competition,” said Choi, who skated through knee pains this weekend. “Now that my season is over, I will focus on rehabbing my injury and getting ready for the new season.”
Choi, 27, plans to skate at domestic events following the 2026-2027 season.
Choi’s teammate at this year’s Winter Olympics, Shim Suk-hee, finished second overall.
Another member of the Olympic squad, Kim Gil-li, earned an automatic berth for the 2026-2027 season after winning two individual gold medals at the world championships last month.
Choi, Shim and Kim will be eligible to compete in all individual events and the relays next season. The next two best skaters from the trials, Kim Min-ji and Choi Ji-hyun, will be eligible for relays.
On the men’s side, Lee Jeong-min, who helped South Korea take silver in the 5,000m relay at the 2026 Olympics, finished first overall, followed by Kim Tae-sung. They’re joined by Rim Jong-un, a two-time world champion from March, as the three skaters eligible for all individual races next season.
Bae Seo-chan and Shin Dong-min will be the men’s relay members.
By Yoo Jee-ho, jeeho@yna.co.kr
Yonhap News
